Take a hectic work schedule, an external audit, and a temperamental laptop and you have the perfect recipe for not being able to properly update your FF for a couple of weeks. Hopefully with all of that behind me, I can get back to what I enjoy. Hopefully the chapter is worth the wait.
Kelly
Chapter 2:
"Tanya Singh"
Rachna raised her head when the name was called and watched as the young woman who sat opposite her stood and followed the assistant who had come to collect her. It was a scenario that had repeated itself for some time now, until the room had emptied of everyone save one young man and herself. He was no college student, of this Rachna was certain, therefore he had to have other business here at KT Creations. Still though, there was an air of nervousness about him, so if she had to hazard a guess, Rachna would suppose that his meeting was of incredible importance to him. She smiled a little in commiseration; she could definitely relate to this sentiment. He had been here longer than she had, arriving extra early it appeared - as had she. They had been two oddities amongst the group of adolescents vying for one of the three coveted internships.
"I guess now that the children are done, it will be our turn next."
"Excuse me,"Rachna responded to the unexpected conversation starter.
The well-dressed man moved over one seat closer to Rachna, the move a bit forward for the setting. Strangely though, she wasn't put off by his uninhibited actions. In fact there was something comfortingly familiar about him.
"That's not to say that you look old in any way; actually I think..." The young man paused in a clear attempt to remove the foot he was in danger of swallowing. He then folded hands. "Namaste, I'm Kunal Tiwari, and soon to be Digital Marketing Director of KT Creations - I hope anyway. And you are..."
Rachna broke out in a full face grin. "You're joking right...Kunal Tiwari? Well I would say that your name alone gives you an automatic leg up on any competition... your initials alone should warrant you the position, provided that is, there isn't anyone better for the job," she added jokingly insinuating that she could be up for the same post.
Kunal returned the strikingly beautiful woman's smile, and shook his head. "No definitely not; I mean I've already determined, that you are not my competition and even though you have all of the attributes, you don't have the vapid air of a fashion model. If I had to guess, you are definitely Designer material...uh no pun intended."
"Aacha?"
Kunal flashed a smile, one that did very odd things to Rachna's stomach, and she knew she was blushing. Immediately she began her wondering why she would be reacting to a complete stranger this way.
But before she could think on it any further, they were interrupted by the same assistant, who this time called for Rachna. Resisting the temptation to look at her watch, Rachna stood. She had found Kunal here, so logically shouldn't he have been summoned first? Besides, it was too early for her to be called, as she was certain that the last college student hadn't passed the waiting room on her exit. She smiled one last time at her fellow hopeful, as she gathered her things. "Well good luck to you Kunal, I hope everything works out for you."
"Likewise...we will have a celebratory coffee in the breakroom on our first day should we both successful," Kunal answered cheekily.
Rachna was taken in a direction opposite to the route that the other applicants had been escorted, which was confusing in itself, and completely wiped any remnant of the smile she had worn after her interaction with the affable young man she had encountered. She followed, determined not to allow the unexpected diversion to unnerve her, but couldn't be certain that she would be successful.
"Ms. Garg..."
"Nahi, please call me Rachna; I insist."
The young woman beamed. "Thik hai, Rachna. I'm Pratima: Mr. Tripathi's personal assistant. KT has decided to approach your interview slightly differently than the younger applicants -a somewhat more practical approach , due to your obvious seniority."
Rachna lips thinned. She supposed that would be the logical conclusion - that by virtue of the age difference; that her experience would surpass that of the college students, but how the designer had gleaned this from her hastily put together application, she had no clue. She exhaled forcibly; this unexpected turn of events had her panicking for sure. She now had no idea what to expect, and hoped that she hadn't got herself in over her head. Silently following the assistant down the corridor, she gave herself a pep talk - she could do this - she had to. When finally Pratima opened a door to a small studio Rachna took in the vast array of textiles in the room. Anything she could conceptualize was there, and then some: there were even some completed outfits availablere as well. In the middle of the room there were four mannequins, ready to be dressed.
Rachna affected a smile as she turned her attention back to the assistant, who had begun speaking.
"KT should be just about finished with the last college student. After that he just has one additional meeting, and then afterwards it will be your turn. However he has asked me to assure you that this isn't a timed exercise, and that you should get as much as you can finish; basically just work at your own pace."
