Chapter 29

Chapter 28

Sonal rolled her eyes at her son's statement as she picked up his supper. "Why were you tickling Pari, Sanjay?"

"I didn't do it Mama, Papa was the one who was tickling her."

She placed the dish in front of her son, who now had her full attention."Your Papa was tickling Pari?"

"Uh huh, when he was putting the measure around her belly. He said sorry that he forgot she was ticklish. Papa is making her some pretty clothes so he had to make sure they fit right."

"Were you in Papa's studio?"

"What's a studio, Mama?"

"Where Papa works, beta."

"Yes, me and papa and Pari and Rajeev uncle.And he made Pari cry."

"Who Sanjay?"

"Rajeev Uncle, mama. He got a mad face when papa was using the measure, and it made Pari cry."

Sonal smiled to herself. What a helpful boy Sanjay was. Trying not to look too excited she spoke. "Did anything else happen, Sanjay ?"

Sanjay liked having his mother's attention, so he thought really hard. "Yes Mama, Pari has two names, Pari and Nomi."

"Nomi ? That's a funny name are you sure that's it?"

"Uh huh Uncle called her that when he said sorry, Nomi."

Sonal sat there, some memory just out reach. She went over what her son had told her and then it came to her. "Beta could the name be Naomi?"

"Yes, that's it Mama, Naomi."

Sonal left the room and picked up the magazine she had been reading a few nights ago. Rifling through the pages she came to the article. Her eyes widened on confirmaton that the subject of the article was none other than the nanny.  "Why hello Pari, it seems you have a few secrets after all." She read the article in full and then opened her laptop to see what else she could discover about the young woman, now that she knew who she really was.

"And Mama..."
"Mama is busy Sanjay, eat your dinner."

"Okay Mama." He guessed he would have to tell her about Aryia's mummy later.

 

Daadi looked at the two empty chairs and sighed. "I've gotten too used to my Naomi and Rajeev being here; it feels a little lonely without them, don't you think?"

Rachna smiled."It does Daadi, but Rajeev has some making up to do today, so ..."

"Uff, that young man, I don't know what I'm going to do with him. But then again I realize that young men in his condition generally tend not to think straight, right Nanhe?"

"Daadi, I have absolutely no idea what you are speaking of, I've always been pretty level headed I think."

He watched as his wife and grandmother burst into laughter, soon joined by Aryia who giggled in enjoyment of her mummy doing so. Kabir shook his head. "Look at you two, encouraging my daughter to mock her father; shame on the both of you."

Rachna reached over to clean Aryia's face of the remnants of her meal, teasing her with the cloth.  She removed her bib and then took her out of high chair watching as she ambled to her grandmother. "Book Daadi," she demanded. The older woman picked up the toddler and turned to her family, smiling. "I guess it's story time, so why don't you two take some time together. I know both of you have been busy today."

"Thank you Daadi, we won't take long..."

"Excuse me please don't even think to cut my time with my granddaughter short, Rachna. I will let you know when I'm ready to relinquish her." She winked at Kabir. "Nanhe, I insist you keep this meddlesome woman occupied for a while."

"I think I can do that Daadi."

"Very Good Nanhe."

 

Taking advantage of Rachna  as she stood up to clear the table, Kabir pulled his unsuspecting wife by her arms, so that she fell on his lap. Caressing her face, he greeted her. "Hello wife, it seems ages since I've seen you." Rachna laughed. "Exaggerator, it has only been hours. Although," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, "hours can seem like days sometimes. Don't you think so KT?"

 

Naomi's entrance did not go unnoticed. Across the restaurant, one of the three men immediately recognized who she was.  And although unknown to the second man, he could not help but stare at the stunning young woman.  She was dressed simply, but the overall effect was sexy as hell. Embolden by the drinks he had consumed Vivek peered at their third companion, who hadn't seen her come in, and smirked maliciously.  He spun back to the second man and spoke. "Raj do you know that before Abhi  did the right thing and married a nice Indian girl, he dated a hot foreign model? What was her name Abhi?"

 

It was all the entreaty needed to start their boss's son on his favorite subject; Naomi, the model whose heart he had broken.  Vivek let him go on, encouraged his boasts, always more outrageous with each telling of the story, all the while watching the couple who waited to be seated. Finally he had his cue when he heard Abhi giving Raj advice on how to handle women. "I hear she went into mourning after I left, but it was her own fault though. Raj you need to know how to handle these Ice Princesses, to let them know who is in charge. If she had just given just a little of herself, then she would have reaped the rewards, and got her heart's desire. Instead the frigid little girl has had to wallow in her grief ever since."

Abhi took another swill of his drink, satisfied that his storytelling had shown him in the best of light.

Their companion spoke.

"Well it looks as you left her too early Abhi, because it seems that your Ice Princess has definitely started to melt." He motioned across the room to where the couple stood.

 

 Naomi's long sleeved blue sheath dress skimmed over her curves; offering tantalizing hints of what lay underneath the silky fabric. In contrast, her riotous dark curls hung down past her shoulders and the large silver hoop earrings, and embellished heels hinted at her flirtatious nature as she  flashed her enticing green eyes mischievously at her escort. Abhi watched as some whisperings in her ear made her blush and look up adoringly at the man she was with, and then was left reeling when she allowed him to place his hand on the small of her back as they followed the host to their table.  

"Good God, is that her?" Abhi bristled at Raj's mirth at this turn of events. " It looks as if you lost out by not knowing how to handle a bit of ice, Abhi.  And that is no slow melt there; that guy has set a fire under your princess."

