Chapter 52

Chapter 51

 

Kabir tapped his model on the shoulder when she didn't immediately respond.  She jumped in reaction, and looking up from her laptop, removed the tiny earphones that had prevented her from hearing his call. She quickly clicked off the page she was on. "Sorry KT, just trying to pass time."

He smiled. "You were smart to decide to bring your laptop at the last moment.  On one hand, we're fortunate that things have gone smoothly for the other models, but because we want the right lighting to best capture your outfit,  we're stuck playing a waiting game due to how efficiently everything is going." He glanced at his watch. "I estimate at a minimum another 30-40 minutes, until you can begin hair and makeup, but once we begin the shoot it shouldn't take too  long after that."

"Hmm that's not far off, so maybe I'll finish up what I am doing and come and see how the other girls are making out. I was so into my research earlier that I barely spoke to them, they probably think I've become all uppity and anti-social now."

Kabir laughed. "Never," really meaning it. Even in the cutthroat world of modelling, Naomi was special. He had never heard any disparaging talk about her from any of her counterparts; a rarity in itself.  He contemplated the other models who were giving their best efforts today, hoping to inspire Nathanial and himself to consider them as possible candidates for the new face of the line, now that Naomi was vacating the spot. While professional to a fault, Kabir still recognized the fierce competiveness amongst the young ladies today. Certainly he could pinpoint the ones that could barely tolerate each other, but collectively it seemed that they all held Naomi in high regard.

"You've been nonstop working on whatever that is, so I figure it's important. Since we will be bringing supper in, you may as well continue. There will be enough time then for you to socialize, thik hai?"

"It is important; thank you, KT." She returned his smile and watched his retreat. When she as sure that Kabir was fully out of sight, Naomi's smile faded completely.  Although none of her findings added up with the information she had received so far, there was definitely something of note yet to discovered, she was certain of it.

 

INUK Agencies

Sarla S Studios

AttireIndia Ltd.

 

These were the three company names that  Rachna had emailed her. All fairly new in the Fashion Agency-cum-Distributors market: all were located in London and all had been formed in the last few years. The oldest was only thirty eight months old. Once she had established this, Naomi had gone on to researching the principals of each company and had been left baffled. Two of the heads were of a comparable age but their history detailed that their careers had been firmly established in the United Kingdom. The third had actually studied in America, but on the west coast.  At first glance there was absolutely no way she could see that would have allowed Sonal to have networked with any of these people. So how was it even remotely possible for her to have recommended these companies to her boss?  Rather than delving into the companies, perhaps the obvious route would be if she could determine what Sonal had been up since she left Banaras in disgrace and had returned to New York.

"Naomi, the caterers have set everything up, if you want a light snack before your shoot."

Thanking the production assistant, Naomi initiated her screen saver, and headed for the buffet.

 

Thinking of you Love...the days seem longer without you...I hope you and the children are resting well.

 

A response to his message was the last thing Kabir expected, but neither was he averse to receiving the call when he looked at the caller ID.

"Hello Beautiful."

"How is it Kabir Tripathi that two people , thousands of miles apart can be thinking the same thing at the exact same time?"

"I think your question should be, when two hearts beat for each other as do yours and mine, how could we not be sharing the same yearnings?"

His wife's voice hitched, and Kabir swore he could feel her emotions through the handset. "Nay Rachna, I can take anything, the distance, the time apart, but never your tears, please don't cry."

Torn between laughter and tears, Rachna wiped her cheeks. "Kabir Tripathi, my hormones are already running amok and you talk to me like that? Surely you must know you can't say such beautiful things to a pregnant woman and not expect a reaction."

"I only speak the truth love." He leaned his forehead on the glass wall of the penthouse  suite where they were shooting . "How are you my darling? How are the children and work and Daadi? Tell me everything if only that I may hear your voice," he pleaded, perhaps a little over exaggeratedly.

