Chapter 16

Meet The Piano Man

KABIR

I sit a block away from her town house, staring at the clock on my dashboard. We agreed on five p.m. and I'm impatiently willing the clock to move, the wait now is killing me. I have been sitting here for an hour already, I don't want to be late, luckily I only have an half hour left to go before I can knock.

I try to lean back and relax into the leather of the seat, but I can't.

"Hey you?" A man with sandy brown hair knocks on my window.

What the hell?

"Yes?" I ask and I can see my personal bodyguard, two cars behind me, step out of his car. I wanted to do this alone, but I knew he would follow. I pay him to do so, even if it means not listening to me at times.

"Look dude, if you get out here now, I won't call the cops." He glares at me, eyeing the black Audi I sit in.

"You're going to call the cops? For what?" I ask as I open the door to stand outside.

He takes a step back but doesn't back down... impressive for a guy wearing a bright ass pink shirt.

"You've been here for an hour checking out Janvi's house. Now I don't know who you are, but you got to go." He says crossing his arms.

He knows her? Janvi...Pooja.

Leaning onto my car, I look to my bodyguard, shaking my head as he walks towards us. He pauses, eyeing the strange man before me.

"You know Janvi?" I ask him.

"So I am right, you're stalking her house." He snaps, already dialing what I presume is the police. However, a simple looking woman with short brown hair rushes to stop him.

"Rudra, it's fine I know who he is?" She hurriedly tells him.

He looks at her strangely, then at me; "You know fancy puss here?"

Fancy puss? I'm wearing jeans, a button down shirt and a vest. I'm not sure how causal was too casual for a supposed piano teacher.

The woman smacks his arm before turning to me.

"Kabir right?" She asks quickly.

"Yes, apparently you do know me and you are?" I ask, taking her hand as she extends it.

"I'm Mansi, Mansi and this is my husband Rudra. You're here to teach Abeer right? Janvi and I are close friends." She smiles kindly and I can tell she knows much more than her husband does. The same husband who is looking me over as if I were a snake.

"With a car like that maybe I should become a piano teacher." He relaxes infinitesimally, reaching out to shake my hand... and of course his grip is harder than necessary.

"Abeer is going to flip out, he's been smashing his fingers against the keys of the piano since it arrived." Mansi laughs and I smile despite the ache in my chest.

I wish I could have seen that.

"Well Mr. Piano Man, you can teach him all the fancy stuff but at the end of the day I'm going to make sure he gets dirt on his clothes. Janvi won't let me teach him football but soccer season is just around the corner." He snickers checking his watch, "Damn baby, I got to get to the office. It was nice meeting you Kabir. Sorry about the tough guy act. Janvi's a single mom, someone's got to watch her back."

He kisses her cheek and wave to me as he jogs back to his beat up car.

Janvi's a single mom; someone's got to watch her back.

Janvi won't let me teach him football but soccer season is just around the corner.

His words play over and over on a loop in my head, slapping me across the face each time it does.

"Sorry about that he's not really in the know." Mansi whispers before tilting her head to look at me from another angle. I'm not sure if it helps her to read me or what but I don't really care.

"But you are?"

"Oh, I'm so in the loop I'm using it as hula hoop." She jokes with a large smile spreading across her face. I can tell why Pooja likes her.... It takes me a moment but it finally hits me.

"You're Anna from the book, the nurse who took her in." I whisper, she was also the one who took her journal and sent it in; the reason I found her.

"Yep, that's me. Even though I'm sure she could have found a name more interesting than Anna right." She sighs.

I'm not sure what to say. I feel as if I owe her so much and yet I don't even know her.

"Mrs. Oberoi—"

"Just Mansi please." She smiles.

I only stare at her unsure of what I want to say; "Thank you. For everything you did for her, for him."

"Believe me if the roles were reversed I'm sure Pooja would do the same for me." She winks before nodding for me to look across the street.

I feel as if someone has knocked the air out me. There they were; Pooja and—my— son. My son. They walk hand in hand, carrying groceries with the other. As beautiful as Pooja is I am more captivated by the brown haired little boy beside her. I have no clue what he's talking about but he seems very enthusiastic about whatever it is. He also seems to be speaking rapidly, I'm not even sure if Pooja knows what he's saying but she laughs anyways and nods. He hugs the bread to his chest as they walk up the yellow brick town house, with the black shutters.

