Chapter 17

Chapter #15

"Are you insinuating that my clients have not conducted a thorough vetting of the one that they have selected to care for their infant daughter? Need I remind you that you are dealing with two upstanding members of the community for whom their infant daughter is of paramount importance to them? To suggest that Mr. Tripathi in particular would not be cognizant of those he brings into his inner circle is preposterous to say the least. Further, that your client is suggesting the provision of health records and a police check for an in place employee is tantamount to lunacy, especially considering that the sibling visitations will be primarily overseen by the father of the children, and only supported by their nanny in the rare event of Mr. Tripathi's unavailability."

Kabir looked across the table as Sonal got plainly more irritated as the proceedings continued. Thus far his lawyer was on point countering everything her lawyer had initiated. It was clear that the elimination of the third party involvement was their aim, as it would then give Sonal a foot in the door to gaining access to Aryia, which Kabir never tolerate. Rachna had been very shrewd to insist on this especially as relentlessly Sonal was now opposing it. He watched as she leaned over to speak to her lawyer, and sat to attention when she smiled and began to speak.

"Kabir, let me apologize, this has just gone too far. It's clear that Pari is an upstanding person, but like you I must be assured of those I allow to enter our son's life. As you will learn he too is very special person, much like his father, and I just want the best for him. To be honest I just find it incredible that you would put so much trust in one so young and inexperienced."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what your concerns are here Sonal. Pari has been a part of my daughter's life since her birth, and we have been blessed to have her, but please let her speak for herself. I'm sure that she can allay any fears you may have as to her youth and qualifications."

Naomi smiled inwardly as the witch across from her practically started salivating at the thought of interrogating her.

"By all means, Pari , do tell us about what you have accomplished in your very young life."

"Of course, where would like me to start?"

"Well how about since you've left Secondary School. I do find it so unfortunate when young people place limitatons on themselves, surely you aspire to more than a nanny position? "

Naomi hesitated, and nodded, " Yes you are right, and I do hear it all the time from my parents that while I am young and free of commitments and responsibilities that I should fully pursue my education, but I think that there's more to life than that."

Sonal, smiled encouragingly, "I fear I must agree with your parents, Pari, this would be the time to so."

"I mean perhaps in a couple of years I may pursue a PhD , but for now, I am more than satisfied with my qualifications for now. They have served me well, and have at least afforded me the means to support myself to my family's satisfaction."

"Pardon me?"

"Well after achieving my BSc (Hons) degree with a First in Media Production, I did stay on for an extra year to get my Masters in Media and Communications, but, then I thought to take a break from studies. Since then I have been able to utilize my skills to travel extensively and produce some quality pieces of work. But trust me I do understand your concerns." She paused and sought the attention of the others in room, "With no offence to anyone present, I just think it to be a generational thing where older people put stock in the traditional routes of educational pursuits, but I think that there is so much that one can learn from just experiencing life itself."

Her hands clasped on the table, Naomi smiled across the table at Sonal. A very attractive woman, it was clear that she didn't equate beauty with brains, after all it seemed that, as a former model, she had been getting by on her looks for years. Perhaps Naomi should have been flattered, but she was too busy enjoying the other woman's bewilderment that the youngster she had been so patronizing towards was technically more educated than she. Granted she had the opportunity to do a quick internet search on Sonal in advance, but surely, in this day and age, the woman should have had the smarts to do the same before pitting herself against another; knowledge is power as they say.

Finally breaking the silence, Kabir's lawyer spoke, "If the only concern that was of the level of education that Pari has attained, then I trust you are satisfied. As one can see she is quite accomplished, therefore..."

"But in terms of caring for a child, what qualifications can you offer?"

"Well you will be pleased to know that I am fully certified in General First Aid as well Pediatric First Aid including CPR. I'm even a certified lifeguard believe it or not." Reaching into her wallet she extracted the certifications. "I do make sure that I re-certify annually, and as you can see, they are current. Should any health emergency arise you can be assured that your son will be in safe hands."

"But what of child-rearing?"

"Child-rearing, I'm not sure what you mean?"

Finally finding fault in the young woman, Sonal leaned forward, "Are you saying that you have no experiencing in child rearing?"

"Well of course not. I do not have children."

"Then how can you possibly be considered suitable, dear?"

Naomi looked at her confused, before speaking to her plainly, "Because my position entails only that I support Mr. and Mrs. Tripathi's child rearing decisions. Clearly it is the parents' responsibility to determine the rearing of their children, not anyone they hire. Even if I had all the qualifications in the world, I wouldn't be so presumptuous to assume that I could raise their child better than them. If that is what you require, then I am definitely not the right person for you. However, I would say that it raises a far bigger concern that needs to be addressed. Are you saying Auntie that you lack child rearing experience, or is it that you just have no interest in raising your own child? I must say that to even to one who isn't a parent, I find this very concerning."