 

"Am I totally forgiven, Naomi?"

"I think the more important question is if I've deemed you boyfriend material, Rajeev."

"And have you?" She didn't answer immediately and he watched as she searched her purse and then pulling out her mobile. He didn't object when she scooted as close to him in the booth they shared, but wondered what she was up to. He followed her action when she raised her phone. "Selfie time Rajeev, smile."

He pulled her hand down. "What are you doing Naomi?"

"How else are we to confirm our new status; really Rajeev how can this relationship be legitimized if not posted all over social media? At the very least I need to update my Facebook relationship status."

"You're joking right; please tell me you are joking."

She looked at him in all seriousness before answering. "Of course I am joking." She smiled at him teasingly, "but you really need to lighten up a little, you scare far too easily. Now, may I have a photo with my boyfriend to keep on my mobile? I'll even share it so you can have it as well.  And yes probably with Ra too, but that's it, I promise."

"You're incorrigible, what am I going to do you?"

"Well, let me have my photo first and then we will decide."

 

Having finally dislodged from her husband's embrace for a sufficient time to clear the dining table, Rachna  returned back from the kitchen to him. He passed her phone. "I m sorry, I couldn't help myself." Puzzled Rachna took the phone to see that a message and photo that had come from Naomi.

 

New Status - In a Relationship - Dinner with my boyfriend <3

 

"My poor Sir," Rachna said, "He officially has his hands full now."

"My feeling is that he won't mind that part one bit.  So I guess we can safely assume that all is forgiven."

Rachna nodded happily, before becoming serious herself. "Actually while we are on the subject of forgiveness, KT, I'm so sorry about this afternoon; I just took longer than expected with Aryia . Sanjay wasn't too upset was he?"

"Not in the least. I think because you handled it so naturally, he didn't get tense over the situation. Rachna I know you hate that you are in this situation, but as usual your practical nature seems to have surpassed Sanjay's initial reservations about you.  Gradually he will become accustomed to the circumstances, and all will be well."

"Do you really think so, KT? I've found it so difficult to remain calm over it. I mean this is twice in two visits that we have interacted, and I know I shouldn't be engaging him at all. If Sonal should come to find about it..."

"Rachna, calm down, love. The practicality of it is that all interaction can't be avoided. In neither situation did you actively seek out Sanjay, so in effect you have done nothing wrong."

 

He flicked her nose playfully and smiled. "So Mrs. Tripathi, stop worrying your pretty head over things you have no control over and tell me what you have been up to while I was playing relationship counsellor to our infatuated friends?" Rachna held up her mobile. "Well  first let me congratulate you; according to this, you did an excellent job KT, so very good, keep up the good work." She stayed where she stood as he came closer. "I did an exceptional job, so much that I think I deserve a reward."

 She laughed at him, but reached up and lightly brushed her lips against his. "You are worse than a needy child, Kabir Tripathi." She held his hand to lead him towards her studio. "Well, while you have been dealing with the romantic niceties of our friends, I have been working on my client's happy ever after. Come let me show you; maybe you will find me worthy of a reward too."   

 

The next morning, the freight train running through Abhi's head  could not compare with the bilious sensation brought on by the awareness that Naomi had  really moved on from him.  Pathetically remaining at the restaurant the previous evening, long after his co-workers had left, he had fixated on the changes that had been wrought in the young woman. His anger had grown disproportionately as he witnessed every liberty ; every touch she allowed, and even worse every touch she willingly  gave.  Bitterly, he had imagined what else she was permitting, tormented that another should be the beneficiary of her newly awaken desires.   

 

Entering his department, he barely acknowledged his assistant's greeting and declaration that an unscheduled guest had arrived and was waiting for him in his office.  He hesitated on entering, taken aback by the striking woman who awaited him.

"Good Morning Abhi, I must say your wife is a very lovely woman." He watched as the stranger replaced the photo frame on his desk. "However, I am assured that your tastes actually lean toward another type." She watched as he took a seat, and then removed the magazine and placed it before him. "This type to be exact."  Witness to his dogged determination not to fixate on the photos , she smirked.  He cleared his throat. "Yes she is very attractive, but as you have rightly noted, I am a married man."

The woman smiled smugly, "So I guess my offer of her coming back to you would be of no interest then?"  With no response forthcoming, she continued. "Sweet Naomi, she's such an innocent; a rarity these days don't you think? But a lot is changing in her life, and I don't expect that will be true for much longer; the things one does when they think they are in love." She collected her purse and looked to leave.

"And why would you make such an offer? What is in it for you?"

"I'm in need of information, which in turn will help to achieve what I ultimately want."

"And for information you offer her in return; that hardly seems an equitable deal."

"Ah well I must confess that she will be major player in my plans. She may be a little bruised of spirit when it's all over."

"I see. Still, I can't imagine that it will change anything between Naomi and I. If you know so much about us as you claim, then I'm sure that you also know that she wouldn't return willingly to me."

"After I'm done with her, you'd never know. But really Abhi, do tell the truth, as long as you are the first, would it really matter if she is willing or not?"

She had stuck a nerve, and worse yet, knew she had.  "Just who the hell are you?"

"Just a mother seeking to secure her son's future."  She gave him a business card, and prepared to leave. "Think about it Abhi, and give me a call if you're interested." She stopped at the door and turned back. "Mind you, I wouldn't take too long to decide; she has become quite smitten with her Rajeev ."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-24 18:01:54