"You've been waiting for over an hour. I'm sure she can forgive you for being ten minutes early." Mansi says.

"You think?"

"Yes, now go over there and win them over... slowly but surely. I'm rooting for a happily ever after, Mr. Billionaire." She grins giving me a wink before turning around to head back to her home.

I take a deep breath before jogging over to the door. I feel odd, like all my excitement, joy, fear, and worry are wrapped up in one. Noticing a phone on the ground, I reach down to pick it up and when I do the door opens.

"Hi."

POOJA

"Hold on Abeer, I think I dropped my phone." I tell him as I drop the brown bags on the kitchen counter. Rushing to the door, I open it only to find a pair of emerald eyes staring at me.

"Hi." He whispers while rising.

"Hi." I whisper back.

"I think you dropped this." He hands me my phone.

Taking it quickly, I swallow; "I thought you were coming at five?"

"Yea, I'm a little early, I'm sorry." He says, I turn to look at the clock at it was already 4:51pm. Holy shit, I hadn't even realized how late it had gotten.

"Mommy?" Abeer come up behind me.

"Hey little bear come here." I bend down, opening my arms for him. He charges me, wrapping his little arms around my neck as I lift him.

"Who is this mommy?" He asks staring at Kabir, who stares back at him. I wonder if it's like looking into a mirror of the past for him.

I'm not sure how to answer his question. We hadn't had this talk yet, mostly because I wasn't sure how to even begin.

"I'm Kabir Mittal, your piano teacher."

Abeer's eyes go wide as he looks back to me; "Really!"

"Yes really! You think I bought that piano for nothing?" I laughs, kissing his cherubic cheek.

"Hi, I'm Abeer" He reaches out to shake Kabirs hand "I promise to work really really hard! Will you teach me old McDonald, my friend already knows how to play it."

"I will teach you anything you want, but you should learn the basics first." Kabir replies with a soft grin.

"Abeer, why don't you go wash up and get ready." I tell him, placing him on the ground.

He nods at me before looking up to Kabir. He holds his hands up, as if to stop Kabir from moving; "Don't go anywhere." He stresses.

"Abeer, can he at least come in?" I laugh.

He gives me another 'don't be silly mommy' look; "Of course mommy. He can't teach me outside."

"Well of course, how could I be so silly, would you like to invite him in properly so Mr. Mittal doesn't think we are rude?"

"You can come in Mr. Mittal." He says. The moment Kabir steps in, I try to ignore his familiar scent.

"Thank you Abeer, you can call me Kabir, if you like." Kabir looks to me and I nod in agreement. It was odd that Abeer called him Mr. Mittal anyway.

"I'll be back." he says turning and running up the staircase as quickly as his little legs can.

"Be careful Abeer, no running!" I tilt my head to watch as he reluctantly slows his tiny feet.

I can feel Kabir, his presence scorching me but I say nothing choosing instead to close the door.

"Pooja—"

"Kabir," I cut him off before he can say something that... well, that made me unable to resist doing something I can not afford to. "Abeer, is special."

"I know that."

"No you don't," I say causing his face fall and his jaw to clench. "No Kabir, I don't mean it the way you're thinking. I mean Abeer is really special. He's gifted. I'm not sure if you noticed, but not many three year olds have his vocabulary."

"I did." He says confused and I want to laugh. He has that look where his brows are bunched together and his head is tilted to the side, just like Abeer does.

"Well, maybe you don't see anything different about that since you weren't a normal three year old either. He's amazing, but you can't lie to him."

"I wouldn't—"

"Not even small lies, Kabir. I told him once I wasn't feeling well because a few friends wanted us to go out. He tried to call a doctor every moment I looked away. He doesn't do well with sarcasm either, he takes everything literally. He loves the color green so don't be surprised if he—"

"Pooja, you're rambling." He smiles at me.

Dropping my head, I nod; "Yeah, I am, I'm nervous. I just want this to go well for him... and you I guess."

He leans in and I take a step back but the damn stupid door corners me in. He reaches up to brush my hair along my neck.

"Kabir, please doesn't." I beg, fighting the urge to lean into his palm. "You're here for Abeer"

"I'm here for the both of you Pooja. You and Abeer, I will do whatever it takes to win you both over."

Abeer comes down the stairs, loudly jumping from the second step.

"Abeer—"

"Sorry mommy." He grins.

