Chapter 38 Silver Jewels and a Red Stream

Seth took out a silver rectangular box from his backpack. "I have something for you, Kels,"

The little Helmsley Princess beamed up at Seth as he opened the box to reveal a stunning set of twelve small bangles. Four etched bangles in-between eight orange ones, all of them dotted with gold glitter. Kelista's expressing altered drastically as she just stared at the jewels for a moment, before her eyes flickered to her parents.

Seth smiled at Kelista, anticipating her excitement. Aunty Priya had always dressed Kels with bangles since she was a baby. The little Helmsley Princess had quite a few sets of brightly colored bangles covered in glitter. And Seth knew she was very fond of them.

"I noticed you like bangles very much," Seth took her hand to slip a few bangles onto her wrist. "So my mum bought these for y-"

With a small gasp, Kelista pulled her hand back.

Priya held out her hand for the jewellery box. "They're lovely. Thank you, Seth," she said, taking the bangles he held as well as the box. "I'll keep them while you two play,"

Seth was about object; Kels usually wore bangles when they played. But since Aunty Priya had said it firmly and Kels didn't look too happy about his gift, he decided to shrug it off and headed out to the gardens.

The Helmsley Princess stood by her father, filled with confusion and a little trepidation.

"Kels...aren't you coming?" Seth asked, when he noticed Kelista wasn't following him like she usually did.

Priya smiled gently at her daughter. "Seth's calling you sweetie,"

Kelista looked up at her parents relieved before going after her friend.

When Kelista left the gazebo (and out of earshot), Michael asked, "What's going on? This is the first time I've seen Kels not get excited over bangles."

Priya explained the Indian custom and the significance of jewelry for a wedding to her husband. Of course, Michael had learned all he could about his wife's traditions and customs to ensure her happiness and allocate the finances and resources she needed to celebrate/perform them. But there were some customs, like this one, Priya had not told him about before because blessings and gifts are given generously – the bride does not ask for them.

"Good to know," Michael kissed his wife when she had finished explaining their daughter's hesitance.

Priya returned his smile as she got up. "Aren't you coming?"

"Go on ahead, jaan. I'll meet you there,"

Priya's heart swelled at him calling her 'his soulmate' in Hindi. She gave him one last peck before she went to see to the children by the jungle gym.

Still smiling in Priya's direction, Michael made a phone call to his parents. And by the next week, Priya had received her marital blessings from her mother-in-law, Clarisse, – including a set of glass, diamond studded, gold bangles.

~oOo~

Hotel rooftop

When he saw Aryan, the Shield affiliate's heart sank. It was two days sooner than he expected. But why wasn't Pariwar on his way overseas?

The Helmsleys, Rizer and the Shield affiliate watched as Aryan slid down the ladder from his helicopter, and jumped the last few feet to the ground. However, Seth did not fail to notice that Kelista had quietly slipped off her diamond bracelet.

As the Architect was nearest, Aryan spoke to him first. "Hey, Seth," he greeted grasping the Shield affiliate's hand in a firm handshake.

"Aryan," Seth tried to sound cheerful as he nodded in greeting. So...why didn't you go to India...and stay there and leave Kels with...the Architect couldn't help thinking.

Seth deliberately averted his gaze when Aryan turned to greet Kelista, though at least Pariwar didn't go near her yet out of respect for her mother. Aryan then greeted Michael and Rizer in English first before turning to Priya.

"Namaste," he greeted with a salutation.

Priya couldn't help but smile. "Namaste,"

Seth watched as Aryan performed the traditional customs of paying respects, together with a little subtle charm. The Shield affiliate's heart constricted as Priya grew more and more enchanted with Pariwar. Not that the latter was making any effort – Aryan was just being his usual self like when he interacted with Seth – except of course, he treated Priya with respects one should afford an elder.

"How lovely," Priya hugged Aryan. "I can't wait to meet your family,"

"...Yes, my mother is looking forward to meeting you as well," Aryan was saying.

Seth turned to Kelista, who hadn't looked at him the entire time. His heart growing numb, Seth decided to leave, but Priya had the same idea.

"I want to give Kelista her presents," she said to her husband.

Accompanied by Rizer, Priya and Kelista went down the elevator, leaving Seth alone with Michael and Aryan. The Shield affiliate waited and slipped into the elevator once it came back. He didn't want to hear Uncle Mike discuss Kelista's engagement and wedding plans – when she was getting married to someone else.

~oOo~

Park

Mrs. Harro decided to spend at least fifteen minutes with the Reigns'so Sarah wouldn't feel abandoned with the 'strangers.' It wasn't a long time, but Mrs. Harro was needed back at the orphanage. But it seemed that calamity followed the Shield…in and outside of the ring.

