Incense and Sensibility (The Rajes #3) - Sonali Dev Page 0,86
a life without her in it. But I’m still here. I got lucky. The significantly more important thing is that every year thousands of people cry over bodies of loved ones taken by gun violence. Right now, my bodyguard, Abdullah Khan . . .” He worked hard not to let his voice crack; he would not cheapen Abdul’s tragedy any more than he already had by letting it turn into a stump theme.
“Even as we sit here, Abdul lies in a coma. Every day his chance of surviving goes down. He has a family, a wife who hasn’t left the hospital since it happened two days after she gave birth to their first child.” The silence in the studio was deafening, but the silence inside Yash was more desolate than anything he’d ever felt. “We need to protect people better. We need to not be beholden to the gun lobby and the lies it propagates for profit. There’s work to be done, Anne.”
For a few seconds, no one spoke. Then Naina gave the camera a look that said, Isn’t he awesome? What did I tell you?
A look Anne mirrored. A look that sobered the gleam in her eye. With a professional nod she switched to political questions.
At the end of the interview, Anne, now firmly in her serious journalistic stance, asked Naina about her plans. “We’ve talked about Yash’s achievements, but you’re something of a trailblazer yourself. You’ve dedicated the past decade of your life to bringing economic freedom to rural women across the globe.” They played a clip summarizing the amazing work Naina’s foundation was doing. “I believe there’s some good news on that front.”
“Yes, the Mehta Foundation just pledged a large endowment to us, completely changing our reach and what we can accomplish. I just accepted the position to manage research and growth here in San Francisco.”
“A much easier commute to Sacramento than Nepal, right?” Anne smiled, and Yash had a sense of someone tightening a straitjacket around him.
Naina returned Anne’s smile. “It will be lovely to be closer to Yash, but really Yash and I have always put our commitment to our work above everything else. I’m sure he’s happy to have me around, but California is Yash’s true love.”
By the time the cameras turned off, the energy in the audience had turned into a solid block of support.
Rico was waiting for them when they got off the stage, victory writ large on his face. “That might have been the most successful TV interview a politician has ever given.” To Rico’s credit, the jubilation was tempered with fierce purpose. Naina looked that way too. Her faith in him was not a lie. That much Yash did know.
The cameras had a field day as Naina took Yash’s hand and they followed Rico out of the studio.
Chapter Eighteen
He’s not coming back, baby.” India stroked the folds on Chutney’s head and she let out a whine.
India tried not to dwell on how perfectly the whine verbalized her own feelings.
Chutney had taken to sitting at the living room window on the back of the couch and staring out at the spot from where Yash had waved to her two weeks ago. Needless to say, Chutney wasn’t the only one doing it.
India wrapped her arms around her dog’s barrel-shaped body and rested her chin on her head. “You were a very good girl,” she whispered. “You helped him get back on his feet. Remember how his eyes lit up every time he saw you, every time you let him rub your belly? That was very generous of you. To give him that.” She gave her another gentle squeeze and the sweet baby squeak-purred.
“I know it hurts. I know you’re not used to hurting like this. I know you always keep your emotions in perspective, yet somehow he always slips past all your defenses. But don’t worry, you will figure out what to do with the hurt. You’re a strong girl. The strongest.”
“She might be the strongest, but can she survive you smothering her like that?” China said, coming into the room and making Chutney thump the couch with her tail.
“She needed hugs.” India let go of Chutney, and she turned to lick India’s face.
“She is a needy slut like that.” China sank into the couch and Chutney transferred her worshipful kisses to her. “She hides it well. But maybe she’s just like everyone else and does need the occasional cuddling.”
India ignored China’s loaded glance and pulled her knees to her chest. Her