Song of the Firebird

Fifty Seven

Jay let the excruciating pain wash over him soon as he lost his unborn son. When the doctors delivered him the tragic news, both him and Ivy could not get a grip. Moments later, relief flooded over their faces as they understood the first part of the statement.

When Natasha was transferred to a separate room post-surgery, Ivy assured him that she would stay behind for the day and asked Jay to get himself changed owing to the red streaks that were painted over his outfit.

Before reaching his place, Jay got June back from her school. He was able to regain his spirits at the sight of his only puppy which seemed to have got a whiff of what he had been through. He initially did not understand when his therapist recommended a pet to share his place with. One look at June, he was reduced to a baby who no longer had the time to think about a bit of a violence.

When Jay and June reached their apartment, June strayed behind him until he settled down on his couch. With June snuggling around his feet, Jay video-called his brother. When Mandhira answered instead of Jeeva, Jay broke down, unable to confront his sister-in-law. His fingers dragged his black curly mane to cover his eyes while his head hung.

'I'VE LOST HIM AND I'VE ALMOST LOST HER!'

'Paari, Calm down-'

'HOW COULD I? I SAW THEM GO DOWN WITH MY OWN EYES AND I WAS A COWARD TO LET THEM BE!'

'It might not be your fa- '

'NOT MINE!? IT WAS MINE THE ENTIRE TIME!'

'Paari, hold on- '

'HOW COULD I NOT? I SHOULD'VE BEEN THERE SOONER. FOR HER! FOR THEM!'

'Paari, listen-'

'I WAS WEAK AND I COULD NOT BE OF ANY HELP. I- '

'PAARI, MAN UP! NOT ANOTHER WORD BEFORE I SPEAK OUT MY MIND!' A deflated Jay looked at Mandhira, who stared calmly back at him. She continued in a calm voice, 'Jeeva might have blurted out about Natasha being pregnant with your kid. You might not have expected me to accept your call at this moment. I can get you Jeeva if you will wait.'

'That won't be necessary', piped in a third voice behind Mandhira. The eldest of the Kumarans entered the screen. Jeeva patted his wife's shoulder and told her, 'Your parents are watching over the kids.' Mandhira nodded at him before facing Jay.

'Hands away from face, Paari!' If Jay were in the mood for their usual banter, he would counter with an equally bold command. Out of the blue, he obeyed her. When he brought his hands to his sides, the couple behind the screen panicked at his bloodshot eyes. His face marred with sorrow was the last thing they expected as they saved the widest of his smiles in their memories before dropping him off at the airport.

Mandhira gasped as his indignant figure exposed back at them. 'Paari', her tone was soft. She fumbled with her hands before they caught her husband's. Jeeva squeezed her palm under his own, telling her that he was equally aghast at the sight.

Without sparing the details from Natasha's abduction to her rescue, Jay filled them in, unable to contain his hurt. Eyes pooled with tears, Mandhira shook as she slowly picked the story of Natasha's kidnapping. In a way, it reminded her of her own, set during her teens. Even after years passed by, she did not want to be reminded of that incident, let alone something similar happening to one of their family. When she heard about Natasha getting knocked out on the cold floor by Kirk, Mandhira hid her head in Jeeva's chest, letting out the tears drenching his black flannel shirt.

Though Jeeva was the first to pull out of the shock, he could not help himself satisfied at the couple being united, apart from the danger that they had crossed hours ago. He stroked his wife's hair, trying to assure her of good times ahead. Planting a chaste kiss to her forehead, Jeeva turned to his brother.