Chapter 37

 Chapter 36

 

Rachna covered her mouth in disbelief as KT reached for the document that their lawyer had just finished detailing for them.  "Are you sure; I mean are you certain that there are no attached stipulations contained in her response?"

"Absolutely none, Mr. Tripathi. I confess that, particularly after the initial meeting, even I expected some resistance, however to put it in plain language your son's mother has consented to the new visitation guidelines in their entirety.  As relayed by her attorney, she has recognized that any opposition will only result in her child's distress, and it's his well-being that is her primary concern." He turned to his client's wife whose expression, a mixture of shock and relief, remained fixed on her face. Considering the maternal body language she was displaying, he was pleased to be able to impart news that would alleviate her particular worries.  Smiling he addressed her. "There is absolutely no expectation that she will request access to your daughter or any future offspring, until such time you and your husband determine that you wish to amend the visitation order."  

 

Kabir double checked Rachna's seat belt and then fastened his. Like his wife, he was still in a state of shock over the unexpected turn of event.  Of course he was thrilled that Sonal had acted reasonably, but he could not help but be suspicious of the reason that she would exhibit such a change of heart.

"KT I just don't understand why she would... it's just not her nature to be, to be so rational".

"I agree Rachna, but I think that we will have to allow that somehow Sonal has seen the light, at least in this instance.  You just need to leave it alone and accept that she has done us a favor. I just need you to not to become over anxious right now tik hai, Rachna. It's not good for you or the baby."

"Ha KT, you are right." She took a deep breath and smiled. "You see I'm ever the dutiable wife, who listens to her husband."

"At least for today, so I guess I better get all of my instructions in before nightfall."

"Oh dear, this doesn't bode well; what is it you want me to do?"

"First you need to move your work back into the studio."

"Nay KT, please no, I've gotten used to having my own space now."

"I'm not comfortable that you are in there alone, Rachna. Suppose something happens when you are there by yourself? At least in the studio you will have the assistants to help you, and to be there with you in the event of an emergency."

"Come on KT, what is the likelihood of that happening? Could I not just have someone with me? I'm sure that Naomi won't mind doing it before you leave, and while you and she are in America, I will make sure that I have an assistant with me at all times. Please?"

He nodded. "I'll agree to it on the condition that you allow me to check the layout of the room. I don't want you overexerting yourself reaching for bolts of fabrics, and I'm certain that you have materials stacked practically to the ceiling by now."

She looked away sheepishly knowing she was absolutely guilty of doing this. "You're such a bully KT," she grumbled belying her complaint with a smile, "But thank you, I love you so much."

 

A dreamy smile on her face, and her mind a million miles away, Naomi sauntered down the stairs, humming softly.  She had on heels again, so considering she was home, Rajeev figured that she was headed to the studio for another fitting. Before she got involved in yet another thing that would keep them apart, he went to intercept her at the foot of the stairs.

"Naomi, stop."

She looked up at him, obviously happy to see him, only adding to his confusion. He raked one hand through his hair. "It seems that you have been avoiding me for days, with no explanation. Just tell me what's going on?"
"I may have been busy, but I haven't been purposely avoiding you, Rajeev."

"You do realize that I am leaving tomorrow morning don't you?"

"Yes Rajeev, I do. You're leaving early in the morning between five and five thirty, since you've decided to drive, and it will take you about five hours to get to Lucknow. You will get there in time for the afternoon opening of the conference.  You've selected all of the workshops, although you still are up in the air about the Sports Psychology workshop.  But I think you will decide to do it. After two full days of workshops, you will stay one more night and then in the morning you will make the drive home.  The furniture is getting delivered that day, so you will come straight to the flat where I will be waiting for you. Yes, I may have been busy, but trust me, I'm not unaware."  She looked around him when she saw KT and Rachna entering and heading to the studio. "I do have a fitting though, why don't you come, since you won't be here for the photo shoot. You can let me know what you think of this dress, it a bit of a departure from what you've seen so far."

"Lead the way sweetheart."

 

"Good Morning Rajeev."

"You should be still asleep Naomi."

