RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 10

Chapter #8 - The Launch, part I

Rachna happily accepted the holy offering from her mother. Today was the day, and she could barely contain her excitement. As she looked around at her family gathered for the puja, she never felt more blessed. To have such a support system in general was great, but especially today, as she began this new venture it was nothing short of wonderful. Turning in the direction of the shrieking laughter, she smiled to see her father with Aryia.

"Mummy she's not going to be too much of a bother for you is she?"

"Beta, with everyone here to dote on her; we will probably end up bothering her, than her us. Don't worry, she will be fine, just concentrate on what you need to do."

"Thank you Mummy, I love you. I can't wait to see you all later today. I really hope that everything goes well."

"I know it will, Rachna."

"Come on Naomi, confession time, spill the beans already," whispered Gunjan.

"There's nothing to confess, Gunjan, absolutely nothing." Naomi saw Rachna approaching and pleaded with her eyes for help.

"Gunjan stop antagonizing my production coordinator, I need her in top form today."

"She's not playing fair Rachna , I've only ask two questions and can't get even one straight answer out of her. Actually I've never known her to be so secretive." She glanced over Naomi's shoulder to the men gathered across the room and then back to her, "Naomi, whatever have you been up to?" she teased. Gunjan's eyes lit up, when finally the other young woman sighed and leaned closer.

"Actually, Gunjan, I punched someone who talked too much, and hurt my hand in the process if you really must know."

Rachna laughed and hooked her arm in Naomi's and began walking away, "There's your one answer, Gunjan, we will see you later thik hai?"
"No fair, Naomi , that was the boring question!"

They stopped briefly so Rachna could let KT know that they were on their way, and would see him later in the day at the event. "We both have so much to do, so we are going now so we will stay ahead of schedule. We will see everyone later."

Naomi pointedly kept quiet, avoiding conversation with the men, acknowledging them only to say goodbye. Her eyes widened when Rajeev winked at her, and she hurried after her friend to get away.

Kabir looked at him wryly, "You know you have her completely tied in knots don't you? I hope she can do her work today, if not you won't hear the end of it."

"I'm sure she will be fine, Kabir."

"Hmm, obviously I've been asking the right questions, but to the wrong people. KT, Rajeev Sir, what has been going on?"

"Hello Gunjan."

They were leaving when Rachna realized there was one last thing they had to do. Locating Daadi, they backtracked to her.

'Daadi, before we forget, we are going to take Naomi's change of clothes with us when we go to the venue, but she's going to need your help getting ready. Obviously I won't be able to and I don't trust her to follow through. Left to her own devices she will probably keep working."

Daadi smiled and placed her hand on Naomi's head, "That will not do at all. It's time for our Pari to exit that shell she has been hiding in, and come out and play. Beta, you never know when your prince will make an appearance, so don't let me have to come looking for you."

"I promise you won't have to, Daadi."

She hugged both young women and bid them goodbye, smiling at the excitement exuding from Rachna and the quiet support her friend offered.

She turned to Rachna's mother as she approached carrying Aryia, "Shail aside from the obvious, that semester that Rachna spent in the UK was the best thing ever to happen. Those two were destined to be friends; they are just so good for each other."

"You're right Mausi Ji, it seems that Naomi became a part of our family so fast, that we can't imagine when she hasn't been there." She paused before continuing, "I'm so pleased that she seems happier now."

The venue was filling rapidly, not that Rachna would have been aware. Kabir came backstage and stood there, content to observe her unnoticed. As expected she had everything well in hand, and he could not feel more proud of his Rachna than right now. He supposed he would soon be reassessing his opinion as the night progressed, but right in this moment he could not help but admire her progression on a professional level. It was all he could think of until she turned and caught sight of him. And then the only thought he had was how much he loved her.

"I'm so glad that you managed to get back here to see me. Is everyone here now? And Aryia, do you know if she managed to rest today, I've been worried that this evening would just have be too taxing on her. Maybe we should have arranged a sitter, don't you think KT?"

Kabir held her by the shoulders and smiled down at her. "Everything is under control, Rachna. Aryia is fine and in more than capable hands. There's no need to worry about us. How are you, doing?"

"Actually KT, I'm okay, obviously I've been busy, but I'm happy with everything. It should be a good evening."

"Okay, I will leave you to it your work. I just wanted wish you good luck; we will see you afterwards. By the way Mrs. Tripathi, you look absolutely beautiful this evening."

"Thank you, but honestly how could I not, in this beautiful design."

"True, but I wasn't referring to the dress."

He couldn't help but smile when his wife mouthed her love to him and then blew him a kiss before turning away.

"Naomi, this little black cat ensemble you have going for you is totally adorable; all that's missing are the ears and a tail."

