Chapter 78

Chapter 76

 

Rachna had been a no show to the symposium.

 

In light of the troubles that seemed to have visited her in recent days; this snippet of news, on her first day back in the office, was more than welcome to Sonal's ears. At least in this regard, she had achieved a measure of success.  She could rest easier knowing that Rachna's chance of interacting with those who could expose her past had been nullified, leaving her still with an unobstructed avenue to achieve her ultimate aim. Barely able to contain her mirth she cleared her throat to cover the bubbling glee which would surely be frowned on in the present setting. Sitting a bit more upright in her chair, Sonal struggled to concentrate on what her boss was relaying.

 

"Ironically Banaras Beauty still has managed to be one of the frontrunners in terms of interest from the distributors across the board, from the largest to the smallest companies. We will definitely need to provide Mrs. Tripathi with the support worthy of the interest that her line has garnered. Her success is our success and could translate into quite the profit for us," Mr. Patel indicated to the gathered personnel. He studied the ensemble thoughtfully before coming to his conclusion. Laksh..."

"Ji Sir."

"I am assigning Banaras Beauty to you.  It's absolutely imperative that you deliver the level of..."

 

Sonal blinked wildly. She couldn't believe this, any of it. How was this even possible? There was no way that that behenji could have gathered the degree of attention that predicated the assignment of one of Patel Industries top executives. Dammit she hadn't even been in attendance, Sonal thought, and still the possibility of the multiple, extremely lucrative offers that looked to be coming her way was high. How in this life or the next could this be possible or even considered fair? This...nothing from this backwards place...bah it didn't bear thinking about.  She would just concentrate on her plan for Kabir's wealth, and assuring that her son would become the rightful heir to it. However this would easier to do  if she completely eliminated the threat of discovery, and this meant that in no way could Rachna come into contact with the principals of the companies she had referred to her boss.  Dismissing Mr. Patel's insistent discourse, full of praise for the designer du jour, Sonal tuned him out and turned her attention instead to her co-worker who had been assigned Banaras Beauty's portfolio. She didn't know Laksh well, but it was high time for her to make the time to do so. She sent him a small smile in his direction and was rewarded with a small nod of acknowledgement in return. Coyly she turned away, and re-focused on the meeting. Thankfully her superior had recalled that there had been other participants in the symposium and had moved on from Banaras Beauty.  When the meeting finally adjourned she made certain she was one of the last to leave, and pretended to be obtuse to the fact that so had Laksh. Silently collecting her things, she turned to exit the boardroom. She estimated five steps would have her out of the room, and began her countdown with her first stride. 5...4...3...2

"Sonal ji, I wonder if you had a moment to spare?"

Her back to the executive, Sonal closed her eyes in triumph savoring her success in gaining his attention. She turned, flashing a welcoming smile. "Sure Laksh, how can I help you?"

...

 

Obviously serious concessions were being made for their celebrity patient Kabir noted as he had walked into the coaching session Rajeev was delivering from his hospital bed. Dressed in their away kit, the SVC hockey team along with the assistant coaches stood in rapt attention of their Rajeev Sir's instructions in advance of their departure to the neighboring college for the quarterfinal round of the collegiate competition. Standing beside the open door of the now crowded room, Kabir openly eavesdropped. Rajeev was good, very good Kabir observed: both encouraging and demanding of his athletes- nothing less than victory was expected- and the young women responded accordingly to his directives. They would leave determined to bring home the victory for their college, and probably even more-so, Kabir surmised, for their beloved coach. His rapport with the group was beyond reproach; a sight to behold to the casual observer.  Scanning the room, Kabir searched the faces of the few men in the room and easily pinpointed the person they hoped to speak with. He stood in a corner, the perfect vantage to capture the goings on with his camera. As they had discussed, this prearranged gathering would probably present the best and more importantly most inconspicuous opportunity to chat with the college student.

"Your best is all I ask for...no excuses ladies."

"Yes Sir!"

The team prepared to file out of a room in an orderly, almost military like precision that spoke to the restraint that their coach had instilled in them as a unit. Kabir stood the side to allow them clear access.

"Good Luck Ladies," he called out as the group exited.

A chorus of thank yous reached his ears, before Kabir entered the room properly. Giving a final debriefing to the assistant coaches, Rajeev's attention had not even swayed to acknowledge Kabir's arrival, but the photographer's had. He hadn't hidden his disappointment quickly enough when he identified the new entrant. Kabir was plainly not his hoped for quarry, but the student had just as rapidly plastered an affable grin to greet the designer.

"Namaste, Kabir Sir."

"Namaste Karan, capturing the moment again I see."

"Ha, it has been an exciting season so far."

Kabir indicated to the team congregating in the hall. "Are you traveling with them, then?"

"No, I actually have my own transportation, since it gives me more flexibility to come and go as my classes dictate."

Kabir nodded his agreement to the young man's point. "That seems sensible." He noticed that the discussion had finished and that the assistant coaches were now leaving. On cue Rajeev called out to Karan, which allowed Kabir to follow and close the door behind the departing athletic staff.  Just in case, Kabir also closed the curtain which afforded them privacy away from any prying eyes for their discussion.  And then he waited, his arms crossed in front of him.

