Chapter 20

Making the final touches to her makeup, Rachna looked in the mirror in satisfaction. She gave her just unbraided hair one last tousle allowing the natural waves to fall into place. Between this and the bike ride she knew she would achieve the untamed look she was going for. She spun around in a circle once and looked over at Naomi, "So, do I look ready to make a bad impression or what?"

"Wait a second," Naomi said reaching into her handbag, "Try these on for size, and let's see." The addition of the oversize sunglasses completed the look and bolstered Rachna's confidence ahead of her lunch appointment.

"OK I've got everything I need, my mobile is charged and I will meet you at the photo shoot afterwards right? Just make sure that you bring my things okay, I'll be more than ready to change out of this when  get there; especially these shoes. Looking at her watch, she nodded to Naomi' okay let's get going we're both making time."

 

Naomi held the door to the ladies' restroom, allowing Rachna to proceed before her and into the center of attention; or she would have been if Rachna had even bothered to notice. As she walked beside her friend, Naomi noted the shocked expressions on many of the students' faces; certainly they had never seen Rachna dressing like this; and definitely not exuding the attitude she was. Her smile brightened even more when she saw Shekhar, waiting on his motorcycle at the college gates, do a double take as they approached him. There was no denying that Rachna looked hot today. Before she entered the rickshaw she had managed to hail, Naomi gave Rachna a quick hug and wished her and Shekhar good luck. "You Sir, be careful on this bike with my friend, and remember she is due at work later and has a very demanding boss."

Waving a final goodbye, they each left for their separate destinations. In the rickshaw, Naomi giggled to herself, for all her planning, Rachna had overlooked only one thing; if it had been her she would have made sure to change outfits before reaching the photo shoot. As it was there were sure to be fireworks when Rachna arrived later.

 

"I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet you, but work calls, and I can't be late." Rachna smiled as she noted how Shekhar's mother prevented her from bending before her to take her blessings. Namaste Aunty; Namaste everyone." She turned to Shekar and said imperiously, "Come, Shekhar, I need to go." 

"Uh, coming, Rachna."

They left the house and walked back to the motorcycle.

"I have never, ever seen that look on my mother's face, honestly I didn't know she could purse her lips so tightly. You were definitely not the submissive bahu she thought she would be introducing to my family today. That Rachna, was a work of art."

"Thanks, well let's hope it does the trick, but I really do need to go, I really can't afford to be late."

"Sure hop on."

 

Kabir checked his watch; it was still too early to be concerned, but he knew he would still worry until Rachna arrived. Despite agreeing to help Shekhar out with his problem, he was honest enough to admit to himself, that he was comfortable with none of it. He walked over to Naomi where she had just finished with hair and makeup, "She did say that she would be here on time, right?"

"Yes KT, we can call her, she did indicate that she was available on her mobile." Getting up from her chair, Naomi walked around KT.  Looking up at the parking lot which was on a higher level than the area of the park where they would be shooting today, Naomi raised her hand to block the sunlight "Oh look," she said noting the motorbike that had just come into the parking area, "I think this may be them here." She felt KT move to her side, and waited; knowing she was bad to do so, but this would be something not to be missed.

 

He watched the couple walking down the stairs, with special attention to the young woman who descended ahead of her partner. She was as far removed from his Rachna as anything. Her simplicity and purity, had given way to utter temptation in form of the innocent seductress slowly approaching.  Her hair open and disheveled blew wildly in the breeze, exposing a hint of one shoulder revealed by the slouched blouse she wore. Any perception of demureness provided by the top's long kimono styled sleeves was lost in the fact that the blouse's cropped hem stopped just at her waist, and the low rise ripped skinny jeans she wore served only to further accent her curves. Compounding this, her choice in the rhinestone studded belt she wore, only served to bring more attention to her exposed midriff as it caught the sunlight with every step she took; he stared wondering if this had been intentional or not.

 

Kabir watched as, ignorant to the attention she was attracting from others in the park, Rachna continued to walk confidently down the stairs. He noticed Shekhar hurry to catch up with her before they stepped off the steps onto the grass, and frowned when he stopped her to say something. She shook her head and continued on; both of them on course for the photo shoot. They had almost reached their destination, when suddenly Rachna stumbled forward; saved only by Shekhar's quick reflexes. He held her momentarily before he set her upright, and Kabir could hear the two of them laugh and then Rachna voicing that Shekhar had been right all along. He was already heading in their direction, when Rachna rested one hand on Shekhar's shoulder and he in turn placed his hands on her waist.

 

"Didn't I tell you those heels and the grass wouldn't work."

"Oh shut up, I told you that it would ruin the effect if I removed them right away."

"Not as much as falling flat on your face would have spoiled it."

"True."  Removing her second shoe, she relished the feel of her feet on the grass, "Goodness that is such a relief. Thanks for steadying me there; the only other alternative would be to sit and that would have been totally unacceptable!"

 

Stepping away from Shekhar's hold, Rachna bent to get her shoes, and on rising, turned to continue toward the shoot, when she walked smack into Kabir's chest. She let out a squeak of surprise, as he steadied her. Pushing back her hair over her shoulder, she looked up at him.

"Hey," she said with a smile, "How are you? What are you doing here, I was just about there."

Kabir looked over at Shekhar, who had backed away on his approach.  "It looked as you were having some difficulty, so I just came over to see if you needed some help."

She held up her gladiator styled stiletto heels with a smile, "Unfortunately the heels I was wearing and the grass weren't getting along too well."

"I see, and since you've brought up the subject, Rachna, what on earth are you wearing?"

Her face fell, "I guess you don't like it?"

He squeezed her arms, where he still held on to her and lowered his voice, "Actually I do; far too much. Unfortunately that I'm not alone in in my opinion isn't making me happy at all. I really do hope you have a change of clothing."

"I do, just give me a minute to change."

"Let's make it half a minute, ok?" he said deeply. He watched as she blushed at his words, which along with the artless way she bit her lip,  definitely did nothing for what little control he had left.  For his own sanity, he physically turned her in the direction of the photo shoot and sent her on her way with a gentle shove, "Get going Rachna."

 

Kabir watched her walk away, and shook his head at Rachna's absolute unawareness of her appeal. He then looked over at Shekhar, who he noticed was also following Rachna's retreat intently. "Shekhar, I trust that whatever was done today, achieved what you hoped."

Shekhar smiled in recollection and retorted, "Kabir, I'm more than certain it did, after today my mother will definitely not think of Rachna the same way again."

 

The silence that his answer met finally had Shekhar looking in the direction Kabir's voice had come from. He was disconcerted to discover that Kabir had moved that close to him, and with his final steps, effectively blocked his view of Rachna's departing figure.  Seeing that he had Shekhar's full attention at last, Kabir nodded as he stared down the younger man, "Well as long as it only your mother's view of Rachna that has changed, then that's fine; anything else would be totally unacceptable to me. I hope you understand what I'm saying."