And it happened just as the family was walking Mrs. Harro to her car. They had to walk through a makeshift bridge atop a small bank. Below was a shallow river that ran through the Catori Forest. Sarah was at Mrs Harro's side, still unsure of how she felt being left alone with the Reigns'.

It seemed that out of nowhere, a couple of rough, older boys ran past the group, splitting Mrs. Harro and Sarah. The little girl let out a terrified scream as she lost her balance and fell down the bank.

"Sarah!" Roman and Sierra shouted in alarm.

Their little one rolled down the bank, with her skinny body being scratched and bruised by stones and dirt. But that was nothing compared to what was waiting for her at the bottom.

Raquel shrieked. Sarah was heading for the jagged rocks of the stream.

~oOo~

Royal Palms (hotel restaurant)

Alison smiled at the host. "Our usual table please,"

"Right this way, ma'am," the host nodded courteously, quickly recovering from his initial surprise of seeing Alison Palmer with Dean Ambrose. So the rumors were true. Seth Rollins best friend was indeed going out with Kelista's. The gossipmonger host couldn't wait for his break to tweet this 'fact'.

On their way to the (Kelista) Helmsley reserved table, Dean didn't miss the look they got from the 'professional' restaurant staff; Alison however, either didn't notice or most likely, didn't care.

A waitron was already there and took the duo's orders. As they waited for their food, Alison answered Dean's questions about her family. The Shield affiliate was surprised and a little mortified to learn that since her mother died in childbirth, Alison has been raised by her grandparents.

Alison then turned the questions back to the Shield affiliate more out of curiosity than politeness. Dean, however, smoothly avoided the subjected of his family but shared his desire to be a talk show host and his ideas, including the lovable potted plant and a name for the show.

"The Ambrose Asylum?" Alison chortled.

Dean was pleased to hear the fascination and approval in her voice. "You could be my first guest,"

"Maybe interview, Kels." Alison chuckled. "She has an interesting tale to tell of the rumors,"

Dean nodded. "Alright, then you can just co-host with me,"

Alison was having a really hard time to keep from laughing too loud. "I think you and Mitch the Plant will be just fine,"

The food arrived, and thankfully Dean behaved. Conspicuously, that is. It was very hard to pin point the source when food was flying across the restaurant. Or to figure how the mini ornament on display two tables over had mysteriously fallen over. Or how an artichoke had landed in a lady's handbag.

Alison could do nothing but give a lady-like snort into her food. What the Lunatic Fringe was doing with his cutlery – besides the obvious- was highly discourteous in a restaurant like this; but Alison decided to enjoy the moment – after all, those meals which Kelista always insisted they'd be decorous for did get really tedious after a while.

Once they had eaten, Alison pardoned herself and checked her phone for messages from her best friend.

"So...how about we check out the park," Dean suggested. "And see who we can bug there – I vote Roman."

Alison smiled apologetically. "Sounds like fun, but I can't. Kelista's mother is here, and I'm dying to meet her!"

Dean shrugged indifferently, trying to ignore the opposite feeling growing inside him. "Okay, whatever,"

Alison bit her lip, trying hard not to blush at the obvious disappointment he tried to hide. "I'll…see you later, perhaps?" she asked sweetly while getting up.

Dean couldn't help but grin at her tone. "Sure."

"Great," she replied and, to the Shield affiliate's delight, leaned down and pecked his cheek before leaving.

Dean pursed his lips to keep from smirking. Alison should be glad he wasn't standing; the Lunatic Fringe would've wrapped his arms around her and captured her lips in his. With a spring in his step, he left the restaurant and headed over to the park. Alison's friendly and playful attitude that she had with people in general had been changed to being at least slightly smitten with him. He even let go of the fact that he couldn't pay for their lunch like he wanted to (it had automatically went on the Helmsleys' room service bill). But he looked forward to seeing Alison tonight, and taking her out on an actual date.

But as the Shield affiliate walked across the street, his smile faded when he heard a little girl shriek. Dean's stomach dropped and he started running, because following that cry was his big brother's anguished call of panic and … fear.

~oOo~

Alison knocked on Kelista's room door before opening it. "Hey, Kels,"

"Hi, Ali!" Kelista called. "I'm in the closet!"

"Wow, that's so beautiful, Kels," Alison complimented as she entered the dressing room. "What exactly is that called again?"

"Thanks," Kelista chuckled. "Lehenga. My mother bought it for me,"

"I've met your mum," Alison informed her friend, as she helped straighten Kelista's lehenga choli. "I don't know if it's the appearance, but even when talking to her, she reminds me of you,"

The Helmsley Princess' eyes sparkled. "You really think I'm like her?"

"Yup," Alison nodded as she checked Kelista's silvery dupatta, which encircled the Helmsley Princess' lower back and waist, draping neatly over her arms from the elbows to the wrist. Alison's eyebrows furrowed as she noticed the piece of jewelry on Kelista's wrist, half hidden by the dupatta.