Pulling away from Kabir, thankfully, I cross my arms in front of myself and stand before my son; "I'm starting to think you're not really sorry little bear."

He crosses his hands while giggling at me.

"How about we escape to the piano?" Kabir asks him quickly.

"Follow me!" Abeer grabs Kabir's hand, pulling him to the living room.

They both laugh and for a quick second, I feel left out. I feel as if they are in a special boys only club. However, when that second passes, I regain my composure and sanity and really look at them, my heart warms at the sight, it's a good feeling, great even. They meshed together with ease; as if it's natural for them and in some ways, it reminds me of how natural it was for Kabir and I.

At first I wanted to put the piano in the basement, it was the most logical, but I can't spy on them if they were down there. Instead, I chose the living room, I could see them easily from the kitchen. I could cook and keep an eye on them both.

Kabir kneels at the green bench, lifting the seat and pulling out a few books.

"Where did those come from?" I ask out loud.

The both look at me as if they forgot I was here.

"Brand new pianos always come with this stuff." Kabir says and Abeer just looks at me with a look that I refer to as his 'Obviously Mommy' look.

You didn't know either!

"This is a very nice Baby Grand, you have to take care of it." He says to Abeer.

"It's good, but a green one would be better." Abeer glances to me as he says this.

"You know the deal. If you stick to it, we can paint it green." I remind him. Kabir looks between us, a small grin on his lips.

I nod before turning around to pay attention to the pasta sauce in front of me.

KABIR

"Okay C." I press the key for him.

He nods before following my action; "C."

He's so... incredible. I hadn't really understood what Pooja had meant when she said he was gifted until I really listened to him, his words and his vocabulary. He speaks as if he is an older child, not a toddler. We had gone over all the parts making up the piano and now he could recite it without help. Now we're working on the basic keys and again he shows the same capability, it's astonishing to watch from the outside and unlike anything I've heard or read about toddlers.

"D." I sing.

"D." He copies me.

"E, F."

"E. F. G." He adds the next note without my prompt, instead choosing to copy from the book in front of us. "A. B. C"

I pause, looking back to Pooja who just smiles before moving over to the fridge to get some eggs. I wonder how often she's left in awe of him.

"Go back to this one for the second C." I say to him, taking his finger and placing it on the right key. He leans over as far as his little body can, looking at all the keys before nodding,

"C. D. E. F. G. A. B. C" He plays them all without pause or mistake back to me,

He replays them again, better than the previous set.

"Can you do it backwards?"

"C. B. A. G. F. E. D. C," He pauses, looking to me; "Right?"

"Yeah Abeer, you're amazing, a born natural."

He grins wide; "Yep. I say that to mommy too. Who showed you to play Kabir?"

"I taught myself."

"Really? Can I teach myself?"

"What, are you trying to get me already?" I joke, but at the same time I'm nervous for his response.

He frowns; "No, I like you Kabir."

How can four little words make me feel so much at one time?

"I like you too Abeer."

"I know, everyone likes me." His eyes seems to sparkle as he smiles.

"Aye little bear, what did I tell you."

"Be humble." He sighs, leaning to me; "Mommy always says I will get a big head. But my head is gonna get big anyway when I grow."

I can't help it, I laugh; "Always listen to your mom Abeer no matter what, she's very smart."

"Do you listen to your mommy?" He looks at me seriously and for a moment I feel as if I'm standing trial. Jeez.

"I try." I don't want to lie. "I really try. Do you want to try a song?"

"YES!"

"Don't yell." Pooja and I say at the same time. I keep forgetting she was right behind us. However, instead of being in the kitchen, she sits by the window curled up in the corner with a book in her lap.

She looks so perfect, her hair is just slightly messy and she has what looks to be breadcrumbs on her sleeves. But the very fact that she isn't put together and that she is so comfortable made me comfortable. It made me feel as if I were home. Just us; her, Abeer and I.

"Kabir?"

"Yea buddy?" Buddy? It just came out.

"Is this right?" He plays the keys of Mary Had a Little Lamb following along with the book slowly. He plays the first line and looks up to me waiting for me to nod before continuing.

I wish we could have kept going, but eventually Pooja gets up and walks to over to us.

"It's time for dinner." She says with a sad smile. "Kabir has to head home before the roads get to bad."

"Will you be back tomorrow?" Abeer frowns, looking to me.

