Chapter 34

Chapter 33

 Naomi watched in the mirror as Rachna approached her from behind. She frowned. Something was off with her for sure. She looked exhausted, and if one was to be honest a bit green about the gills.  The two women's eyes met in the glass: a look of concern countered by one slightly evasive.  Rachna handed the roses to the stylist who took them, pinning and entwining the buds around and throughout the model's loose side hanging ponytail. Satisfied with her results, she smiled and walked away, leaving the two friends alone.  Admiring the finished result of Naomi's hair and makeup sessions, Rachna smiled. "I'd forgotten how much length is hidden in those curls of yours. This morning must have been a total ordeal for you, and yet not only do you look absolutely wonderful, but you still have managed to look as fresh as a daisy despite being up for hours already."

Naomi grinned. "Don't be fooled, I am tired, and I expect that I will crash pretty soon after the shoot. It will definitely be an early night for me."  She continued to study her friend. "But at least I have an excuse. Rachna I hate to be blunt, but you look positively awful this morning. Are you feeling well?"

Her eyes narrowed and her wariness grew, when instead of answering, Rachna looked around the space guardedly, before stepping closer to her. "Rachna, what is it?"

She finally smiled, eager to share her suspicions that were pointing more to fact each day. "I'm not one hundred percent certain, but it's looking as if I may have overindulged in one too many chocolates after all."

"Ra are you serious? We're having another baby?"

Laughing at her friend's choice of words, Rachna  nodded. "I really think so, but I still need to go to the doctor to confirm, so...Oh God Naomi, stop crying. You're ruining your makeup!"

 

Kabir looked at his watch, and then to the staging area; nothing yet.  He had seen Rachna enter with the floral pieces, and had expected to see his wife and model shortly after. Instead only Rachna had emerged. She had headed for and returned with the makeup artist, substantiating his gut feeling that there was again some issue with his model.  "Dammit Naomi, you have to keep it together," he muttered.

"Kabir is there a problem?"

Lamenting that Rajeev may have heard his comment Kabir erased all signs of concern from his face before he turned to the other man. "A slight delay it seems, but I'm sure we will be getting on with it very soon. Are your boys ready to go?"

Rajeev hesitated, studying Kabir for a second, before answering. "They are pretty excited; the matching uniforms are a big hit with them."

"That was her doing you know, she thought they would enjoy them."

 "I'm not surprised, Naomi really does enjoy the time she spends with them."

Kabir looked from Rajeev's contemplative expression towards the photographer approaching them. "Mohit are you all set?"

"As soon as I have my model, I will be." The photographer replied.

 

This photo shoot had all the potential to become a total spectacle, thought Rajeev as he observed the growing number of bystanders who had gravitated towards this area of the park, drawn by the artificial set. Incredible, he thought, shaking his head.  As everyone awaited Naomi, He took the opportunity to reiterate to his youngsters what was expected of them.

"Remember boys, we need controlled play today, sticks and the hockey ball to remain on the ground only." He pointed to the cloth laid on the pitch. "Don't forget that Pari is going to be sitting there and you will be playing around her at first. We don't want her to get hurt right?" He nodded back to the eager faces looking back at him.

"Coach, is she going to play with us too?"

"No, today is just for the photos she wants to have taken with you."

"Aw Coach, that's no fair, I've been practicing."

 

Only by the barest means had Rajeev not joined his boys' slack-jawed expressions when Naomi had spoken up.  She looked as she had stepped out of a dream to grace them all with her company. He heard one of the youngsters call her a fairy, and was in total agreement.  On the other hand, he had also noticed that she stood much taller today, and was left to fantasize about what type of heels lay beneath the long hem of the dress when she walked away to get in position for the shoot.

 

After assisting Naomi to the ground, Kabir left Rachna to arrange the skirt of the dress so that it encircled Naomi completely as she sat.  Ignoring her friend's whispered insistence that she go sit down and rest, Rachna made the necessary adjustments. She stood back to take in the effect.  The cream dress had a heavily brocaded bodice of cream and bronze, interspersed with deep red embroidered roses. The brocade was such that it gave the illusion of a high collared bronze bolero over a strapless dress. From there the skirt fell in structured panels to the hem comprising of a muted bronze border accented with the bronze brocade and the red roses. Juxtaposed against lush green of the grass, the look was incredible.  That Naomi had a bevy of sturdy little boys in awe of their hockey friend, so changed from what they normally saw surrounding her, seemed to accentuate her femininity. Aside from the personal meaning behind the shoot; Rachna could not think of a better way to show this design.

"She looks perfect. Don't you boys think so?" Rachna asked the little hockey players. She grinned at the chorus of voices that met her query. Craftily, she looked to Rajeev who hadn't taken his eyes off her friend since she had come out.  She walked over to him. "Judging by that response, I think you have fair amount of competition here Sir. Perhaps you should think about staking your claim soon, before she is whisked away right from under your nose."

 

Envisioning the quality photos that Mohit was getting from the elevated position, both for the campaign as well as what he had personally requested, Kabir nodded, pleased. To his wife, seated beside him, he asked what she thought of the shoot thus far.

"Honestly KT, I'm not sure if I'm watching a professional photo-shoot or a courtship in progress. I swear the only professional ones are the hockey players. I've never seen Naomi as distracted as she is today, but somehow neither you nor Mohit Sir seem bothered by this."  She watched as Naomi's glance met Rajeev's yet again, riveted by the unspoken communications going on between the two of them. She sighed. "This is awfully romantic to watch, but I have seen you lose your temper over far less. Kabir Tripathi, are you going to tell me exactly what are you up to?"