"Should there be a theme to my work," Rachna asked.
"Not at all - follow whatever inspires you."
"Thik hai. Thank you."
"Good luck, Rachna," Pratima called out as she made to exit the room.
**************
After shaking Kunal's hand at the doorway; once more welcoming the young man to the company, Kabir shut his office door, adjusted his jacket and then walked back behind his desk to take a seat. As he leaned back in his chair, he contemplated how needed the IT savvy Marketing graduate was at this juncture. Kabir was certain that under normal circumstances that Rachna would be elated with Kunal's selection, and he breathed a sigh of relief, for this pressing situation to be put to rest. Now he could focus on far more important matters. He took a deep breath and exhaled noisily. If he was truthful he would concede that he was nervous as hell, now all that was left was the meeting with his wife. He looked down at himself; just the prospect of doing so had his hands trembling. It was no wonder, after everything that had happened. The time to bear the responsibility of reconciling his family was at hand. It felt both a heavy weight on his shoulders, and yet strangely exhilarating at the same time
He had been at his wit's end after Pratima's fruitless telephone call to Rachna two days prior. Somehow in the space of submitting her application, and receiving his assistant's callback, his wife had had a change of heart, and had declined the interview that would finally bring them face to face. Kabir had been devastated on hearing the news, but somehow had managed a brave face and had taken the opportunity of his assistant's presence, to finally review the remaining portfolios with Pratima, and then send her back to the office to make the telephone calls to the successful college students. He never would have imagined that twenty four hours later the pendulum would swing back in his direction and Rachna would call the office to see if the offer was still standing. Pratima had immediately come to him to inform him, and to advise that she had rescheduled his afternoon appointments for another time.
It had been hell keeping his focus during the interviews he conducted, but he had expected this to be so. Consequently he had asked Pratima to sit in on all of them to take notes; all but the last one when she followed his predeclared instructions of showing Rachna to an empty design studio and giving her the task that he hoped would allay some of his wife's nervousness. He would conduct Rachna's interview there: in a space where he hoped his wife would find some familiarity; an environment that she was accustomed to. Anything it took to make her comfortable, he would do, never once considering his own state. The irony of his own tension, was not lost on him as he stood now, about to go to her.
*********
Her ability to focus on the task at hand had always been a draw for Kabir. Today it was no different, as so completely involved in her work, Rachna never even turned when he entered the studio quietly. It gave Kabir the opportunity to quietly observe her in the first instance, and then give a cursory glance to the work she had done. Her stylings of the three mannequins she had already completed were as he expected: perfection. Talent such as Rachna's was not easily forgotten, and even when dealt the perilous injuries his wife had received, she had maintained her stellar aptitude for design. Physically however: well this was another story. Last night, on his daily telephone call with Gunjan and Mayank, Kabir had been forewarned about the haircut that Rachna had surprised the entire family with. Even had he not, this would not been the most shocking aspect of his wife's appearance. She had changed so much since they were last together - never mind that she had been at the zenith of her pregnancy at the time. She was far thinner today than she would have been had she not suffered the devastating injuries from the car accident that had almost cost him the two most important women in his life as well as the child, whose arrival, everyone was anxiously awaiting. The outfit she wore today only emphasized the changes that had been wrought. The high-waisted belted pencil skirt and sexier than normal silk blouse Rachna wore was the height of fashion, and he would be crazy not to acknowledge how attractive she appeared, but for now Kabir was overwhelmed with what lay beneath. The scarring he knew she had suffered from their son's emergency delivery and the extensive surgery that followed to repair the damage to her body had to have affected her. While she may not have remembered their child at all after she had finally come out of the induced coma, Kabir knew that Rachna had been informed of the emergency hysterectomy, and knew that this had devastated her. Yet today there was no sign of this, and if his lovely wife could somehow get past this, then he had to do the same. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, willing himself to get control of himself and commence the interview he had come to conduct.
********
He was incredibly odd, and nothing, not even how insanely handsome he was would excuse this.