 

The room became muted when Kabir nodded in the direction of his friend laid up in his hospital bed.

"You've really taken some great shots of the girls' season thus far; you must be building quite the portfolio, Karan."

"Ha Rajeev Sir, I guess I've officially become the unofficial team photographer. I've been really lucky that the college has used so many on them on their website."

"That's great, but I suppose the real satisfaction has to be the extra money you have made selling photos to the newspaper, aacha? Specifically the ones of Naomi and me?"

"I don't know what you are..."

"You may as well confess. You see, I saw you in the park a few days ago, Karan. And I saw exactly who was the focus of your picture taking."

"So what's the going rate, Karan," Kabir called out from behind him.

"I...I haven't done anything wrong, just take a few pictures," the young man stuttered, finally comprehending the precarious state he was in left alone with the two men. "It was just an easy way to make some side money, that's all. The reporter just thought I..." he paused when Rajeev Sir held up his hand, and he looked nervously behind him as Kabir approached.

"Settle down Karan, your side job isn't our first priority...at least not today. But we are hoping that you can spare us some time to review some of your photography, specifically the images taken at the park. You still have all of them I hope?"

"Ha," the young man readily agreed.

"Thik hai,"Kabir answered, "How soon will you be available; it's rather important and I will need to schedule Mohit to come to assist."

"Will this afternoon after the game be soon enough," Karan queried, somewhat relieved that the circumstances were not as dire as he first thought. But then he stepped right into the thick of things when he asked the set of questions he shouldn't have. "Does this have to do with Naomi; I can't believe she's not here at your side Rajeev Sir. Where is she exactly?"

The coach's eyes hardened as he looked at the young man; a sight not usually revealed to his students.

"Karan I would advise you not to concern yourself with my wife any longer after today, thik hai?"

"Your...wife Rajeev Sir," the student replied shocked knowing that their wedding wasn't scheduled for another few weeks.

"Ha my wife," the coach replied resolutely.

Kabir interceded when the young man looked foolish enough to continue the conversation. "Perhaps you should think about leaving so you don't miss any of the action, Karan. I'm sure Rajeev Sir will appreciate seeing the photos of today's game a little later."

Thankfully the young man took the hint and bade the two men goodbye.

"You're getting a little testy there, my friend."

"Wouldn't you be in my situation," Rajeev asked. He then disclosed the true nature of his surliness. "I can't fly to be with her, not for a minimum of six weeks because of the surgery I had to undergo to repair the damage."

"The wedding?"

The coach shook his head. "Done; Maa is reaching out to Naomi's parents today. And I'm pretty sure my filling Naomi's maang that night, and claiming her for my wife won't exactly fly with my in-laws."

"It's simple then, "Kabir concluded, "get married here, we can pull a suitable wedding together in a matter of days if need be."

"Nay, I don't even want her to return if I can't guarantee her safety. Besides until she remembers, what chance do I have of even convincing her to come back? Everything we have done to protect her, is now working against me."

It was a dilemma for sure, Kabir thought, sitting in the chair beside the coached bed, pondering what could be done to help remove the roadblocks consistently being thrown in their friends' way.

...

 

The designer and the businesswoman danced around the issue for almost an hour. Sarla Sehgal had taken the opportunity to have a closer, in depth look at Rachna's work shop, her wares, her designs. In return she answered all of the young designer's questions on her company, and the opportunities an association with her company would bring. They were impressive, and under different, or perhaps the proper circumstances, the two companies could be considered a good fit; Sarla S being a definite contender in Rachna's choice as a distribution partner. But all of the parrying was to no avail. The two women were at an impasse, neither knowing exactly how to broach the topic that they each hoped to raise. Thankfully Aryia, who had slept through most of this meeting awoke and became the catalyst to bring the unspoken topic to the fore.

"Your daughter is even more beautiful in person Mrs. Tripathi,"Sarla had commented admiring the striking toddler.

"Thank you so much. And please call me Rachna," she said smiling. "Anyone who has such an appreciation for my child, I must consider a friend. "

The other woman nodded and returned the smile. "In that case, I must insist that you call me Sarla." A bit more at ease, she continued. "So is she your only child?"

"Yes, at least for the next six months."

The woman opposite her looked at her with a confused expression. "Oh then, congratulations, but I thought the little boy in your presentation, he is such a beautiful child as well and...well he looked so much a part of your family in the photos."

Rachna studied the woman for a minute, and then instead of answering, offered her some chai, while she attended to Aryia, who was in need of a change. She left her in Arpita's capable hands while she did the needful for her child. After about ten minutes she returned firm in her decision. Finally, Rachna thought, answers would be provided. She rejoined the women in the lounge and cleared her throat. "So, where we, Sarla?"

"The little boy in your photo; if not family, is he a child model you hired?'

"Oh, he is very much a part of our family. We all love him very much. But nay, he isn't mine. Sanjay is actually my husband's son." Rachna took a sip from the cup of tea that had been poured for her. "At least that is what Sanjay's mother, Sonal would have us believe."

