Chapter 41

Chapter 40

 Ok I have been suitably chastised;  Kelly, thou shalt not post an update of a RaBir FF without RaBir in it. Hope this make up for my egregious error ...Enjoy RaBirians!

 

Deciding that the half inch width was the better of the two lace borders, Rachna handed it to Arpita who was assisting her today.  She approached the young woman who had gone to stand beside the mannequin that they were using.  Referring to the sketch she had pinned on the nearby board, she demonstrated how she needed the embellishment to be affixed. Handing the task over to the intern, Rachna smiled, watching her replicate what she had been shown. KT had definitely found an apt pupil in this young woman.

 

Beside her, Arpita unsuccessfully attempted to cover her laughter with a fake cough.

"Hi Papa...Hi Papa!"

"...eight ...nine...ten." She opened her eyes and looked at her watch - exactly one hour and fifteen minutes. She turned in anticipation of his latest excuse.  He was empty handed, unlike the last couple of times:  no fabric samples or sketches to review apparently. She raised her eyebrows; obviously a new tactic was at hand.

"Yes, Kabir Tripathi?"

Unlike his initial visits, Rachna was not even attempting to hide her irritation anymore; his wife was clearly not impressed. Even if her expression wasn't a dead giveaway, the use of his full name certainly was.  "It's time for lunch Rachna. Daadi has sent me to collect you and Aryia."  Allowing no objection, Kabir went to the playpen and gathered their daughter in his arms. He waited while she gave her assistant the instruction to complete the task, informing her that she could take her lunch break afterwards.

 

 Rachna smiled graciously at the young woman and then turned to her husband and looped her arm in his. At least this was a legitimate excuse. Contently she walked with her family out of her workshop. She was feeling a little hungry anyway.

"Perhaps you should consider taking a rest immediately after lunch..."

Her glare was sufficient to stop him from completing his sentence.  Separating from him, Rachna held her arms out in silent request for their daughter, and when Kabir passed her Aryia , succinctly informed him that she was going to the nursery to clean her up and no, she did not require his assistance.

He watched her ascent up the stairs and then moved to the dining room. Unfastening his jacket button, Kabir took his seat at the table, where Daadi had just finished bringing out the lunch dishes.

"Nanhe, you are smothering her. Can't you see that it is driving her mad?"

"Daadi, I'm doing nothing of the sort."

Her raised eyebrow told different. "Beta I don't think you were even this anxious when she carried Aryia. And clearly that worked out fine. So why..."

He sighed , clearly he was more anxious than he thought. "I wish I had the answer Daadi. All I know is that after our upheavals of late, my entire focus has become centered on her  care and her happiness."

"As admirable as that is Nanhe, there is such a thing as over-kill. It would be different if Rachna was overexerting herself or disregarding her health, but she isn't and you know that she won't."

"But..."

"Nay Beta, you know I'm speaking the truth. Rachna understands her limitations. She will do nothing to endanger herself or your child, thik hai?"

"Ha Daadi, you are right."

Rachna looked over at daadi, who smiled back at her and winked.  She could only assume that the older, wiser woman had spoken to her grandson, who was in a decidedly calmer state of mind now.

"KT , how is your schedule for the remainder of the day; will you have need for Arpita later today?"

"Actually all I have scheduled is a teleconference at seven this evening with the New York firm, but before that, not particularly."

Rachna nodded. "In that case, I think that I will just work perhaps another couple of hours and then take a rest. We have made some really good progress today. Arpita is definitely a quick study. I may have to steal her from you on a permanent basis."

Kabir smiled. "That may not be a bad idea , she's very keen to learn. Rachna, since I have a bit of a lull this afternoon, how abut I take our princess for a little playtime after lunch, and then see if I can get her to settle for a nap. That way once you have finished your work, all you will have to worry about is yourself."

Rachna laughed softly and leaned closer to her husband. "Aacha. There's the sensible man I fell in love with. For a moment I thought he had been replaced by some overbearing, interfering dimwit." Her lips brushed his lightly. "Thank you KT that would be lovely."

Lost in the joy of playing with his daughter, KT was unaware how much time had passed, until his little angel had finally gave in and stopped resisting the nap that beckoned her. Once settled on his chest, the steady beat of his heart finally lulled her to sleep. Carefully he stood and placed Aryia in her crib. He leaned over and kissed her soft cheek, amused by the half-smile he was rewarded with, her happiness evident even as she slept.

He looked at his watch, and immediately wondered if Rachna had completed her work. After this morning he was hesitant to disturb her space again and risk her ire, so instead of following his instinct to go downstairs, he diverted to their bedroom.  She greeted him with a small smile, and patted the bed beside her in invitation.

"Excellent timing KT, as inviting as my pillows are, I can think nothing better than the opportunity to lie on my husband's chest."