No, Rachna thought, she hadn't been aware initially when Kabir Tripathi had come, but as time had gone by the sensation that she wasn't alone had overwhelmed her, and Rachna had stealthily peered around to see the designer who was the man behind the company there watching her. She wondered what was going through his mind as he kept what felt almost like a silent vigil over her. More to the point, Rachna wondered why his intense scrutiny did not have her more nervous than one would expect. Oh well, she supposed there had to be a method behind his strange behavior.
"Would I be correct in assuming that the real test here is to recognize that none of the dupattas available coordinate with the only bridal lehenga here, KT Sir?"
Kabir blinked in surprise when she spoke up. "Aacha?"
"Haan, but since letting my bride down is not an option; obviously I will have to improvise."
Kabir walked over and stared at the dressed mannequin. "Perhaps the actual lesson is to recognize the futility of a situation, and to move on ..."
"And that thought process is probably why KT Creations aren't leaders in the bridal industry..."
Kabir turned and looked directly at her, dumbfounded. That sassy comment was quintessential Rachna. If that was not the old Rachna coming through, then he knew nothing. His eyes narrowed as he speculated what would come next.
Oh God, Rachna thought as she swallowed hard. Regretting the words as soon as they left her mouth; she had no clue what had possessed her. Surely she had just scuppered any chance of getting any sort of position here. This time the designer's penetrating gaze had her cheeks warming. "I- I apologize..."
KT held up on hand, dismissing her attempt. " Nahi, do not...I would like to hear your opinions on that subject, but before that, Ms. Garg, show me how you will salvage this poor unfortunate bride's shaadi after this design faux pas."
He was giving her another chance.
She sent him a small smile of thanks for overlooking her outspokenness and then purveyed everything in the room for a minute. Amongst the variety of fabrics she caught sight of something that might just do the trick, and then she smiled even brighter and got down to work.
**********
A lack of innovation was never Rachna's problem, and today was no different. Disassembling one dupatta and using it as trim for another, she had ingeniously come up with an attractive veil that make any bride happy. She then tool extra care in the selection of the accessories, ending up with a finished look that Kabir expected of her. He nodded at her acknowledging her skill, before asking her to take a seat so that they could begin her actual interview.
"You were not exactly the sort of applicant that we expected to receive when we put that offer out for interns this year," Kabir began.
"Nor was I looking to apply for such; in truth up until two weeks ago, a job was the farthest thing on my mind," Rachna replied.
"And now..."
Staring directly into the designer's eyes, Rachna spoke from the heart. " I feel like something has awoken in me; that I cannot not design. It's my calling; my destiny. And KT Sir, should I not be successful with your company, I full intend to investigate and apply for a position with another design house... and eventually I expect to be successful."
She would too, thought KT, but there was no way in hell that he would allow that. Even if there wasn't the matter of her being his wife, Kabir could just imagine if word got out that Rachna Tripathi of Banaras Beauty was in such a vulnerable state. For certain may an unscrupulous fashion house would prey on her condition for their benefit. Nahi, it would be best that he settle this soon.
"And yet you rejected the opportunity to interview with us initially?"
"A mistake on my part; I thought I would be costing a worthy student their own chance. But I got a pep talk... well actually a lecture on how deserving I was from my client, and...well obviously you know."
"Your client..."
"I designed a gown for a friend. She was the one who actually showed me the flier for the internship."
Rachna paused when the designers lips turned upwards just a little. He then leafed through the her application documentation.
"There was no indication of a new design in your portfolio."
"Well no, it was a private matter, between my friend and I."
"I would really like to view it, if you don't mind." He got up and asked her to follow him back to the dummies she had outfitted. "However for now, why don't we discuss the stylings you have created, and then we speak on any concerns or questions you may have, thik hai?"
**********
The interview seemed to go on forever, and in the end she wasn't offered an internship, which in a way Rachna was glad for it. She had really experienced misgivings about possibly taking a spot and ruining the dream of an eager student, hoping to begin the career of their dreams.
Now she looked around the dinner table at the combination of forlorn and frankly shocked expressions of her family who had waited all day to hear her story, and obviously hadn't anticipated such an ending.
"S-so it was all a waste of time," Mayank stuttered, confused over his brother-in-law's decision.
None of those at the table could understand, and they had no idea what to say to Rachna.
"Thik hai beti," her father began, finally breaking the silence that had fallen. "I don't understand why you would have been rejected, but if you really wish to work, perhaps there are other..."