The gasp she heard when first revealing Sanjay's name echoed at her comment. Rachna nodded at her assistant. Arpita's face concisely showed her complete understanding the purpose of what had been done. She then directed her next comment to their visitor.

"Sarla, I believe Sonal may actually be known to you?"

"Indeed," the businesswoman answered in her crisp British accent. "And apparently she is still wreaking havoc wherever she goes!" She looked at her watch and mentally calculated the time difference.

"If Reena is an early riser, I expect we wouldn't be disturbing her if we contacted her now," Rachna offered.

Her visitor couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You know about Reena as well? How..."

"Only what we have been able to piece together from Sanjay. However it, as well as his mother's let's say, suspicious actions, led us to conclude that something was not right. It was my duty to protect my family. And my protection has since extended to the innocent child we have all come to love. As you've rightly mentioned, Sonal is quite disruptive wherever she is."

Thinking back on the designer's absence from an event that could make or break one's career, Sarla knew then, that it had to be Sonal's doing that such an industrious person would unexpectedly withdraw and risk her professional reputation.

"I truly have no objection if you wish to telephone the UK, Sarla. In fact I would be most upset if you chose not to."

...

Vihaan shook his head, refusing to take the jewelry case from his Bhabhi.

"Nay, I will not return this back to Maa, so don't give it to me."

"Please Vihaan, I can't keep it now. Something like this should stay in the family, you have to return it."

"No, Naomi, and that's my final answer. Stop acting like a drama queen and pack it away."

"I can't keep this here; it's bad enough that I've had it in my carryon all of this time. At least you can hold it for safe keeping for me."

"Aacha, and then what, you will conveniently forget to take it back from me when you slither home," Vihaan challenged.

Naomi looked away. He had seen right through her intentions. She looked up hopefully when Reena unexpectedly entered her hospital room. She smiled.

"Good Morning Reena, I was wondering if you could help me."  She opened the case and turned it to face the doctor. "I need to put this into safekeeping, and Vihaan can't help me."

The physician stopped in her tracks, her mouth dropping open. "My God this is absolutely exquisite. Please don't tell me you have had this in your unsecured luggage here in the hospital. Naturally I would hope that it wouldn't be an issue, but do you realize how tempting something like this would be to..to anyone?" She reached her and snapped the case closed. "I'll place it in my own safety deposit box if need be," she offered, "But this isn't spending one more night here, that's for sure!"

She was about to take it from Naomi's hand when Vihaan's hand covered hers.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he said as he removed her hand and took the case. He looked at his Bhabhi sternly. "You're right about one thing; it should stay in the family. But don't you dare think not to collect it back from me Bhabhi." He sighed. " Since I have to go and secure it before I got the office, I'll have to leave now Bhabhi.  Daadi will be by a little later. Take care, thik hai?"

 

Naomi nodded and watched him leave before turning to her new visitor.

 

"I'm really sorry about that, but I suspected that it would convince him to do what he should have agreed to in the first place."

"Yes, well I guess I shouldn't expect to be high on his list of favorites... but it's okay. Anyway, how are you this morning?"

"Ready to fly the coop, but a little scared since that means facing reality to be honest. How about yourself? You know I really didn't expect to see you this early."

"I couldn't sleep, so I'm ashamed to say that I used insider information and discovered that you were awake, and well here I am; well before visiting hours. Come to think of it how did Vihaan manage to see you well before time?"

"Charm: I suspect he turned on the charm and used his good looks to gain entrance."

"Well I guess he can be charming when he isn't scowling at you, "Reena conceded.  "Does he look like his brother," she casually asked, and then wished she hadn't.

 

Immediately Naomi's eyes filled with tears, which then spilled over to soak her cheeks.

"Naomi, I'm sorry," Reena whispered.

The patient shook her head, and then wiped her tears. "It's okay," she answered. "Actually there's no comparison. Vihaan is good-looking for sure, but Rajeev is absolute perfection. At least I thought so, But I guess there's no such thing is there?"

Her face became wet again, and Reena reached over to grab her hand in quiet support. After a bit she offered her ear: under the assumption that telling her story to an impartial party would help to ease her pain.

 Naomi declined. "No, you came to hear about Sanjay, not my issues."

"Well I also intruded on you hours early today, so please tell me. I promise you we can spend the rest of the day on Sanjay," Reena teased.

 

And so she did.

 

"So there you have it," Naomi said when she had reached the end of her tale. "You have before you the personification of everything that could go wrong: that it only takes one time to get caught out; proof that those minute failure rates do actually mean something, and what you thought perfect can turn out to be the complete opposite. That's me in a nutshell...a story that only could happen to silly Naomi," she mourned. "So can we move on to my buddy Sanjay now, he's a much nicer topic I think. We love him so much."

 

Sareena nodded, but she stared at the woman resting in the hospital bed, and wondered how she couldn't see the gaping holes in her own story. But deciding she had troubled her enough she agreed. "Yes please, tell me everything you can about Sanjay the good and the bad. Please."

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2016-05-27 12:05:14