Chapter 53

Chapter 52

 

She had been in tears when she telephoned, and nothing he said would calm her down.  "I'm sorry; I tried so hard," she had sobbed. "They don't understand, they won't even try, Rajeev. I love you so much and it doesn't mean anything to them...they just won't listen."

"Hush Sweetheart, I'll make it okay."

"You won't be able to. I...I just called to say goodbye."

"No..."

That was it, all that Rajeev remembered of the dream, but it was more than enough to have haunted him all day. Over and over, the same scene had played in his head, ruining his focus and souring his mood. His concentration had been disrupted; his patience practically non-existent.  But finally, here was the chance for peace, he thought as he parked the car outside of the Tripathi residence. Inside, the easy camaraderie of the two women, as well as the innocent antics of the children, presented a sure way to improve his mood.  He looked at his watch and smiled. And in a few hours, at last, he would get the chance to contact Naomi.

 

"Rajeev Uncle, Rajeev Uncle, come quick!"

 

He had barely taken three steps into the house, when he was met by an animated Sanjay, who took hold of his hand excitedly to pull him in. Rajeev stopped and held the little boy. "Beta what is it; is something wrong?"

"Nay Uncle, Mama is home, come and see!"

Sonal here? That didn't make sense, even if she had been discharged from the hospital, surely she hadn't regained her mobility sufficiently enough to visit, he thought, certainly not with the extent of injuries that Rachna had described. Still, he smiled in reaction to the child's exuberance; perhaps Rachna had been wrong. As improbable as it seemed Sonal was here to collect her child, and while he has certain that Sanjay had enjoyed his time here with his family, the opportunity to go home with his mother overruled even this. He would miss the youngster, but as they say, there's no place like home. Trailing behind Sanjay, Rajeev walked into a scene that confirmed how very wrong his assumptions had been.

 

"Nay, Nay Sonal, you just stay there on the sofa and rest. Robin can you see the young lady to the door and then return to take Sonal's luggage to the bedroom down the hall...Sanjay, beta, where did you get to...ah Rajiv Beta, you are home at last...Sanjay no, you mustn't climb on your mother's lap right now. You will have plenty of time to do so, but for now, you must let her rest."

"Impossible" Rajeev thought. There was no way that Sonal could be staying here. "Daadi?"

"Your medications Sonal, you did bring them with you?"
"Ha Dadi they are in my handbag,"

"Daadi?"

"Aacha, here they are good, good. We will just set them aside for now." The older woman looked at her watch. "The nurse should be here momentarily and then we will get you settled more comfortably, thik hai?"

 

With not even the slightest opportunity of Kabir's grandmother's acknowledging him, let alone providing an explanation for the inconceivable decision to allow Sonal residency, Rajeev didn't stay to hear the younger woman's response as he went elsewhere to seek his answers.  He entered the workshop and closed the door behind him... hard. The sound reverberated throughout the house, and at once garnered the attention he had sought.

Had he been on the other side of the door, perhaps he would have noted the sly look on their new guest's face, but out of sight, behind the closed door, his focus was already on the young woman who had startled when the peace of her environment had been so disrupted.

"I truly believed that Kabir was overzealous with his request that I stay and watch out for you, but obviously he knows you far better than I, Rachna." He gestured towards the lounge. "Even still,  I'm certain  he never would have fathomed that you would make such a foolhardy decision as to move Sonal into his home!"

Meeting his gaze steady, Rachna breathed deeply. "And what was the alternative, Rajeev? She is here alone, far from her family; how could she possible cope? Now she can be comfortable and have the support she needs to fully recover. We've hired a nurse to tend to her so.."

"Be that as it may, Rachna, that same nurse could have cared for her, in her own home."

"Ha she could have, but what about Sanjay? Sonal would still not be able to suitably care for Sanjay, and would it have been fair to keep him away from his mother? We have enough space, and this way I can ensure that my husband's son remains properly cared for during his mother's covalence."

She watched as he put one hand up to his eyes. "You know this makes no sense Rachna.  Just a matter of weeks ago, you perceived this woman such a threat that you were willing to leave your husband and walk away from your marriage, and now..."

"Rajeev, you need to understand that circumstances change and...and sometimes one has to do things... just leave it be, and know that what I am doing is for the best." She raised her chin. "Besides, my husband has full faith in me and I am certain that Kabir would see the right it this decision."

Eyes narrowed, Rajeev studied his former student. He observed the steadfastness on her face; the confidence in the choice she had made. But when she saw him reaching for his mobile, he noted the crack in her faade, as she realized his intention. "Thik hai, Rachna, for my peace of mind, let's see if your husband is in agreement with this reckless decision you have made."

She took a step towards him, but he had already started dialing. "Rajeev..please..wait."

 

Naomi stood quietly as the two designers perused the fit of the dress she wore. It was the showstopper and there weren't enough superlatives to describe it. It was magnificent, a truly stunning creation.  And never in her modelling career had Naomi ever wanted a fitting to be over so that she could change out of an outfit. She had never been more uncomfortable in her life. Fit-wise it was perfect, and would show well on the runway, but Naomi knew it would take everything in her to get through that final walk. Nathaniel nodded, smiled and then turned away to another task, clearly satisfied with the dress. Naomi sighed, one down; one to go," she thought as was left awaiting only KT's endorsement.  He stepped in closer to her.

