By the time Jessie had shed her disguise, finished the rest of her errands, and reached the apartment once more, it was nearing 5:00 p.m. She fervently hoped that the others were still asleep, but she was afraid it was probably more than she could hope for. As it turned out, she was right.
"There you are!" a voice from above exclaimed as she labored up the second floor staircase with her arms loaded with packages. Looking up, she spotted Kefira on her way down, laundry basket in hand.
"Hey, you're up!" Jessie replied, stopping mid-flight to speak to the other girl.
"Yes, we have been up for about half an hour. Jonny was quite upset to find you gone."
Jessie sighed in exasperation. "He knew I planned to go out and run errands. I even left him a note."
"Yes, but it appeared that you left in some haste. We were all concerned that something had happened." When Jessie hesitated, Kefira jumped on it and demanded, "What? What is wrong? Have there been signs of our enemies?"
"No! No, nothing like that," Jessie hastily assured her. "It was nothing . . ."
"You are not fooling me, Jessica Bannon! Something sent you running out of here, leaving everything you were working on in mid-task. What has happened?"
Jessie looked at her companion solemnly. "Now I'm the one that needs advice, Kefira. Will you help me?"
"Of course! If I can. Tell me what is wrong."
"I got into it with Dr. Quest today while you guys were asleep."
Kefira stared at her for a moment before replying carefully, "What happened?"
Jessie looked around and then said quietly, "Not here. Come on, I'll follow you down to the laundry room and we'll talk there."
The two of them descended to the basement where Jessie set her parcels aside and helped Kefira start the laundry. Once that was finished, the Indian girl turned to her friend and said, "Now, tell me what has happened."
Jessie described the messages she found on the answering machine and the subsequent confrontation with Jonny's father. She concluded by saying, "You know, it wasn't even so much what he said as the tone of his voice, I think. It was so nasty and condescending. I got so furious . . ."
"How did he take it when you told him he was never to do it again?" Kefira questioned.
"He was angry. Told me I was part of the problem because I was supporting Jonny. And he used the same tone with me that he used with Jonny. Beyond that, I didn't really give him much of a chance to say anything."
"Was he alone?"
Jessie shook her head. "No. Dad and Dr. Mason were with him at the time."
Kefira sighed in relief. "That is good."
"I probably shouldn't have said some of the things I did, Kefira, but I couldn't let him do that to Jonny! He doesn't deserve it and furthermore, it's the last thing he needs right now."
Kefira cocked her head and gazed at her friend thoughtfully. "Why now, in particular, Jessie? Is there another problem?"
Jessie opened her mouth to reply and then closed it again, suddenly realizing that she'd said more than she intended. "Look, it's getting late. We probably better . . ."
Kefira's hand flashed out and caught Jessie by the arm. Staring the other girl straight in the eyes, she said, "You have named us sisters. I agree. Sisters tell each about all of their problems. Do not shut me out, Jessie. I want to help. What is wrong? Is he unhappy here? Or having trouble at work?"
"No, nothing like that!" Jessie exclaimed. "He loves his job. I've never seen him so alive. They honestly need him and the things he does make a real contribution. That means a lot to him. It's just that . . ." she sighed in frustration, trying to figure out how to explain it. "I guess it's just that he's got so much to prove . . . to himself, I mean. Lately, it's been occurring to me that it can't have been easy growing up as the only natural-born son of Benton Quest. Did you know that Jonny hates research? I don't know if it's because subconsciously he wants to be different from his dad or if he just doesn't like the process, but whichever it is, he really does hate it. And now he's out on his own and I think he's trying to prove to himself that he can achieve something in his own right, and that he doesn't need to rely on his father."
"And he is pushing too hard." It was a statement, not a question.
Jessie nodded. "Yeah . . . yeah he is. I've tried everything I can think of to ease things, but you know how much of a one-track mind he's got. I finally talked to his boss about it and they're going to help me try to moderate him a little." She looked at the other girl seriously. "They care about him, Kefira. I really believe that. They don't want to see him burn out. But when Dr. Quest hit him this morning, he'd been working too hard and hadn't had more than about 10 hours of sleep total since last Sunday. Stan had told me to let him sleep so he could catch up on some rest, but then Dr. Quest called and blindsided him with all that bullshit about not being capable of getting this job on his own and . . . "
"Oh, no!"
"He did!" Jessie replied, anger flaring brightly once more. "And I just couldn't take it any more . . ."