She shook her head. "No, here is definitely where I should be." She started walking up to him, wearing the same Hello Kitty pajamas she had worn when he had come to dinner the first time. "Did you really think I would let you leave without saying goodbye?  She stopped on the step below his and smiled. "Besides, even though you got to see the last outfit, I never got around to telling you about the  photo shoot, and why I chose the location."

"It seems pretty self-explanatory, with the studio being where your modelling career began,  it would only make sense that it is where you would end it, so what is there to tell?"

She concurred by nodding. "You're absolutely right, Rajeev. That would make perfect sense if the studio was where the shoot was going to take place. But both you and I know that the studio has its own story, and it's definitely not mine. "

"I'm confused then, I really have no clue."

"No?" she sighed, "Okay give me five minutes to explain."

He nodded and smiling, she passed the travelling cup to him. The scent of freshly brewed coffee emanated from the vessel. "Oh, this is for you to take on the road."

 

She turned away from him then and counted her steps as she walked down the staircase. She stopped. "This is where it begins, right here.  You see I was on this step when I caught the attention of a very special man one day. The next day I shook his hand at the bottom of the stairs and then stormed off up them, after he told me that he would be staying here as a guest as well."

She went down a few steps more. "Right here is where he stopped me and asked for 7 days, one week to get to know him better. And on the very top stair he sat with me and comforted me when I was shattered by my friends' unhappiness."

She walked up slowly, never taking her eyes of him.  "I recall bouncing down these stairs, excited to be running to intrude on his hockey practice. I never considered whether he wanted me to or not, all I knew was that I wanted to be with him."

Rajeev smiled. "And later that day you again stormed up the steps, but leaving puddles in your wake this time, because he kissed you right?"

"Yes and no. Yes I did storm up, but it wasn't because he kissed me, but because I had kissed him back and became scared out of my mind over what I was feeling."

 

She walked around him and went to stand on the stair above him. He turned to face her. Now more or less at eye level with him she continued. "And now there is this stair."

He looked at her puzzled.

"On this stair, I get to tell you what's in my heart. Where I get to say goodbye and wish you safe travels and let you know that even though it will only be for a few days, that I will miss you terribly. But most important of all it's where I tell you, with absolutely no expectations how much I love you Rajeev Agarwal."

 

He didn't say a word, and she was okay with that, but then it appeared he would speak after all.

Shaking her head, she placed her hand on his mouth. "No, you needn't say anything right now, it's okay." She leaned in and kissed him softly on his cheek. "You probably need to get going so you don't get behind schedule. Just send me a message when you arrive, so I don't worry, okay?"

 

Rajeev, nodded and walked down the steps and then headed for the door. He stopped suddenly and stared back up at her. "Naomi can you take three steps down?" She did and he smiled. "You were off by one step; that was the step you were standing on when you got my attention."

She looked down. "Are you sure?"

"Ha Naomi, I am.  I was paying avid attention that day. You see earlier that day I had an encounter with the most beautiful woman when she lost sight of the little girl she was taking care of. I remember that she looked as if she had been crying, but still she had enough nerve to talk back to me when I scolded her for letting the little girl wander onto the hockey pitch. I remember my relief on finding that the little girl wasn't hers, because that meant I wasn't insanely attracted to someone's wife. And when I heard her call the little girl Miss Tripathi I knew that destiny had to be at work. I came that evening especially looking for the beautiful green eyed nanny who had made such an impression on me.

 Naomi laughed. "It's too early in the morning for fibs, Rajeev. You came because you were invited to dinner."

"That's true, but I arrived early for you, so I am absolutely certain, Naomi, that that is the right step." His eyes strayed away from her for a second, and he shook his head before looking back at her.  "Naomi?"

"Yes Rajeev?"

"Just so you know, we will finish this conversation in private on my return, when I get to have my say tik hai? But for now I do think you've chosen the perfect spot for your photo shoot."

 She watched him leave and sighed, and then stifling a yawn, headed back toward her bedroom.

The conversations started as she reached the landing.

 "I think she should have heard him out, what say you Nanhe?"

"Nay Daadi everything was perfect. You agree with Mama don't you Aryia?"

"You lost my daughter, Naomi?"

 She couldn't believe them, even Aryia was up? "Good grief, does no one sleep in this house?"

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-25 01:17:59