All I can do is look at Pooja.

"How many times do you want to have lessons Abeer?" She asks him. I know what she's doing, she's trying to absolve herself from choosing how many times I can come over. I look to Abeer and mentally pray. He tilts his head to the side, looking to me.

"Every day but Thursday!" He grins.

Six days a week.

Pooja bites her bottom lip; "Abeer, Kabir has another job."

"Don't worry, I can get everything done before five."

"Yea mommy, don't worry." Abeer repeats, sitting up on his knees.

"Well," she forces a small smile; "every day but Thursday it is. Now go wash up for dinner."

"But I just washed up." He groans.

"Abeer." She crosses her arms.

"Fine. Bye Kabir see you tomorrow." He says and just like that, he's gone, running off away from me.

"Bye." I whisper. I don't want to leave, but I don't want to push her either. "What happens on Thursdays?"

"We have junk food and watch movies." She whispers.

"Fun." I mutter as we walk to the front door.

I'm not sure what to say. It feels as if we live in a house made of eggshells.

"Today was good." Pooja says.

"It was like a dream for me." It really was. "If six times is too much—"

"We can't lie to him remember. Every day but Thursday." She nods, opening for door.

"Pooja we can—"

"No we can't. And yes I know what you're going to say because I know you, Kabir. When you want something, you go after it until it's yours. It's what you do. It's why you tracked me down before you even read my book."

"No, I tracked you down because I loved you." I snap, "I love you and I was hurt. Now I'm here, willing to work with you."

"Than work with me. Work with me to raise Abeer. He is my only concern. I have to put him before you and myself."

"So you do still care."

She looks as though she wants to scream but pulls herself together before opening the door for me.

"Goodnight Kabir."

"Goodnight and thank you for today." I say stepping outside, I hadn't even realized how dark it was.

"Kabir?"

"Yea?"

She looks around outside, hugging herself; "I'm glad you came. I will always care despite my better judgment and please be careful going back home."

She closes the door before I can reply.

"I will." I say to the door. My entire life is behind it and all I want to do is be with them.

POOJA

I lean against the door, trying to breathe.

Six Days of Kabir Mittal? I am not going to make it. Tonight alone almost killed me, it hurt watching him with Abeer. It hurt in the best kind of way, like a burning that resonated deep within me. But he has issues. I have issues and when we were together, it was toxic. The best thing that came out our union was Abeer. I don't want us to ruin that.

"Mommy?" Abeer stops on the stairs.

Pushing off the door quickly, I go to him, picking him up and into my arms.

"You were a amazing little bear." I kiss his cheek.

"Mommy!" He giggles.

He's happy. He's okay and he's going to have both his mother and father, just not their drama.

Chapter 17

The Six Days of Kabir pt.1

POOJA

Day 2

Abeer rests in my arms peacefully, listening to the music floating around us. He had done all his homework and I had finished everything I wanted do for the day. I thought we could go to the park, however, he asked to listen to music instead, so here we are. Its funny, some parents fear their child will left behind in school or just not able to keep up, whether it be academically or socially, the worry is always there. I on the other hand am worried I'm going to be the one to fall behind. He's three... in two weeks he will be four. What's he going to be doing when he's ten, building rockets? According to his assessment, by five he should be using scientific terminology I can not even try to understand. It seems crazy, but in all honestly, there is a possibility... it's a slim one... very slim. All the specialists I had taken him to had said he is highly gifted but the probability of him doing something truly unheard of was low. But there was still that chance and it scared me as much as it thrilled me.

"Mommy?" Abeer whispers, breaking me from my ruminations.

"Yes little bear?" I ask, brushing his hair from his forehead.

"Why does Kabir look like me?"

I froze and I think my heart did also. I looked down at him, trying to meet his gaze, however he seems to be lost in his own head... I wonder deep that is.

"You think Kabir looks like you?" What else can I do but repeat the question?

"We have the same eyes. The same hair, his nose is bigger, but it's like mine. Aunty Man has the same nose as her mommy and Uncle Rudra has the same eyes as his daddy." He's really focused on this, using his hands to show me the connections he's making... this is exactly what I worry about.

I kiss his little fingers and he grins at me; "Do you see anything I have that you have too?"

"Of course mommy!" He giggles as if it were obvious, however I don't see it. He's all Kabir.

"Well, tell mommy then."