Kefira laid a pacifying hand on the other girl's arm and assured her, "I do not blame you. I would not have been able to tolerate it either."
"When I got off the phone, I just had to get out for a while. I was so angry that I knew that if I didn't, I'd do something that would wake all of you. So I went to run errands. They ended up taking me longer than I intended, which is why I was late."
"Weren't you afraid that Dr. Quest might try to call back?"
Jessie grimaced. "Oh, you obviously haven't found that yet. I shut down all the phones and the computers. The only thing anyone could get was the answering machine. I didn't want you guys disturbed."
"Well, I think we had better get upstairs. Jonny was truly beginning to worry. He will be glad to see you."
"Not a word about this, okay Kefira? I know they're headed into the lion's den, but in a way I'm glad to have him away from here. It will give him a break from the job and get him out of reach of Dr. Quest for a while. I don't think that's a bad thing right now."
"No, I believe you are correct. Come on, let us go upstairs."
Splitting the load of packages between them, they climbed the stairs again and returned to the apartment. Jonny and Hadji both leaped to their feet as the two of them spotted Jessie.
"Jess!" Jonny exclaimed and grabbed her, sending bags and parcels cascading to the floor. He held her tightly and ran his hands over her in agitation. "Are you okay? Where have you been? You aren't hurt, are you?"
She relaxed against him willingly, savoring the feel of his hands and his obvious concern. God, I love him, she thought to herself. Reaching up, she caressed his cheek gently, running her thumb lightly over his lips.
"I'm fine! I promise. My errands just took longer than I expected."
"But you left everything in such a mess!"
She laughed easily. "I was right in the middle of sorting laundry when I suddenly realized how much I had to do and that if I didn't get started some of the places I wanted to go might close before I got there. So I just dropped everything and took off. I'm sorry if I worried you."
"As long as you're okay . . ." he murmured, and leaned down to kiss her.
After a long moment, Hadji cleared his throat loudly. When the two of them looked up, he said, "Your room is down the hall, I believe . . . "
Jessie laughed, flushing slightly, as Jonny looked his brother straight in the eyes and said, "Hey, this is my home. I'll fool around in any room I choose. Furthermore, YOU are a fine one to talk. The walls in this apartment are rather thin, you know . . ." Hadji and Kefira both turned a lovely shade of maroon, and Kefira turned and hid her face against his chest. Jonny grinned and rubbed it in just a bit further. "It sure sounded as though you were having an awfully good time in there. . ."
"Stop!" Hadji begged his brother, reddening even more. Jonny laughed and clapped his brother on the back. "You know, it's fun having the shoe on the other foot. After all the abuse Jess and I had to put up with . . ."
Jessie rolled her eyes. "Leave me out of this, will ya?"
Kefira grinned mischievously. "From what I heard, I do not believe we were the only ones giving the neighbors something to talk about this morning!"
Jessie just shook her head as Jonny feigned a hurt look. "Et tu, Kefira?"
Then he smiled warmly at his brother. "Hey, I just want you to know how happy I am for the both of you." His grin faded into a look of concern. "This does mean that you aren't going to do something incredibly stupid like renounce the marriage, right?"
Hadji looked resigned. "I could not do so now, even if I wished to . . ." He smiled tenderly at Kefira. ". . . which I assure you, I do not."
"Good! 'Cause I was not about to let you blow this!" Turning to Kefira, he held out his arms. "C'mere." He swept her up in a firm, brotherly embrace. "I've always wanted a sister, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. My brother and I are very lucky men."
Kefira returned his hug enthusiastically. "I am the lucky one. I could not have chosen a better family," she replied, casting a look at Jessie, who just nodded knowingly and smiled.
As Jonny released her, Hadji reached out and caught her hand, drawing her back to his side. "Now that Jessie has returned, I wonder if the two of you would do something for us?" Hadji asked seriously.
"Sure," Jonny replied as Jessie said, "Of course."
Hadji looked down at Kefira tenderly. "When we got married there were certain rituals that we chose not perform at the time. They have special significance because family members and close friends normally witness them and you were not able to be there. Because of the nature of things, they will not exactly be traditional, but if the two of you are willing, we would like to exchange our vows now."
Jonny and Jessie exchanged a look and then Jonny said quietly, "We'd be honored. What do you want us to do?"