Relishing any opportunity to hold his wife, Kabir came to the bed and stretched out propping himself up on the headboard. When she came close to him, he reached around her shoulder, and tucked her under his am, allowing her to rest her head on him. Finding the spot she wished, she lay her head on his chest. A sigh on contentment escaped her lips, the sound the sweetest sonata Kabir had ever heard.  Deliberately he stroked her arm, knowing the effect the soft caresses would have on her. She moved restlessly against him.

"For someone insisting that I take rest, you are certainly doing your best to make that impossible Kabir Tripathi."

He stopped his actions, and felt her mouth curve into a smile against his chest. "Much better."

"I had a very productive half day KT. I really think that I would like to have Arpita work with me again. Do you think she would be interested?"

Kabir recalled the young woman's enthusiasm when he had assigned her the task of assisting Rachna today.  "I think that shouldn't be too much of an issue. I hear through the grapevine that Rachna Tripathi and Banaras Beauty are the hottest ticket right now.  A certain society wedding in Mumbai has created quite the stir amongst the very fashionable."

The media coverage on Shryia's shaadi had been far more than even she had expected, and both her client and her mother had sung her praises to anyone who would listen. Consequently she had received an increased number of queries. Her schedule was workable right now, but Rachna could see that changing as time went by, and she was worried.

"KT, do you remember that reporter from the launch that I wasn't too fond of?"

"Aacha, do you mean the one who ended up writing that most complimentary article on my super-woman wife, balancing family and career, a stunning example of India's new young professional?"

Rachna chuckled softly, the tone of the article had certainly surprised her in the most pleasant fashion, when she finally read it. "Yes that one.  Well today when I opened up my emails, all I could think of was his question; if this was the ideal time to embark on such a venture."

She paused and Kabir waited for her to continue.

"I have everything I want KT, but I truly don't know how I'm going to handle everything in the coming months. I'm selfish  in that I don't want to step back from my line, but I don't know how I will manage to do everything  and mother two children the way they  need to be and deserve.  Unless Naomi is willing to become a full time child caregiver, a hired nanny is out of the question. She is the only one I would trust to care for our children." She sighed. "I just can't see a compromise to the situation."

 Absently, Kabir started rubbing her arm again, but so softly that his touch was more of a balm than an enticement.

"As I see it Rachna you have a choice of one of three options.  The first is that you capitalize on the sensation that is Rachna Tripathi and become the elusive, highly sought after designer of Banaras Beauty offering her design talents to the chosen few."

The very thought elicited the laughter he sought from her.

"Or, just as you detailed to your reporter friend, you rely on the support of someone who will always be there for you and our children to get you through this period of uncertainty you are in. I will do anything to make your dreams a reality Rachna, so I think that is probably the best option."

He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. "I definitely think this the best way to go."

She nuzzled her head against his chest "Hmm, that sounds perfect."

Laying on his chest, listening to the steady beats of her husband's heart Rachna marveled as her own breaths seemed to have gradually slowed down to match the constant rhythm echoing in her ear.  She could stay here forever if he would allow it.

 "And the third option, KT?"

"Ah well I think that caution dictates that I keep that one to myself."

"Aacha?"

"I don't imagine it would be best to announce a hostile takeover with too much advance notice. Just imagine the conglomerate KT Creations would be come with the acquisition of Banaras Beauty.  No it would be better to keep my dastardly planning to myself for now. Suffice to say, I am certain KT Creations is privy to all manner of weaknesses to achieve this goal. You see it's common knowledge that the lead designer of Banaras Beauty has quite the tendre for one Kabir Tripathi.  She will be quite susceptible to the machinations that lead to her downfall."

 

Rachna rose from where she was resting so that she now leaned on his shoulder. She took one finger and slowly crafted imaginary circles on his chest. Her touch felt like heaven, and when she turned her doe eyes to meet his, Kabir was totally lost. He stayed put as she came closer to place a soft tentative kiss on his lips. The slight nibble on his lower lip made him gasp, and then she thoroughly kissed him, her tongue delving in to parry with his. He had no will power to resist her.

 She wasn't unaffected when she raised her head from his , but he was decidedly worked up after her advances. "Machinations, you say Kabir Tripathi? Never, ever underestimate the fierceness of a mother, sir. You would be lucky if I still employ you after I'm finished with you. Actually that may be the answer after all, I grow my empire and leave you to care for our children. And I would have you thinking it your own idea to boot, Kabir."

 

Gently Kabir maneuvered so that Rachna lay flat on the bed. He smiled down at her. "So I am so easily swayed, that I would willingly give up all that I've worked for."

She nodded, aware of her appeal.

 

Kabir checked his watch before he walked back into the bedroom. There was still some time before dinner, but Rachna was still resting. Quietly he placed the covered dish on the nightstand beside her where she would see the snack immediately.  For a minute he stood admiring her as she slept, but in keeping with his new vow not to hover over her so much, he left the room and headed back to the studio. Even that was difficult to do; his wife was quite the convincer after all, such that it was hard to contemplate leaving her side at all.

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-25 02:05:34