He points to our skin; "We are the same color. Kabir's is darker. Mansi's is more yellow, like her mommy's. Uncle Rudra's change in the sun."

He giggles again at Uncle Rudra mostly, because he's right, Rudra's always changing colors. If it's cold, he gets pink, if it's warm, he tans and even burns.

"Is there anything else we have in common?"

He nods, pulling on both of our ears; "These are the same too."

I hold onto my ear and his before pulling him into a tight hug. "Why don't you ask Kabir why you look alike when he comes over."

"Okay." He says simply before releasing me.

When the doorbell rings, my first instinct is to look at the time. It's only four. He wouldn't come an hour early, would he?

"Mommy, door." Abeer says, moving over to his books on the ground.

"Thank you, Abeer." I laugh as I walk over to it. Looking out of the peephole, I see Mansi holding up a blurry photo.

"Oh my god." I gasp, opening the door; "Is that what I think it is?"

"You mean a picture of the tiny person living in a bubble of fluid within me?" She grins before stepping in. "Why yes, yes it is."

She hands me the ultrasound photo and I hold it up to the light as if I have any idea what I'm looking at. I couldn't even make heads or tails of my own with Abeer.

"I'm so happy for you Mansi." I say, hugging her.

"You have a tiny person inside of you?" Abeer looks at her as if she were an alien... now that was a three-year-old response. So much for the whole the 'stork comes to give us a baby' talk.

"Yes Abeer, but he or she is going to grow until they are ready to come out." Mansi tries to explain, but his face doesn't change. He does however come closer to her stomach... he's confused and because he's Abeer, he has to figure it out before moving on.

"But won't you pop like a balloon when they want to come out." He asks seriously while staring at her stomach.

"Ouch." Mansi looks to me.

Yeah, ouch.

"Aunty Man is going to be fine. You were inside me and I didn't pop. She's going to get bigger and bigger and then the doctors will get the baby out." I say to him, he looks at my stomach and then back at Mansi. He seems to be really concentrating before he nods resolutely.

"Can I say hi?" He asks.

Mansi wipes the tears from her eyes "Aww, of course Abeer."

He walks right up to her stomach and then stopped to look at her; "Does the baby have a name?"

"No, not until it's bigger."

Nodding, he looks back to her stomach; "Hi Baby, I'm Abeer. Grow big so we can play, ok?"

He kisses her stomach before turning around and a walking back into the living room.

"I want him, he is just so precious." Mansi cries.

"You're going to have your own before you know it, then we'll see." I laugh, leading her to the kitchen.

"How about we talk about the billionaire hottie and his magical piano hands."

"Mansi!"

"What? I'm pregnant, not dead. You never told me what happened yesterday anyways." She says, taking an orange out of the bowl and peeling it.

"Nothing happened, he taught Abeer and that was it." I mutter, suddenly feeling the need to bake cookies.

"Oh come on Pooja, you didn't grab him by the hair and kiss him senseless? Do you need to read that email again?" She pouts at me.

"Mansi," I sigh, running my hand through my hair; "I can't be involved with him."

"Why? He's not married—"

"He was though!" I snap.

"Okay, now I'm confused. So you're mad at him?"

"Yes I'm mad at him and I'm even more pissed at myself. Mansi we knew each other for all of six seconds before we..." I lower my voice, "Before we went at it in the bathroom of my school. He still got married... and I knew he would. I said yes to become his plaything. I sold myself to him; I opened myself up to humiliation, insults, and embarrassment, not to mention his mood swings, because he told me he could give me the world. I think I wanted him more than I wanted anything else. He gave me so much. But I went from depending on Dad to depending on Kabir. Both times I got burned. It was my fault, I know I made my own choices. I'm finally standing on my own two feet. No Kabir. No Dad. I don't want to return to that place. I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle his demons, his family, and his world... I don't want complicated anymore. An email doesn't change that."

I feel my shoulders drop once I finish and all Mansi does is chew slowly.

"Well," She stands straighter, "I'm going to go home and make love to my husband—"

"Mansi..."

"We are going to wrap around each other and laugh while thinking of baby names that will just be god awful, but it will make us laugh. You can stay here by yourself and keep pretending, because you're never not going to have complicated. Either find someone else and forever pretend to be Janvi Kapoors, millionaire best selling author, who has a son that just happens to be identical to billionaire Kabir Mittal who comes to visit multiple times a week and when he does your knees practically give out... yeah not complicated at all." She sighs before walking to the door; "Figure it out, because I would definitely choose the guy who arrives an hour early, waits in his car just so he doesn't lose a minute with you and his son."