"Kels...you're wearing a bracelet,"

"Seth's mother... bought it for me," Kelista said, somewhat hesitantly.

Alison's eyebrows furrowed for a moment. "Erm... It wouldn't really show under your dupatta," she replied calmly, deciding to stick to the less alarming issue of the jewel. "And besides that, I don't think it complements your lehenga,"

Hot tears prickled at the corner of Kelista's eyes. She had seen the questioning look in her friend's eyes. "There's nothing wrong with me wearing it," Kelista retorted. "Aunty Nina bought it for me; I'm sure your grams would be disappointed if I didn't wear that green and black dress she bought for me a few weeks ago,"

Alison flinched at her friend's harsh tone. "I'm only trying to help. You can wear the bracelet if it's that important you,"

Kelista bit her trembling lip before throwing her arms around her best friend. "Oh, Ali! I'm so sorry."

Alison hugged her back. "It's okay, please don't get all girly now."

Kelista sighed with relief that her friend wasn't mad at her. "Come, my nani said there was something she wanted to show me."

"Sure," Alison agreed when her cell phone rang. She sighed as she took it out from her jeans pocket.

"Is it your dad?" Kelista said, as she quietly unclasped the diamond bracelet.

"I already called him earlier. It's Dean," Alison swiped her screen to cancel the call to voicemail.

Kelista went to her wardrobe, quickly wiping her eyes as more tears threatened to fall. "Aren't you going to answer?" she said, struggling to keep her voice even as she put the diamond bracelet back in her jewellery box. If Seth knew his parents bought her that jewel and saw her wearing it, he might know why she wore it. And it wouldn't be just for the reasons Kelista had told Alison.

Alison shook her head and put her phone back in her pocket. "Nah. He can leave a message. Let's go! I have a feeling you're going to get more antique presents!"

Kelista forced a laugh as they headed to Nani's room; none the wiser of the calamity that was colouring the stream red.

~oOo~

Roman was already racing down the slope as little Sarah hit the jagged rocks of the stream. Still at the top of the banks, Sierra watched in horror as the water slowly coloured red; she could barely breathe let alone think as she held Raquel close to her. With her heart in her throat, she didn't even hear the other Shield affiliate approach.

~oOo~

Alison and Kelista walked into Nani's suite to a beautiful sight.

Priya was holding onto her mother and crying. Kelista beamed; Priya was talking about her, and thanking Nani for her raising little Kels.

Alison smiled as Kelista joined the hug, and decided it was best to leave the three generations of Raichand daughters alone.

"Oh, right, the surprise," Nani soon recalled and searched her belongings for a small rectangular jewelry box. "I remember once your mother said you may want this when you get married," she smiled at Priya, who looked a little confused.

"Thanks, Nani...and mum!" Kelista said as Nani handed the box to her. The Helmsley Princess eagerly opened it and pushed apart the preservation wrappings to find a pretty set of twelve bangles. Four etched bangles in-between eight orange ones, all of them dotted with gold glitter. Small, thin, bangles meant for little girls.

Kelista smiled, as the sweet memories of her mother dressing her every morning came into the forefront of her mind. Priya would slip colored bangles onto her daughter's wrist, and on the occasion would tell young Kelista that one day her future husband would buy bangles for her, and so would her mother-in-law.

"They're absolutely beautiful," Kelista gushed. "I'm certainly going to keep them!"

Priya hardly managed the small smile as her daughter hugged her. Neither she nor Michael bought those orange and gold bangles for Kelista; still she said nothing. Priya had decided to let the past go. After all, her daughter was happy and she would have a wonderful future with the Pariwar family.

"I love you, sweetheart," Priya said, kissing her daughter's head.

"I love you too, mummy,"

Gently stroking her daughter's hair, Priya compelled herself to accept that Kelista and Seth had chosen their own paths in life – away from one another. Though she wasn't sure that Seth had. Priya had noticed the forlorn look on Seth's face when Aryan arrived, and it hurt her to see him so broken.

There was a knock. "Miss Kelista?" the attendant called. "Mr. Rollins is here to see you."

Priya felt her daughter stiffen in her arms. "Kelista?" she probed softly.

Priya looked at her mother. Nirvana would know Kelista's heart; she had raised Kels like a daughter. Nirvana refused to meet her daughter's eyes and that was all the confirmation Priya needed.

"...Miss Kelista?"

Kelista swallowed hard and composed herself as she stepped back to look at her mother.

Priya smiled gently. "Seth's calling you, sweetie," she said.

~oOo~

Meanwhile at the Park...

At last, Dean arrived by the makeshift bridge, spotting Roman way below splashing his way across the river. Racing down the banks after his brother, Dean fumbled for his cell phone, just as a trembling Roman picked up Sarah's limp little body from the blood-spattered water.

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