"Drat I was going for ninja, not a harmless kitty, Mohit Sir, speaking of her black leggings , matching long sleeve blouse and her black glitter ballet flats. Actually I was going for comfort and the ability to blend in with the surroundings that's all," she said indicating the dimly lit area where she would be working from.

"Well it seems to be working for the most part, except to the most observant. And those who do notice you are more than likely noticing for other reasons, than you being intrusive."

Intuitively, Naomi was well aware of who Mohit Sir was referring to. She swore she could practically feel his stare since he had arrived in the hall. Her problem was her confusion whether she wanted him to stop or not. She sighed,

"Well if someone is that desperate for entertainment, I am happy to oblige. Anyway, are you all set, you're happy with all the arrangements, Mohit Sir?" She acknowledged his nod , even as the voice came over the headset she wore connecting her to the technical staff.

"Right got you; heading your way in a second."

"I'm sorry Sir , I have a little crises to avert. I will touch base with you after okay?"

Rifling through her equipment, she located what she needed and hurried across to the opposite end of the venue.

"Naomi, I don't know what happened, I was just running through the final test, and realized that my camera's internal light meter had failed."

"No worries, I'm sure everything's calibrated correctly, but let's just check." Using the hand-held meter, she reconfirmed what she already knew to be and smiled at the other videographer. "Like I said, everything checks out. You should be fine. It should be almost as easy as just hitting record; you've got a direct line of sight to the stage, and...Good grief, there's always some idiot who feels the need be where they shouldn't be. I'll just go and herd him out of the way, and you will be all set. Get me on the headset if you need anything else."

So much for blending in with the surroundings she thought as she headed towards the lit catwalk.'

"Accha, you do realize the right direction that you should be watching. You will be as good enough to at least face that way when Rachna presents her collection won't you?"

Not taking his eyes off the young woman walking with purpose toward the front, Rajeev answered, "But I'm free until then, right Kabir?"

He grinned in response to Kabir's laugh, and continued to watch Naomi doing her thing. He stirred when the man she approached turned abruptly to her in apparent displeasure.

"Don't worry you know she can handle her herself...see putty in her hands."

They watched as the man's expression softened and he became more animated. He pointed to the catwalk, and then back to her, while Naomi shook her head. He raised his camera obviously requesting a photo, much to her amusement. Finally she agreed and holding up the device she carried, allowed a couple of shots. She then attained her goal in getting the man to move, which had evidently been problem.

"If I'm not mistaken, he is a magazine photographer that she's worked with, so I'm guessing that helped."

"Kabir exactly how much modelling has she done? I'm starting to think I should know more about her than I actually do."

"Not necessarily, but ask your college hockey team, I'm pretty sure at least a couple would be familiar with her."

They watched as she talked into the headset, sent a thumb's up back to the person, and then headed back towards where she had been stationed. Since the quickest route would take her past Rachna's family she approached with a smile and acknowledged them. She laughed when the sight of her Pari started Aryia bouncing in her father's lap and waving in her baby style. Naomi paused slightly to wave back in return, before briefly making eye contact with Rajeev. And right there and then she decided she had, had enough of him keeping her off balance continuously. She kept walking, certain that he would still be looking in her direction, and then suddenly looked back. He was, and the shocked expression that came to his face was priceless, when she winked at him before turning and walking towards her destination. If she was not mistaken KT had erupted in laughter beside him, proving it had been a telling blow.

Naomi had settled at her own camera, when she got the indication that they were about to begin in five minutes, over the headset. Completing a final confirmation of her team's readiness; she went to work.

The delicate musical notes began as lights dimmed.

Backstage, as the intro of the music began, Rachana opened her eyes from her silent prayer and took a cleansing breath. Assured that all was in order she stepped onto the stage.

In a departure from most collections, she had decided to greet her guests in advance of the showing. The poised figure she presented belied her young age, as she walked smiling, palms together.

"Honoured Guests, Family, and Friends, Namaste"

Encompassing the entire audience in her smile, she scanned the venue, before continuing,

"It is with extreme joy that I welcome all of you to the launch of the Banaras Beauty Bridal Line. This evening you will have the opportunity to view a collection created to allow today's bride to present a truly elevated version of themselves; something that every bride deserves on one of the most important days of her life. Through the fusion of tradition and modern and influences you will see this evening, one will witness how the modern bride can stay true to herself yet still uphold the reverence of our Indian heritage. Ladies and Gentlemen, for you pleasure, allow me to present the inaugural collection of Banaras Beauty!"

She executed a pivot worthy of any supermodel, just as the bass of the upbeat soundtrack kicked in. Even the flow of her ivory dress seemed to embody her confidence as she strutted away from the audience. Right on clockwork, she hit the middle of the catwalk, as the first couple of models began their parade of the runway.

"This is so in the bag,"Rachna thought as she exited the stage.