I don't reply, I can't. Walking to the door, I watch as she crosses the street and wave to the black Audi parked just down our street. He flashes his lights at her but doesn't step out.

He comes an hour early?

"Abeer?" I say walking into the living room expecting him to be reading or playing. However, he's curled up on the couch holding his favorite stuffed toy elephant. The moment he saw it at the zoo, he looked to me with those big eyes at that moment, I would've picked a star out of the sky if he asked for it.

Sighing, I pull out my phone to text Kabir.

I see you in your car. You can come in if you would like. We need to talk anyway.

It couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes, maybe two when the I hear a shuffling outside the door. Opening it before he can ring, he stares at me confused and worried... always worried.

"Are you guys alright?"

"We're fine, keep voice down, Abeer is taking a nap."

He nods, stepping in when I move aside for him to enter. "Do you mind if I see him? I won't make a sound, I promise."

"Okay," Walking over to the living room, I stop at the entrance as he continues in. He watches Abeer's as he squeezes Mr. Einstein. Brushing his hair back, Kabir leans down and kisses his head. The action causes my breath to catch and my eyes to sting. I realize the significance of the moment, it's the first time he's touched Abeer with any sort of paternal affection and a part of me breaks just acknowledging this fact.

"Do you think he will wake up for his lesson?" He whispers to me but keeps his eye on Abeer.

"I'll wake him up. He will be sad if he misses it, plus I want him to sleep through the night." I say, he looks relieved as he comes back towards me.

"Thank you." I hate when he looks at me like that. It makes me want to...

"No need. He wants to ask you something."

"What?" He glances back to the couch Abeer has chosen for his nap.

Breathe Pooja, Breathe.

"He wants to know why you both look alike and I think you should tell him." I say softly, walking back to the kitchen.

He follows, I could feel him; "You want me to tell him I'm his father?"

"You don't want to—"

"No, I do. Believe me, I do. I just thought you would want me to go slow."

"I do," In all ways. "But he asked me and like I said, you can't lie to Abeer. I told him you were his piano teacher and you are. You can be his father too. Just like I'm his teacher and mommy."

"Do you know what else he'll ask?" He looks like Abeer, trying to piece together a mystery or perplexed over something he can't figure out.

"I have no idea. But tell him the truth... enough of the truth so he can understand it. I would have told him myself but I think it will be good for you both." Maybe bind them in some way.

"Thank you Pooja—Janvi?" He snickers and so did I. "What name does he know you by?"

"Just mommy, or mama bear, or if he is really out of it 'mmmmz'." I laugh.

"I don't mean this as an insult, but you've done an amazing job with him."

I not sure why that meant as much as it did, but all I could do wass nod and let out a small; "Thanks."

"I'm sorry you missed three years. I hope he doesn't remember not having you around." I add.

He flinches but nods; "So am I and he will. Hopefully we can add new memories, but he will never forget, trust me."

"You remember your life at three?"

"Not all of it of course, but little things."

Bad things? I want, to ask but I don't want to open that box.

"I didn't do it to hurt you." I really didn't.

"I know." He tries to smile but it only made his grimace more prominent; "It would have been messy, Tanya, my family, the media. The great thing about Vermont is everyone minds their own business, no one seems to care or even know who I am. Prefect place to hide."

"I know." That's why I came here.

There's a small thud followed by crying and before either of can blink, we run toward the living room. Abeer's holding onto the back of his head crying.

"Mommy!" He reaches up for me and I pick him up, rocking him in my arms.

"What happened little bear?"

"Mr. Einstein, fell and..." He hiccups, "I ... I ...reached for him..."

Kabir picks the elephant off the ground, handing it to him. Abeer takes it and holds it close to his chest.

"Thank you."

"No problem buddy. You have to be careful, okay? You could have really hurt yourself." Kabir says to him.

Abeer nods, pressing his face to my neck; "Can we still play the piano? I practiced."

"Why don't I go get a wash cloth for your face and some juice while you and Kabir talk." I move to hand him to Kabir but Kabir's eyes widen into big orbs of fear. Its kind of funny.

Placing Abeer on the chair, I kiss his head before giving them room... I'll get the juice later, I want to hear what they're saying.