Hadji handed him a piece of paper. "Stand with us and serve as witnesses until I signal you. When I do, read what is on this paper." Turning, Hadji walked over to the love seat and picked up the box that Jessie had noticed earlier that afternoon. Returning to Kefira, he drew her over to stand next to one of the end tables. Setting the box on the table, he turned to face her. Jonny had never seen his brother look the way he did in that instant. Hadji's face was alight with such love and tenderness that it caused Jonny's throat to constrict . . . particularly when he saw the same look mirrored in Kefira's face. As Jonny and Jessie watched, Hadji reached out and touched Kefira lightly first on the forehead, then on this lips, and finally over her heart, saying in Hindi,
"My lady, by my will, I have chosen you for my wife. As we have been taught, through marriage, a man and woman each fulfill their dharma, becoming physically, emotionally and spiritually complete. To you, I pledge my strength, love and understanding."
Kefira's eyes were locked on his unflinchingly, as she repeated his gestures with feather-light fingers and replied in the same language,
"Beloved, in gladness do I accept those things you so offer. In return, I pledge my tenderness, companionship and encouragement, and vow that if the Gods so honor, I will love and care for all children born of our union to the perpetuation of the human race."
Time and place seemed to recede as the two of them gazed at each other, reciting vows almost as old as the culture that spawned them.
"Marriage is a three-fold state," Hadji continued, his eyes never leaving her. "It is a sacrament, a contract and an institution. As a sacrament, it is a spiritual union in which man and woman utter certain vows to one another and thus bind themselves together for life and for their soul's mutual benefit."
The two watchers saw a soft smile flicker across Kefira's lips as she picked up the thread of the vow.
"As a contract, it is a personal agreement to live together as husband and wife, he to provide shelter, protection, sustenance, and she to care for the home and bear and nurture their children," she replied with the equal intensity.
"As an institution, marriage is the lawful custom in society, bringing stability to the family and the social order," he replied once more, completing the ritual covenant.
In a quiet, charged voice, Kefira replied for a final time, "Marriage is a jîvayajna, a sacrifice of each small self to the greater good of the family and society."
Turning, Hadji reached down and opened the box sitting beside them on the end table. Reaching in, he withdrew a necklace and held it up between the two of them. In the diffuse light of early evening, the faceting of the ruby that hung suspended from the heavy, twisted gold chain caused it to gleam warmly. In the charged silence, both Jonny and Jessie heard Kefira gasp as she stared at the glittering gem.
"From the Heart of Bangalore, heirloom of my family and most revered from time untold, do I claim you," he declared in a tone that his family members had never heard from him before. For the first time, they gazed at their brother and friend and truly saw the evidence of his royal lineage. It was almost as though he was suddenly filled with the spirits of those who had reigned before, giving him power and presence beyond mortal man. Jonny and Jessie exchanged an awed look. The Heart of Bangalore . . . That was the name of the gem that was the mark of his family . . . the symbol of his royalty . . . the one his mother had given him when he ascended to the throne. After a moment, Jessie frowned slightly. She remembered it being larger . . .
With a hand that trembled slightly, Kefira reached into the box and held up another object. Once again, the light in the room caused the second stone, imprisoned in gold and mounted on a flat, gold band, to glow warmly. Clearing her throat with difficulty, she replied,
"From the Heart of Bangalore, heirloom of the House of Singh and most revered from time untold, I acknowledge and accept your claim."
Suddenly, as the sun dropped toward the horizon, a shaft of pure golden sunlight lanced through the western windows. It caught the two stones squarely, and in an instant, they erupted into fiery brilliance, enveloping the young couple in their radiance. Jonny and Jessie fell back a step, gasping involuntarily, at the dazzling vision. Not one stone now . . . but two . . . still bound together as if they were a single living thing . . . and in their living fire, binding the two that held them together for all eternity. Later, Jessie would swear that she had heard the ghostly murmurs of approval from Hadji's ancestors in that radiant light.
The blazing fire receded to a warm glow once more as Hadji leaned forward and fastened the pendant around Kefira's neck, saying, "I am he."
Kefira reached up and seated the gold band around his forehead, replying, "I am she."
Then Hadji caught her hands in his and intoned, "I am song."
"I am verse," she responded.
"I am heaven."
"I am earth." Hadji glanced up and nodded at Jonny.
Clearing his throat with difficulty, Jonny looked down at the paper in his hand and, in flawless Hindi, he read, "Through this oblation, which invokes prosperity, may this bridegroom flourish anew; may he flourish the wife that has been brought to him. May he excel in strength, excel in royalty. May this couple be inexhaustible in wealth that bestows luster a thousand fold."