Rachna smiled. "Nahi Papa, an internship wasn't on the cards for me, but perhaps tomorrow a position - a special project position will be available- provided KT Sir likes my design. By the time we concluded the interview KT Sir had determined that my experience warranted something else; a more senior post." She began eating, her enthusiasm changing the atmosphere immediately. She was already looking forward to tomorrow, which would be part two of her interview process.
***********
"This is some mode of transportation, Rajeev," Kabir said of the double pram, his friend maneuvered, now that their wives had moved to the studio's adjacent dressing room.
"An absolute necessity as you can tell." Rajeev held his hand out to the designer, who took it to shake it.
Kabir leaned over to the peer at the two sleeping babies. "They are beautiful. I'm sorry that I haven't had the chance..."
"No explanation or excuse is needed Kabir; we completely understand. You have been dealing with something unimaginable, so think nothing of it."
Kabir shook his head. "I don't even know if they have her eyes; and neither seems to be in a co-operative mood to let their wayward Uncle Kabir find out," he said.
"Haan; they do, as bright and as beautiful their mother's. I am holding out to see if any curls come in the next few months, but they are still perfect," the proud father stated. "I understand that little Piyush is thriving in his mother's care as well."
Kabir nodded, "Ji, although I am not seeing him or Aryia enough for my liking, they are both doing well. Hopefully this will be the first step to bringing us all together - all of us."
"Naomi' has let me know that Daadi will be coming to see us in a few days," the hockey coach stated.
Kabir nodded; his grandmother's instance to visit the twins she considered her adopted granddaughters had been made known in no uncertain terms, now that her mobility had increased.
Just then the studio door opened, and Kabir excused himself to go and speak to the photographer he had asked to assist today.
***********
Zipping up the dress which fit Naomi like a glove, Rachna spoke, "Thank you for doing this, especially on such short notice. I can't imagine it was easy to coordinate, Naomi."
"It's okay Rachna. The timing was actually good, since Rajeev had a free afternoon today."
"You aren't nervous are you? I promise that it won't take long. And he won't be judging you, just the design itself, so if he says anything that seem off..."
"Is he really as bad as that, Rachna? Are you certain you even want to work for him?"
"Nahi," Rachna protested. "I mean nahi, he's not as horrible...well actually, I do find him a bit... gruff, but there's something about him... and he definitely is really good at..."
Naomi interrupted her friend. "Rachna it's okay. And if anything I think I'm more nervous about Rajeev seeing me in the dress, than any scary designer... "
"That makes no sense. You look beautiful in this, but really, if it's really an issue we could always dress one of the mannequins..."
Naomi shook her head laughing, "I'm just being silly. Just relax and go, and give your presentation, and I will try to make the best entrance I can."
**************
Rachna approached the mood board and prepared to flip the blank sheet that had covered her design. Nervously she cleared her throat, and then spoke to the audience of three comprised of Kabir, Rajeev and the photographer KT Sir had brought in. She explained how her client being a new parent was looking for a design that would allow her to reclaim her status as a wife and not just a mother. Stealing a look at her hockey coach when she spoke these words, she was provided nothing more than the slight arching of one of his eyebrows as a reaction to her disclosing his wife's innermost feelings. She continued on, explaining the process undertaken that allowed her to discern her client's tastes and then conceptualize a design that met the mark.
All the while, Kabir Sir had stood and listened intently to her, not even turning away from her when she called for Naomi to enter. Unable to withstand such intense scrutiny any longer, Rachna turned her attention to her friend's entrance, thankful when the designer did the same
Either she had done this before or she should seriously consider it, Rachna thought as Naomi strutted confidently into the room with the poise of a complete professional. Promenading to the centre of the studio, she held the skirt overlay out from the fitted sheath halter dress showing it in its best light. She reached her target and stopped for a moment before she then slowly pivoted, allowing KT Sir the opportunity to view the gown from all angles.
Taking a deep breath, Rachna watched as KT Sir approached to inspect her work. Even with her memories locked and hidden away, she could not help but realize that this surely had to be one of the most important things that ever to happen to her. A new beginning for her had surely been set in motion.
[NOCOPY]
Rihana, yearning to break free from the predetermined fate of being a tawaif's ...
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