"Is there a problem, Naomi?" Kabir asked in a low voice.

"N..no KT why do you ask?"

He stepped around her to take a look from another angle. "I must say this has been the quietest fitting I've ever had with you.  Dare I suggest that you don't care for our design, dear?" he teased with a chuckle.

"I don't know how to explain. Actually..." She paused when KT's mobile rang and waited for him to take of the incoming call."

"Rajeev, what is it; has something happened? Hello ... hello Rajeev, are you there?"

 

He would give her a chance. Ignoring his gut feeling that her choice was wrong, Rajeev decided that Rachna knew better than he, the reasons for the decision she made. He didn't agree, but she deserved the benefit of defending her actions.  "Hello Kabir, my apologies. It wasn't my intent to alarm you. I was actually hoping to reach Naomi."

The relief in the other man's voice was palpable. "She's actually here with me in the middle of a fitting. Can you take care of whatever it is in ten minutes?"

"Ji Kabir. Thank you." He looked over at the woman he was with and shook his head at her mouthed thanks. At least the chance to speak to Naomi had come out of this, he thought.

"Rajeev is something wrong?" Her voice was rife with concern when she answered, but still it offered the respite he sought all day.

"Would the fact that I've had a bad day, and needed to hear your voice serve as a good enough excuse to have called your boss?"

She laughed uncertainly, "I'm not sure...it seems so out of character for you, Rajeev. But I really like that you believe that I could make your day better. Was it really that horrible?"

He watched as Rachna left the room to give him some privacy. "I can attest that talking to you has definitely been the highlight of my day, Sweetheart. So are you super busy?" She giggled again, and his heart lightened even more.

"I don't know what has got into you but, I'm so glad you called me." Her voice lowered conspiratorially. "You've saved me you know; your call literally stopped me from telling Kabir that this design he has me in is totally obscene. I feel so self-conscious in it Rajeev. This dress..."

"Is this is same woman who has continuously defended everything Kabir Tripathi has ever designed?"

"Don't misunderstand me, the gown is gorgeous, but.. it..it should be kept confined to the privacy of the wearer's bedroom, and only should she and her significant other see her in it."

"What?"

"Let's just say that, one on one you would love me in it, but not so much me wearing it for an audience. It's probably good that I will be walking the runway with KT and Nathanial, in all likelihood they will have to drag me down the catwalk."

"I don't know how to respond to that. I'm even too scared to ask for more details."

"Well, let's leave that alone, for now. I'm hoping to do some shopping later today, and was thinking what would be good to bring back as gifts for our boys; any ideas?"

Rajeev brightened up considerably with the change of topic, especially one linked to her coming back home. He detailed some things he thought the children may enjoy, but soon it was time for her to return to work. "I'll let you get back to your fitting, then. Tell Kabir thanks for allowing the intrusion."

"Okay Rajeev, have a good evening. I'll speak to you tonight, well my night- your morning. I love you."

 

Naomi disconnected and exhaled. That was so close. As much as he cared for her, Naomi knew that Rajeev would have never have called KT in an attempt to reach her. Clearly what was going on at home had been the motivation for his call to the designer. Poor Rachna; she had to have freaked out when Rajeev placed the call, but somehow she must have dissuaded him at the last minute and Rajeev had asked to speak to her instead. Hopefully whatever she had done would be enough, to give Rachna the time she needed to advise her husband on her plans. Naomi was sure that whatever Rajeev's reaction to the discovery of Sonal's  extended visit had been,  would  pale in comparison to KT finding out from anyone else but his wife.

"Thanks KT," she said handing the mobile back.

"That was unexpected; is everything okay?"

She brushed off his query. "It's nothing. I think maybe he has picked up my melodramatic tendencies."

He didn't look convinced, but left well enough alone. "Thik hai; if that's your story...So I think before that call came we were discussing what you thought of the dress."

"Umm, well... "

 

"If I wasn't confident in my abilities, I think she would have given me a complex, Rachna. I've never seen her have such an unfavorable reaction to one of my designs. It was incredible, especially considering how amazing she looked in it."

"I think you should count yourself lucky Kabir Tripathi. Contract or no, had it been any other designer she probably would have flatly refused to wear such a daring design. She must have felt so awkward.

 Kabir chuckled, "Well I did hear her mumble that she would love it if she was on her honeymoon, since that's the only place it should be worn and only her husband should see her so attired. And while I'm on the subject of honeymoon s and potential husbands, did I mention that your coach has fallen so hard that he's now telephoning me to reach her? I couldn't believe it when he did. "

"That's because it wasn't his original intention. Rajeev called because he was furious that I had done something you would disapprove of. "

"And that would be what exactly, Rachna?"

"Sonal was scheduled to be released from hospital, and in the best interests of everyone I have brought her home to stay until she recovers to the point where she can care for both herself and Sanjay. Already Sanjay is much happier and before you concern yourself that Daadi and I have taken on too much, I have hired a nurse to attend to..."

"Thik hai, it sounds as you have everything well in hand, Rachna."

His wife looked stunned on the other end of the skype call. "You are okay with this KT; are you sure you have no objections?"

crtkelly2016-05-26 01:50:35