Whoever said that the first step is always the hardest, certainly knew what they were speaking of, thought Kabir as he stepped over the threshold to enter the Garg family home. Filled with trepidation, he followed the young woman who, for some inexplicable reason Daadi had total faith in; and had insisted the same of him. It was a familiar scene that they walked in on; the Garg family congregating together. He had but a mere moment to take in the view in front of him; to seek the one who drew him here, before Naomi announced their arrival.
"Aunt Shail, Uncle Dayal we have a guest."
As one, the family had turned their attention to them, and Kabir hoped that the want he felt for the young woman standing beside her father was not showing so expressively on his face. The look of uncertainty on she had given him gave him hope; her vulnerability proving that she wasn't as indifferent as she had appeared on the stage the previous day.
Pulling his gaze away from her, he greeted her parents, "Uncle, Aunt Namaste."
She couldn't breathe; she swore she literally couldn't breathe. "I am such a fool," she thought as she attempted to control the anxiety caused by KT's unexpected arrival. She had wanted this, yearned for him to come to her for so long, but still couldn't reconcile that he wouldn't have approached her privately first. "Oh God, what would happen now?"
Rachna felt, more than saw when Naomi had returned to her side, and was grateful for her company, but most of all for her whispered encouragement. "Chill Ra, it will all be okay." Taking a deep breath, Rachna turned her attention to what was going on.
"Kabir, Beta, you after so long, you have been working too hard that we have hardly seen anything of you.""It has been a busy time, Uncle. Actually . . ." Kabir paused as Rachna's mother approached him, her expression unreadable. "Aunt Shail, Namaste." Kabir knew that Daadi had interceded on his behalf with Aunt Shail , but he could not help but feel the. burden of his inaction, that he hadn't at least reached out to Rachna's mother with his own explanation. He realized now that all power lay in her next words, everything would be for naught if she replied in the negative. Finally she spoke,
"Nanhe, it's good to have you back with us once more." Her smile confirmed the sincerity of her greeting and let him know that at least there was now one less hurdle to overcome.
"Thank you, Aunt Shail."
"Come, we were just looking at some of Rachna's design photographs, I'm sure they will be of interest to you. Rachna, can you make some more tea for us?"
"Yes, Mummy."
Kabir was concentrating on the photographs when Rachna returned, but not so unaware that he didn't realize when she took a seat next to him.
"That is one of my favorites," she said of the picture he was looking at.
"It's a beautiful design, Rachna, very nice."
"Hmm, oh sorry, I was actually talking about Naomi, though I'm proud of the design too."
"She is very photogenic. Is she a very good friend, then?"
"Oh yes, she's the best. She was such a star that day, for nothing else than putting up with me. I was... well let's just say it wasn't a good day for me. Excuse me." Getting up, Rachna went over to her friend, a smile on her face as she hugged the shorter girl.
"So Beta, what brings your visit today?"
"Well Uncle, it's actually to do with work, I was hoping..."
"Don't worry Beta, I understand.."
"Uncle?"
"Now that your star assistant is back, you are hoping to reclaim her before a competitor does, am I right?"
Glancing over at Rachna, he couldn't help but smile at the irony of those words. That was a definite, he thought. "Yes, Uncle that's definitely a matter we need to resolve, but actually, today I was hoping to speak to you about Naomi."
Aware that he had everyone's attention he continued, "I've recently entered into a partnership with an American firm, and I really believe that she could be the face we are looking for the campaign we are working on. In fact just looking at these photos has convinced me more. I was hoping to schedule a series of photo shoots with her while she is here in Banaras. Since you and Aunt are her hosts, I thought it best to check with you first."
"Nanhe, I think that's wonderful, Naomi is always..."
"Oh No Aunt Shail, I couldn't possibly do it," Naomi interjected. "I mean, wow, this is so cool and I really, really appreciate the offer, but well I just don't think I can, well not without my family's permission... I mean, and honestly I mean nothing by it KT Sir, but um, um I don't know you at all, and um well you know the saying about never taking candy from strangers and I mean this being India and you hear such stories and all..."
It was impossible to say what was more shocking, her incoherent ramblings or the insult she had casually thrown out.
" Naomi! "
"Uncle Dayle?"
"You will stop that talk right now! You are our guest, but I cannot allow you to continue," He looked over to Kabir and nodded in support, "Our Beta is a good person, and you will not insult him such!"
"Truly I mean no offence, I just.."
"Nay, you needn't concern yourself with such nonsense. I will speak to your father myself and assure him of everything. Your father needn't worry of you being in his company. We trust Kabir whole heartily in this regard; and know that any father would rest easy knowing that their daughter was in his care, but you will apologize immediately!"
A look of contrition on her face, Naomi nodded, "Thank you Uncle Dayle, I really would like to do this, and honestly I meant no disrespect."
Briefly glancing up at Rachna before walking away from her side, Naomi went to stand in front of KT, "Please accept my apologies, I shouldn't have said that. I really am very interested, but I will need to get approval. With a slight nod in Rachna's direction, she continued, "It's just that being the youngest in a family, comes with its own set of problems, and sometime reassurances are needed, but truly I am very sorry."
The unspoken message received, Kabir glanced in Rachna's direction; at Rachna who was now looking at her father with a pensive expression on her face. He turned back to Naomi, an inquiring look on his face.
"Sorry, it's just something she had to see to believe," Naomi whispered. "But wow, she hadn't exaggerated about Uncle Dayal's temper though. Anyway, I guess we'll confirm in the next day or so... By the way, I can recommend a great assistant for the photoshoots if you're in need."
crtkelly2014-07-26 11:59:01
Nice
Awesome
Loved
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