She giggled. "Okay, that was a little too over the top Kabir, but everything is fine. It was a good day, a very good day."

He sat on the contemporary staircase in the center of the space, and listened as Rachna retold the day's happenings. He smiled proudly as she relayed the happiness of her client at her final product: shook his head at her description of Sanjay's attempt to feed his sister at dinner time and the ensuing mess and murmured his agreement for her coach's actions when she complained of Rajeev's bossiness in insisting she leave her workshop when she had snuck back down there earlier that night.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's left his bedroom door ajar just to listen out for my next attempt."

 "Rachna..."

"I'm just joking KT. You can rest assured that I am in bed for the evening. Still I would have thought that my excuse that I was inspired to start working on something for Naomi would carry more clout, but not tonight at least. How is she KT, do you know if she has made any more progress with her parents?"

Kabir stole a glance in the direction of the young woman in question gaily chatting with the other models. "It's hard to know on that front, but it's going to work out Rachna, I promise you."

"I believe you KT." She sighed.  "All I can say, is if it doesn't pan out it won't be for a lack of effort on everyone's part."

"What do you mean, Rachna...Rachna?" In the background Kabir heard the infantile mutterings which must have gotten his wife's attention.

"KT, I have to go, Aryia's fussing, and I don't want her to awaken Sanjay. He is well enough to go back to kindergarten tomorrow, so he definitely needs to have a sound rest. Do you have a jam packed schedule tomorrow? I really  would like to discuss some other things with you."

"Thik hai Rachna, I will send you a message so we can determine the best time."

"I love you so much KT, goodbye."

"Good Night beautiful."

 

 

The cajoling continued until the last group of models prepared to leave. "We're not going to let you off the hook so easy Naomi. We are going to party hard at least one night before you leave!"

She made her response as non-committal as possible. "We'll see." She knew it would be difficult to dissuade the group, but their idea of partying, maybe even too much for her.

"You should go Naomi, I'm sure it will be great fun," Nathanial called out.

"As long as you and KT come along, then..." She laughed when the designer threw his hands up in the air.

"No way, I'll leave that to the young crowd. I'd rather go home to the family, and even though he can only settle for a skype date; well I'm sure KT would prefer that over a night of clubbing."

As would I,' Naomi thought wistfully. She shook her head, "Well we have to get through this launch before I can even consider any of that.  Mohit are you ready?"

Darkness had rapidly fallen and the backdrop of the lit city skyline had created a spellbinding canvas for their photography.  In direct competition the navy satin lehnga with an almost perfect silver embroidered skyline on the lower half of the full skirt, was the quintessential fusion of Hindi and western fashion. The photographer picked up his camera and gave his final instructions.  "Anything goes Naomi, just go for it and have fun." He passed her closely. "Think those happy thoughts that have been coming through in your photos of late," he whispered, and captured the blush that immediately came to her face.  Naomi gave the photographer everything he asked for and more. She was happy and funny, sultry and sexy, serious and pensive and just for good measure she played to her inner fan-girl when she grabbed an apple off the buffet table and held it in both hands. "We will call this photo Bella in the City, Mohit Sir."

The photographer laughed. "So what do you think; how did she do?"

Naomi looked around in confusion as neither KT nor Nathaniel were in the room." Mohit Sir, who?"

The photographer walked over to the computer set on the stool next to his camera tripod. Her computer she noticed,that he blocked momentarily, before moving away to reveal the person on the other end of the skype call.

"I think she was beautiful as usual. In fact I think one of these photos should be added to your screen saver collection. You are certainly fit the theme in that ensemble, Sweetheart."

"Well I don't have anything from New York." She beamed; she was so happy." But how, Rajeev?"

"Ah well let's just say that a photographer took pity on a man whose sweetheart misled him into thinking she was available by leaving her computer on."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't even consider.."

"Calm down Naomi, it's okay.  I just count myself lucky to see you at work once again. Are you certain you are ready to call it quits; you are just wonderful at it."