KABIR

"Are you sure you're okay? We can call a doctor?" I sit beside him

He shakes his head fast; "No! I don't want shots."

No it is then.

"Don't shake your head, it will hurt more" He stops right away, placing his chin on top of the stuffed animal. "Why did you name himMr. Einstein?"

"Aunty Mansi calls me Einstein because she says I'm smart. The man at the zoo said Elephants are the smartest, so his name had to be Mr. Einstein." Even a simple name has to be logical for him. I feel as if he were a second from rolling his eyes at me and say 'duh'.

"Your mom said you wanted to ask me something?"

He tilts his head to the side before turning to face me; "Right! Why do you look like me, Kabir?"

Why am I nervous? What if he's disappointed? He waits and I smile, trying to ease my nerves without making it obvious I was freaking out inside.

"Well, I'm your father Abeer, so it makes sense that we look alike."

"Why are you here just now?"

Good question. Long story.

"I was hurt and couldn't leave the hospital for a while, then some other things happened but I finally got to see you again."

He frowns, sitting up on his knees to give me a hug; "I'm sorry you were hurt daddy. But you're better right?" I don't want to scare him so I hold in the tears that I'm sure are shining in my eyes. I didn't think I would react like this, but hearing him call me 'daddy' without hesitation... it breaks my heart yet heals a large part of it in the same instance.

"Yes, much better." I wrap my arms around him and I never want to let go. "I love you Abeer, I'm sorry I wasn't here. I'm so so sorry."

"It's okay daddy, don't be sad. You're here, can we play the piano now?" He asks and I laugh, completely in awe of this little person stuck in a toddlers body.

Pooja walks into the room holding the juice and the rag for him. He walks over, allowing her to help clean his face before taking the juice box.

"Abeer we can't have drink by the piano, if it spills the juice can damage it." I tell him and he drinks it all quickly.

"All done!" He grins, holding it up for me to see.

POOJA

Day 3

Five o'clock became four. Kabir would come over and we would talk as Abeer took a late nap. I'm not sure what exactly we spoke about, but it's never heavy; the weather, silly things Abeer does and says. Abeer behaved as if he were always around. The moment he found out Kabir was his father, the questions started. It's 'Why isn't daddy living here? Is daddy coming over? Will daddy help me with my homework?' If I were a jealous person, I would be pretty annoyed with daddy. His visit today had gone so well that he stayed for dinner and even helped to tuck Abeer in... things were much easier that I would have thought.

"So, I'll be back on Friday?" He asks putting his coat back. I regret that he will miss a day with Abeer, but I don't think if I can handle seven days of Kabir, I'm hardly surviving now and it hasn't even been a week. I need a mental break.

"Yea, Friday." I reply, supporting myself on the door frame; "Kabir, I hate doing this to you—"

He brushes back my hair, pushing me softly up against the door with his body before kissing me. I want to fight him... but I can't. I melt into his arms and lean onto him. His hands go to my thighs lifting me off my feet and wrapping my legs around his waist. Our tongues battle one another as rock into him and he presses harder into me. It feel as if there's nothing between us and I want more of him. However, he breaks away resting his forehead on my own, he searches my eyes and I'm not sure what he sees but it can't be good.

"We can't keep doing this," he says, "We can't keep pretending that there's nothing between us, every part of me craves you, we crave each other. It isn't fair and it isn't right."

"kabir—" He cuts me off with hard kiss before pulling away again.

"No, I'm going to say this before I lose my nerve. I love you Pooja Sharma, Janvi Kapoor, whatever you want to call yourself, I love you. I've said this to you before and I shall say it again. I will keep saying it until you accept it as undeniable fact. I love you now even more than I ever thought possible. You are the mother of my child. These last three days have meant more to me than I can put into words. I ache for you and only you. I may not be perfect, I'm never going to be, but I'm willing to get help... I'll try whatever necessary to deal with my demons so I can be better for you, for Abeer. I'm addicted to you and I think you know exactly how that feels. That night, I was coming to you and I'm here now. I'm finally here. So stop fighting me. I'm not going anywhere." He kisses me once more before placing me back on the ground.

Opening the door, he lets himself out as I stand there stupefied.

DAY 4

I sit with Abeer in my arms watching the tiny yellow minions run about on the tv . Abeer's laughing his little head off, so much so that I worry he'll choke on his popcorn. Each time my mind wanders from him it goes to Kabir.

