RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 21

Chapter #20

With a sense of direction, and her hands laden with far more than she had left with that morning, Rachna entered the hotel and was immediately met with the offer to relieve her of her burden. Smiling her thanks, she followed the bell staff into the elevator, as her thoughts turned to her husband. Truly he had been too indulgent, but with her mind racing with ideas that she was eager to begin working on, she was grateful to have the space waiting for her in the suite. On opening the door she caught the faint but distinctive scent of roses .Her eyes immediately went to the coffee table where a beautiful arrangement stood. She smiled and shook her head. Thanking the bellman for his assistance, she closed the door behind him, and hastened back to admire this thoughtful gift that could only have come from her husband. The bouquet of two dozen vibrant red roses stood in the simple yet elegant mercury silver vase. The card was affixed near to the centre rose, distinct in that it was in full bloom and was the only one that had been accentuated with a single diamante flower pin. Excitedly she removed the card.

My Shining Star, my beloved wife, congratulations as you work to adorn your first bride in Banaras Beauty, with all my love and admiration, KT.

She affixed the card back to its holder and lowered her face to inhale the delectable scent of the beautiful roses. Only when she raised her head and looked ahead into the bedroom did she catch sight of the second arrangement that had been placed on the nightstand, beside Aryia's photograph. Swiftly, she went to the bedroom, too full for words at the love that was being conveyed to her.

More whimsical than the first arrangement, this display of pale pink roses interspersed with baby's breath filled a glass vase tied with an ornate pink bow. Considering its placement, it was no surprise when Rachna read the card.

I love you and miss you Mummy, but I am being a good girl for Papa so work hard and don't worry, Love Aryia.

She considered the time, and decided that for productivity's sake, she would need to work first before she telephoned home. She was certain that if she called now, that on hearing KT's voice, any thought of designing would dissipate. Once they began talking she wouldn't want to work at all as she realized only now how much she was truly missing him. Hopefully, Rachna thought, by the time she did call she would be in more control than she felt at this moment, and she wouldn't immediately burst into tears as soon as he spoke. Resolutely she set to her task, however to alleviate any worry, she picked up her mobile and sent him a message.

Back now, working for a while. Will call at our usual time, can't wait to hear your voice.

Finally all of the constant checking of his mobile bore fruit when her message came.

Kabir sighed loudly and then smiled on reading it. Collectively, everyone at the dinner table grinned at his unmistakable relief at hearing from Rachna. To his side, Daadi patted him on the arm.

"Now will you stop worrying and eat, Nanhe?"

On the other side of the table feeding Aryia who sat in her highchair, Naomi shook her head in mock disgust. "Papa has become such a worrywart hasn't he Aryia, losing his appetite because mummy isn't here. Not like you baby, not a care in the world, because we know Mummy is a big girl right, Sweetie? And we are all done. All gone Aryia, yay!" Naomi clapped in celebration for the toddler and was rewarded when Aryia returned the favor.

"All gone... All gone, yay!"

She laughed as she cleaned her god-daughter's face and hands and removed her bib before getting up. "Alright, I will go up and put the nursery back to rights while little miss digests her dinner, and then be back to get her settled for the evening."

The trio of adults watched as Naomi walked away.

Daadi who had moved around so that she could tend to Aryia immediately thought of the young woman who had just left and spoke aloud to no one in particular, "She is a godsend isn't she?"

"Yes Daadi, she certainly is."

"Nanhe, I am so glad that she spoke up earlier today when I lost my temper with Sonal. In hindsight I'm sure that little Sanjay was about to get very upset."

"I guess it pays to have a fairy in residence, Daadi."

Nodding, Daadi agreed. She turned away from her grandson to speak directly to Rajeev. "Beta, have you settled your differences with her yet? Don't think that because we haven't spoken, that you have been released from my expectations of you as it pertains to my Naomi."

"Let's just say it's a work in progress Daadi; she's a bit unpredictable."

"Ah well that just makes her all the more interesting doesn't it?"

9:27 PM

Rachna checked the time and decided that it would be best to wrap up now. She had made good progress on the design and expected that she would have a presentable draft to show to Shryia and her parents went they met mid-day tomorrow. As she packed her supplies away she thought how long it had been since she and KT had found themselves in this situation; to say that she was giddy with excitement at the prospect of their 10:00PM call, would be a definite understatement. She allowed herself enough time to get ready for bed , but knew she would still have to be quick about it in order to be ready to make her call.

9:45 PM

Kabir finally concluded that looking at his watch over and over was not helping the time go by any faster. He bent down to kiss Aryia and then switched off the overhead light and left the nursery. As he headed back towards their bedroom, he wondered if, before they were married, Rachna had felt this tortured waiting for time to pass until he would call. He looked down at his mobile realizing that he barely had enough battery charge. Fifteen minutes of charge would at least allow him to receive her call, and he would keep the phone connected if need be, but nothing could prevent him from missing her call.

9:50 PM

Ugh, she hated not having enough time to wash her hair but it would have taken far too long to handle, so she would just have to do it tomorrow. She combed through the long length and quickly braided it, smiling to herself, she had mere minutes to get into her night clothes, but she would make the appointed time.

9:52 PM

Dammit, where had he last seen his charger? Rachna would kill him if they were not speaking at ten; at the very least she would be pretty disappointed. Thus far he had been to their bedroom as well as the studio, and still he couldn't locate his charger; of all days for this to happen.