Letting her comment sink into the thick woman's head, she paused before continuing, "Likewise, I am sure that KT Sir, as devoted a father as he is, is shocked at either prospect. This is his child's welfare we are speaking of after all."

"Indeed. Exactly what is the problem that you are seeking someone else to specifically raise your son, Sonal? Is this something that we should be looking at more in depth?"

She literally shrank back into her chair when Kabir spoke, nervously brushing her hair back. "Nay, nay that isn't what I meant at all."

She finally pulled herself together when her lawyer leaned over to confer with her. She nodded in response.

"Your client's employee does seem to be very accomplished, and I assume that should we request verification of all she is detailed that it will be made available? But all in all, I wonder if, in fact, she may be overqualified for such a menial and mundane position ..."

Naomi looked at Sonal's lawyer askew, in her opinion he was as foolish as his client. She raised her hand to stop his spiel, "Excuse me, the care of a child, menial and mundane, surely you do not believe this, Sir? Every day brings something new when caring for a child. To see and experience through their eyes is a joy, it definitely fits my definition learning through life experience. At a minimum this menial and mundane job has proven to be the most rewarding thing I have ever done and is providing me with the most invaluable experience that will serve me well some time in my future if I am blessed to become a mother. To even suggest that one can be overqualified to care for a child is an absolute insult, I would say even to your own client. Surely this is not what you are trying to say?"

A sudden silence fell in the room amidst the young woman's perceptible anger. It was obvious that she was not earning any friends on the opposite side of the table, but none could deny that she wasn't passionate about her views.

"Aunty"

"Will you stop calling me that!"

"Pardon me. Sonal Ji, it stands to reason that my interaction with your son will not be frequent enough to be of any concern, but please be assured that he will be in safe and capable hands when he is. As I do with KT Sir's child, I will also be dictated by your guidelines, so you should have no undue worries. I may be overstepping my limits, but I fail to see why you are putting up such resistance which is only delaying your son from getting to know his younger sibling. If you trust Mr. Tripathi enough to care for your child, how can you in turn question any decisions he has made for his own?"

"Hmm, a Media major you say Pari? Why am I not totally convinced of that ?"

Shaking KT's lawyer's hand, she laughed, "And Communications, Sir, don't forget that."

"At any rate, she is certainly a good one to have in you and your wife's corner, KT."

"Trust me, we are well aware of this."

Naomi was about to open the door ahead of KT, when he called out for her to stop. Turning back to face him, she was surprised when he took hold of her hand.

"What's up KT?"

"I just wanted to say thank you. You have been a lifeline to both of us and..."

"Stop, really no thanks are necessary; you know I love you guys. You have to know that I would do anything for the two of you, I'm just glad I'm here to help."

"That's funny considering we wanted you back to help you."

"Well I guess everything happens for a reason, maybe it was meant for me to be here right now."

"Still I just wanted to say thanks again..."

"Hmm"

Kabir looked behind them when he noticed that she had become totally distracted from their conversation. He saw the other man approaching, and smiled before letting go of his friend's hand and entering the house, hearing a snippet of their conversation as the pair greeted each other.

"Did your girls' win?"

"Wow, you look very nice."

He truly hoped that he and Rachna's troubles weren't the only reason she was meant to be back in Banaras at this moment.

Rachna came walking out of the office holding Aryia. She stopped on seeing her husband and waited as he approached her. Stopping in front of her, he smiled and nodded, which allowed her to release the breath that she hadn't realized that she was holding. "Everything worked out then?"

"Naomi was a star, despite their attempts neither Sonal nor her lawyer could find reason to remove her from overseeing the visitations. And Rachna, you were absolutely right to insist on the stipulation, their goal was solely to remove the third party, but she will not have access to our girl."

"When will visitations begin?"

"Next week, but obviously we will have to sort out..."

"No that's fine, we will work it out... I figure that it will be best to use the nursery as a common area for the children, so I will move back into the bedroom so we will avoid the conflict of me having any potential access to your son."

Overwhelmed by this news, Kabir didn't care what reason she had, if it brought her back to where she belonged.

"For next week at least, it shouldn't matter as I will be away from Banaras anyway."

"What?"

"Banaras Beauty's first client; they are on a strict time frame and are flying me to Mumbai for most of the week. They did think to come here, but considering our circumstances I figured that there must have been a reason for this offer coming now, so I took the option of going to them." She looked around him, "Where's Naomi?"

"Uh, Rajeev pulled up as we got back, so she's with him."

"Good, she deserves a respite from the mess we have her involved in now."

She had been kind enough to say we', but Kabir understood the connotation of her statement. He also understood that his mess was increasing the possibility of driving his wife away. Even under the guise of business, that he had only come to know of her decision to travel after the fact was unnerving; that she was willing to leave Aryia for this length of time even more so. He could only watch her as she walked away, knowing that despite today's victory, that he now had this set-back to deal with.

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-24 07:00:40