The very first thing Abeer did this morning was to ask me when his father was coming over. It had only been four days... he was already taking over the most important parts of my life. I can't think clearly, sleep peacefully or even go about my regular routine without him invading my thoughts, damn it. I was breaking. I hadn't realized how badly I missed him until I tried to go this entire day without speaking to him. Every time someone knocks or calls, both Abeer and I perk up, no doubt hoping it will be him.

"Mommy, shhhhhh." Abeer spit at me as he glares at my phone.

"Watch it mister." I laugh before rising from the couch.

Sure enough, if you think long enough about the devil he shall appear or in this case call.

"Hi."

"Hi Pooja, I know you want space. I just want to talk to Abeer. I don't want him to think I forgot about him or him to forget about me. Is that alright?"

It's perfect and sweet.

"Yeah hold on, let me pull him from the Tv." I cover the phone with my hand before addressing our son. "Abeer, it's for you it's...it's your dad."

It's odd saying that. He jumps down quickly, reaching for the phone before he was close enough for me to hand it to him.

"Hi daddy." He grins, as do I. Were they getting attached too quickly? I did the right thing, right? I'm not sure. I worry Abeer is going to get hurt.

"Popcorn, mommy said no more butter. But it is okay." He rats me out.

I glare at the back of his head as he leans over babbling on and on about the movie he's no longer watching.

"Yea I played the piano. I played Mary had a little lamb with my eyes closed." He can. He never stops, all bloody day he played and each time he did, I wanted to string Mary up by her toes.

"Okay, bye daddy, I love you." He hands me the phone before jumping into his seat.

"Abeer."

"No jumping, sorry." He doesn't even look at me. I'm going to have to change up the rules, seeing as Mr. Smarty-pants knew it all.

Kissing his head, I lift the phone to my ears; "Kabir."

"Sorry, I know today is supposed me be without me—"

"No, it's fine. I'm glad you called, I should have clarified. I don't think Abeer is ready to just not hear from you after finding out who you are."

"He's okay, right? I was reading that sometimes children display their anger in other ways when they can't say what they are thinking." He's reading about raising a child?

"You got children's book?" I'm not sure why just the thought of that makes me smile.

He's silent for a moment; "Yeah, I'm not sure what I'm doing and Raghu says reading might help."

"Raghu !" I miss him so much. "The Alfred to your Bruce Wayne, tell him I miss him."

Kabir laughs; "I swear you have a better relationship with him than I do."

"Can you blame me, he's Raghu ?" I giggle.

"Who is Raghu ?" Abeer asks, looking to me.

"Remember when we watched Star Wars and you liked the little green man who knew everything?"

"Yoda! So cool, he is." I can hear Kabir laughing on the line.

"Well Raghu is your daddy's Yoda." It's the best way I can explain it seeing as how we haven't gotten to Batman yet.

"I want a Yoda too."

"You have me." I laugh and he pouts before eating more popcorn. "Sorry about that."

"Don't be, it was amusing and I can't wait to repeat it all to Raghu , I'm sure he will enjoy being called a little green man."

Raghu is not going to like that. "Where are you if you're not home?"

"I'm in New York on business, however I will be flying back tonight."

I look outside, watching the downpour and trying to ignore the flashbacks that come with it.

"Why don't you come back in the morning?" I ask him softly, closing the blinds.

"I'll be fine—"

"You don't know that." I snap, "You don't know when you're not fine until you're in a hospital bed or worse."

He's silent and so am I.

"I'll come back in the morning."

"Thank you, Abeer and I will come to get you, just text me the terminal and arrival time."

He snickers; "Pooja, you're a millionaire and you haven't bought your own jet yet?"

I roll my eyes at him.

"Goodnight Kabir. Send us the address to pick you from your fancy private toy."

Fancy private toy? Really Pooja.

"You don't have to—"

"Abeer, tomorrow you and I are picking up your dad at..." I wait for Kabir's reply.

"Nine, I guess?" Oh right, he can choose whenever he wants to leave.

"At nine, so no staying up late tonight." Abeer just nods before laughing at the movie. "Okay, see you at nine."

"Be careful."

Hanging up was hard, but once I do, I feel so much better than I did before talking to him.

I was sinking deeper and deeper everyday.

Well...I'm sure you all have a lot to say lol