9:58 PM

She would blame the hotel clock if need be, but she didn't care, all she wanted to do was speak to her husband. She anxiously listened as the phone rang, and smiled when it connected...and went directly to his voicemail.

10:00:00 PM

"Rachna hon, you dialed the wrong number."

"Naomi, where's KT?"

"I expect he's wondering why his wife isn't calling him."

"No, I already did and it went to voicemail."

"That's cheating Ra, it's just went ten."

"Naomi, please just find him."

"Okay on my way."

Biting her lip, Rachna watched as the seconds ticked by. She heard some mumbling in the background and fought the temptation to scream through the phone at her friend to hurry up.

"Naomi, please tell me you have a phone charger."

"I do, but here's someone better, KT ," she said as he handed him her mobile.

10:00:40

"Rachna?"

"Oh KT thank God. What happened?"

"My battery was dying and I can't find my charger, but why did you call Naomi's phone?"

"I cheated and called early, and realized that there was a problem; this was a call for help if you must know."

"Thik hai, so now that we have met our ten o'clock deadline, how about I just call your hotel room from the house phone?"

She laughed. "That sounds so much more sensible, I'll be waiting. Can you give the phone back to Naomi now?"

Naomi bid KT good night and stood in the hall as she turned her attention to her friend on the other end.. "Hey Ra, no she was a good girl, she ate all her dinner and was no trouble at all. Email...Sure, no problem , I can act as your assistant for the next few days. If any come through that are urgent, I will send you a message, okay? Right.. I will talk to later Goodbye."

"You will be one exhausted fairy by the end of the week, if you keep on taking on more and more, Naomi."

She was turning to re-enter her bedroom when she had heard Rajeev speak. Still a bit miffed that he hadn't disclosed what he and Stef had talked about, she didn't turn to face him when she answered. "It's no problem; I'll just be checking a few emails, so you needn't worry."

"I'm not I know that you are more than capable. It's just making me feel guilty for needing to ask you for help this weekend."

She was intrigued, so she turned to face him. "What sort of help do you need?"

"Let's see how your week goes first, thik hai?"

She nodded. "Good night Rajeev."

"Good night, Fairy."

"Hello again, Beautiful."

"KT, I really don't recall our telephone calls ever being so complicated; we're obviously out of practice."

His husky laugh sent chills down her spine. "I guess I've been so spoilt in having my love by my side these past years that I never thought to keep up my phone skills. How are you, Rachna? Did you have a good day?"

"Oh KT, it was wonderful. Not only did I have a great consultation with my client, who is absolute gem by the way, but I've been convinced yet again that I have the very best of husbands. Not only has he correctly anticipate my needs before I did, but he has me totally intoxicated by the scent of the beautiful flowers he sent me. And he's done all of this when he had so much going on his own life. How are you my love; please tell me that all went well with you today."

Kabir hesitated briefly, before deciding that he would not hold anything back from her, no matter how trivial. "The visit went well. Surprisingly Sanjay is a very personable little boy, especially considering who his mother is. Both Daadi and Naomi were pleasantly surprised at this. Rachna, the afternoon truly wasn't as difficult as I had anticipated, but then again I did follow your advice and kept the interaction confined to the nursery. Aryia was herself, and enjoyed the extended playtime, which is basically what I made the visit. I think that it was the best way to go. Sanjay left definitely looking forward to his next visit."

"And Sonal, was there any issue with her?"

"I can't lie Rachna; I can barely tolerate the mere sight of that woman. It seems she is determined not to give up and actually made a less than subtle attempt to meet Aryia today."

"How is my baby, did she have a good day too, aside from her playdate?"

"Rachna, did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, KT, and thank you for telling me. You could have just as easily not, so I really do appreciate you letting me know. But I trust you KT; I have no doubt that you will protect our baby from that woman. So she did have a good day right, Aryia I mean, not Sonal obviously."

Kabir chuckled. "She did Rachna. I had just checked on her before our telephone fiasco, and she was sleeping contently."

"So all is well with my two loves; I'm so glad for that." She looked around the room and sighed. "KT this hotel is really lovely , you did a wonderful job selecting it. When things settle down, I think we should come and stay here for a little while; it would be such a lovely getaway."

"I promise we will soon."

Naomi set the Out of Office Reply for the website and then double checked to ensure that the messages that had come in would receive the auto-reply. Thankfully all of them seemed to be general enquiries and nothing was too pressing. For reference on the private email that she would send Rachna later, she made note of the senders. There had been four new emails since Rachna had left: three individuals and one company, Patel Industries. She did a quick check to confirm the website traffic data, and then checked her watch. Realizing that Aryia would soon be up and ready for her breakfast, she exited the website and headed up to the nursery to check on her young charge.

Mid-morning, Sonal left the office building and got behind the wheel of her company car. She studied her reflection in the mirror and smiled; perfection as always. Putting her sunglasses on, she turned the ignition and put the car into gear. Pulling out of the office parking-lot, her mind was fixed on her current situation. If she had to be employed anywhere, she had certainly lucked out with Patel Industries, and even more so with the gullible fool of a boss she had. It was amazing the sort of benefits being his P.A. had brought; this car being one. She knew she was the talk of the staff due to this perk; certainly none of her predecessors had ever had one. But more importantly was her total time flexibility and being privy to all matter of information. How fortuitous it had been that she had seen that reply from Banaras Beauty, that he had received earlier in the day, in Mr. Patel's email. It had just confirmed that there was no better time to start securing the future she deserved than right now.