"Are you telling me that you are okay with this separation, Rajeev; because I'm not coping well at all."

She had a point, Rajeev thought.

 

Rachna opened the entrance door, and smiled at the memory of how excited little Sanjay had been when she had dropped him to school this morning. He had returned the conquering hero with all the attention on him from his teacher and classmates. Reassuring him that she would return that afternoon, and that they would go and visit his mother at the hospital, Rachna had kissed him goodbye and accepted his hug. Thank God he was none the worse for wear after his ordeal , Rachna thought as she placed the post she had collected on the side table. She was about to enter her workshop to let Arpita know that she would be with her immediately after she had checked on Aryia, when she caught a snippet of the conversation between her assistant and  a visitor.

"This is so exciting for you to have the chance to work with her. Our boss is so impressed with her."

"Ha, you're right. I mean I was excited enough when I got the position with KT Creations, but when this came up, I jumped at the chance. Now I'm just doing my best to prove myself invaluable to her so maybe this can become a permanent post. But what about you, how are you finding Patel Industries?"

"It's good, really, really good. I like that I'm able to utilize my business studies and still be involved in fashion. The environment is really nice as well, especially the last few days," the other person answered.

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. Patel's assistant; she's awful, but one way or another she always manages to get away with everything, until this. I have never seen Mr. Patel so angry. He has been working on this symposium for a while and he was keen on including Banaras Beauty right from the start. All of the invitees had received their offers, and most had even responded, but somehow this package was never sent out. It was the weirdest thing, as if she had purposely avoided sending it out. Anyway it caused a huge fracas in the office, but then Miss Sonal had her accident and Mr. Patel softened his stance towards her again. Still he asked me to hand deliver this to Mrs. Tripathi right away."

 

Rachna called for Arpita as she walked into the door. Immediately the young women ceased talking. The young woman introduced herself and made it known that she and Arpita were former college mates. Accepting the package, Naomi asked the young lady to advise Mr. Patel that she would be in contact with him shortly, and then asked Arpita to see the young lady out.

 

Sensing that her boss had heard more than she had indicated when she walked in, Arpita attempted to broach the subject, "Rachna..."

" Aprita, because we are home based, as my assistant you will be clearly be exposed to more personal aspects of our lives. Obviously the fact that we are caring for Sonal's son shows that our connection is more than professional. While I don't see the need to hold you at fault for your friend's disclosure, I will ask that you respect the need for discretion, as it pertains to this situation."

"Of course Rachna, I'm so sorry."

"There is no need for apologies Arpita, we will just move on from this, thik hai?" She smiled at the younger woman as she opened the package. "Now perhaps we should have a look at this; it could mean some very exciting times for us."

 

Ra, It's obvious that she was trying to keep you away from this opportunity. It's possible that she may want to hinder your success, but my gut tells me it has something more to do with the symposium itself and these companies she has recommended to her boss. I'm still not convinced that she could have made these connections from New York. Are you sure that she returned New York when she left Banaras? Is it not possible that she diverted to the UK for any length of time? Naomi

 

Naomi, As far as I'm  aware (and from what KT has told me) she was definitely in New York after she left. Besides remember I told you Sanjay asked her if she thought her mother was still mad at her? She may lie but Sanjay wouldn't. Rachna.

 

Ra, You're right, it wouldn't be in our JayJay to lie, but he still may help. For the longest time he was trying to show me something on my screen saver collection; somewhere he had been, but we never got around to it. I may be grasping at straws, but I really think we need know. And before you say anything, I do not have anything from NYC in my rotation. Off to bed, but let me know ASAP Naomi.

 

The next morning Naomi got up and immediately refreshed her email. Her stomach was in knots when saw a new message from Rachna.

 

It was the Eye - The London Eye He likes it a lot, but his mother never took him there. Aunty Reena took him all the time though. Don't ask who she is I don't know. Naomi, what do we do now? [NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-25 18:57:14