Time seemed to hang suspended as the young couple stood, bathed in golden sunlight, gazing silently at one another. It was almost as though the universe itself stopped in acknowledgement of the momentousness of the occasion. Finally, the tableau was broken by a loud sniff from Jessie. When the three of them looked at her, she wiped the back of her hand across her eyes and nose and said unapologetically, "Weddings make me cry . . . so sue me."
Jonny laughed damply. "Hey, at least you didn't have lines!" That caused all of them to laugh, and Jessie crossed over and hugged Kefira tightly. "It was absolutely beautiful," she whispered to her.
Kefira hugged her back tightly and replied in the same soft tone. "I owe you so much. I do not know how to begin to say thank you."
"You don't have to," Jessie replied softly, then leaned back and squeezed her arms firmly. "Sisters," she said firmly, that single word carrying a wealth of meanings.
"Sisters," Kefira agreed gratefully.
Jonny and Hadji exchanged pleased looks, and then Jonny said quietly. "But we aren't done yet. I have something for you, Hadji."
He looked surprised. "You do? What is it?"
"Hang on," Jonny replied and disappeared down the hall. A few moments later he returned, carrying a small box. Reaching out, he caught Kefira by the arm and drew her back to stand beside Hadji once more. Looking at the two of them, he said, "For the last five generations, there has been a tradition in the Quest family. Our great great great grandparents pledged themselves to each other in the face of strong opposition from both families and swore that nothing would ever separate them. They defied tradition and set out on their own with only their love and faith in each other to sustain them. They turned their backs on their families, shed their respective family names, and took the name of Quest as a symbol of the life they sought for themselves. In spite of the odds against them, they made it, and the Quest family flourished." Jonny looked at his brother. "Do you remember this story, Hadji?"
"Of course," his brother agreed, wondering what Jonny was getting at.
Jonny nodded, and looking at Kefira, he continued," As the story goes, on their 25th wedding anniversary, Great Great Great Grandfather Christopher Quest commissioned a ring to be made, which he presented to Great Great Great Grandmother Mary as a token of the love he still held for her. Unknown to him, she had done the same and when they presented them to each other, they discovered that the jewelsmith had created matching rings for them. Since that time, it has been tradition in the Quest family that the eldest son of the eldest son took the rings on his wedding day, and wore them as a symbol of the love he had for his wife and as a pledge to continue the dreams that were the foundation of this family. Those rings passed to our father on his wedding day, and when my mother died, they were held in trust, first by Dad and then by me, until the marriage of the eldest son."
"Jonny, NO!" Hadji gasped as he suddenly realized what his brother intended. But Jonny would not be stopped.
"Today, I pass on those rings on to you, the eldest son of our father." Jonny opened the box and revealed a pair of intricately carved gold bands nestled in the velvet lining. Smiling at Hadji and Kefira warmly, Jonny said, "Take these rings and wear them as a reminder of your faith and love for one another, and with the knowledge that whatever the future holds, you are a part of this family . . . always."
"Jonny, those belonged to your parents!" Hadji protested, looking shaken. "I was not born . . ."
Jonny looked at his brother seriously and replied in a tone that allowed for no argument. "You are the eldest son of our father. You are my brother. That you weren't born into this family doesn't make you any less a part of it." Looking his brother squarely in the eyes, Jonny held the box out to him. "These are yours by right." His look warmed, but did not waver, as he added, "I want you to have them. Please."
Hadji held his brother's gaze, searching for any sign of regret. There was none. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, Hadji nodded solemnly. With a shaking hand, he removed one of the gold bands from the box and slid it onto Kefira's left hand. It fit as though it had been made for her. Then Jonny removed the second ring and handed it to Kefira. Tears slid down her cheek as she slipped the ring onto her husband's finger.
They stood for a long moment, gazing down at the rings on their joined hands in silence. Finally, Jonny nudged his brother and stage whispered, "Kiss her, man!"
Laughter erupted from the two couples, then Hadji pulled Kefira into a warm embrace and kissed her tenderly. Watching them, Jonny sighed inwardly. I just wish Dad were here to see this . . .
Shaking himself, Jonny pushed away the thought. If the situation in Bangalore was as serious as he suspected, these were the last few moments of joy that any of them would experience for quite a while. And he was not about to let anything, especially his father, intrude on that . . .