 

Abhi took one last long draw on his cigarette before flicking the butt away. He leered at Naomi one last time, before retreating to the playground area where he was due to meet his partner. Secretly he was beginning to doubt that she would be able to deliver anything she had promised, and even if she was able to somehow do so, that it would be too late. Naomi looked ready to abandon any sense of modesty for this Rajeev , a mere hockey coach, and Abhi realized that if he had any intention on claiming what should have been his, that he would have to act fast. Still, he accepted that the information the child had been able to provide so far was useful. It probably would be better to retain access to it until he had accomplished what he wanted; after that Sonal could figure the rest out on her own.  He noticed the hand waving at him, and headed over to see what she required now.

 

Kabir called a stop to the shoot, and had one of his assistants direct the young boys to an area where he had juice and snacks for them. He saw he was beaten to the task of going to assist his model by Rajeev, who had seemed to be at the ready to aid Naomi.  "Mohit?"

Naomi reached up for the hands extended to help her out. She was so happy that he had come to her. He was a thorough distraction to her today. Frankly, she was surprised that she hadn't been called out by either designer or photographer this morning.  It was the only moment of privacy they had had today, and she was anxious to speak with him. She allowed him to help her up, silently consenting to his perusal as he held her away from him to look his fill. His heated stare seemed to penetrate her very soul. She felt her breathing quicken, and knew that her color had risen, as she waited for him to speak. 

"Naomi, are we still going to check out lounge furniture this afternoon?"

"Wh..what?"

Rajeev grinned, holding on to her tightly as she tried to extract her hands from his.

"Since it appears that most of Banaras is here in the park at the moment, I figured that may be the safest thing to say right now." He saw when her eyes widened as she scanned the immediate area. "But if you are insistent, Naomi you are absolutely beautiful. You truly have stolen my breath today."

"Just your breath; is that all?" she pouted and sighed, "I guess I still have some work to do then."

She waited for his response, praying for any indication that he shared her feelings.

"Actually Naomi..."

 

Naomi closed her eyes, when from a distance she heard her name being called. Opening them up she looked to Rajeev with regret. "I'm sorry I have to go now; touchups and all that stuff.  I'll see you back here in a few minutes." Masking her disappointment at the untimely interruption, she smiled at him. "The action shots should be lots of fun, don't you think?"

"What action shots, Naomi?"

 

The innovation of the design caused a stir among the onlookers when Naomi returned to set for the next series of photos. Hidden in the stitched panels in the front of the dress had been a series of enclosures, what type none could quite determine, but in undoing them, the demure, elegant anarkali dress had been converted into an open styled coat. Beginning   immediately under the brocaded bodice, the opening allowed glimpses of the deep red low riding fitted western styled skinny pants, as well as fair amount of skin. Completing the outfit were a decadent pair of matching red ankle strapped wedged heel sandals.

 

Rajeev watched stunned as the group neared him. Only this time it wasn't the outfit, or even Naomi on display, yet again, that had him shocked. This time it was the hockey stick his model girlfriend carried, as she listened intently to Rachna giving her last minute instructions.

"No, absolutely no way are you doing this Naomi!"

She had the nerve to smile at him indulgently, like a parent would an indignant child. "But it's my job."

"Well, it's my hockey team."

"And they are my friends." She turned to the little boys waiting. "So boys are we going to play for a bit or what?"

"Naomi..."

"Rajeev Sir, you're causing a scene." Rachna whispered beside him.

"Nay Rachna, I'm saving her from embarrassing herself in front practically all of Banaras. A new hockey stick isn't going to negate the fact that she can't..."

"She wants to do it and if she's willing to take the chance then let her. She knows the risks, and she really wants this to be a part of the shoot. Don't hurt her feelings by denying her and the team their fun. Besides, she really has been practicing."

Rajeev sighed and walked over to where Kabir and Mohit waited. "Okay, we will obviously have to contain the area of play, so my suggestion would be just using one half of the pitch." After confirming with the designer and photographer what he felt would be best, Rajeev walked over to his team to give them instructions. He was about to turn to walk to the sidelines, when Naomi approached him.

"Thank you Rajeev."

He sent her a frown and walked away, hoping that both she, and the designer clothes she wore, survived.

 

Agitated from his encounter with Sonal, Abhi headed back towards the photo shoot. The bitch had had the temerity to request funding to carry out her plans, resorting to thinly veiled threats when it seemed that he wouldn't comply. As if he cared what his wife knew about his activities.  But in the end he had agreed, not due to any fear on his part; hardly. If everything worked out as he expected, he would have his taste of sweet Naomi, well before Sonal could affect her plan. And then she would be entirely beholden to him. He snorted; Sonal had no idea the type of man she was toying with.  In his mind there was only one way that bitter overly smart women like her should be treated.

 He returned just in time to witness Naomi score a goal, and the ensuing celebration by all the brats she played with. He watched her as she sashayed over to the coach and curtseyed in front of him. She stuck out her leg, and tapped her shoe with her hockey stick. Rajeev smiled and nodded to her. His love for the model was clearly expressed as he watched Naomi walk away from him.

Abhi smiled, knowing how shattered he would leave the pair after he had his way.  Very soon, he thought, the sweetness of Naomi would be all his.

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-25 00:42:50