RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 3

Folks, trust me this is not a Rajeev/ Naomi FF Just the groundwork being laid. Next update will be pure RaBir I promise LOL.

Kelly

Chapter #2

"How did you manage that? We've been attempting.."

"Rajeev, I'm sure she needs no introduction, but may I present our Aryia."

Her question thwarted by her husband's interruption, Rachna looked to KT in inquiry, suddenly comprehending when she caught his eye. In her surprise that Naomi had assented to join them for dinner, she had spoken the first thing to enter her head, forgetting that her friend's issues where just that; hers, and not for sharing with all and sundry. She turned back to Rajeev Sir and smiled.

"Yes, this is our little one, our little menace," Rachna said tickling Aryia under her chin, much to the delight of the little girl. "The menace, who pretended to be absolutely tuckered out after such a busy day, but now seems up and raring to go!"

Ignoring for the moment the mystery of the nanny who wasn't, Rajeev turned his attention to the baby, for the second time today. Little Aryia was definitely a product of her parents, favoring both of them, but her eyes were definitely her mother's. She was a beautiful child, and the obvious focal point of a doting family.

"May I?" he asked holding out his hands.

Rachna looked skeptical, "Oh I don't know, she's usually very timid around new people, so please don't be offended...Well!"

Maybe she recognized him, who knew, but Rajeev was quite satisfied when Aryia reached out in response to his outstretched hands. He scooped her from her Papa's hold and brought her up to his shoulder. Once there she proceeded to explore the face of the new person to her environment.

"Watch out if she grabs your hair, the little monster has a grip of death."

"Ah well, I don't think that my hair is as interesting that she will would want to steal it for her own."

Internally chuckling at the disdain he saw on her face, Rajeev looked his fill at the returning Pari, who he had to admit was looking even prettier than she had in her ridiculous pajamas. He didn't recall the last time he had paid attention to colors, but he couldn't but notice that the pale purple, lavender he supposed she was wearing did wonders for her already beautiful eyes. It was more than apparent that she, like her little charge had been reputed to be, was a bit skittish right now; probably still thinking that he would disclose their early encounter. Since keeping her off-kilter had resulted in her agreeing to the dinner invitation she seemed intent on declining; he figured to continue this vein and see what more he could achieve. Still holding Aryia, he walked away from the others, to stand in front of her. Extending his hand in greeting, he smiled, "Hello, I'm Rajeev Agrawal."

"I see you're Rajeev Sir, that figures." She sighed and shook his hand,"Pari."

"Pari...?"

"Just Pari." Releasing his hand she stepped around him to speak to the others. "I'm sorry for making everyone wait so long. Ra, did you need some help?"

"I do actually," Rachna answered, as she linked her arm in her friends drawing her towards the kitchen. Looking over her shoulder she called for the others to take a seat at the table.

Once in the kitchen, she turned to her friend to hug her. "Oh I am so glad that you decided to join us, and you look wonderful."

"Ra, is that your kind way of saying I have been looking a little haggard of late?" she sent a small smile, "Even said nicely, that isn't nice to hear."

"You've just had a rough time of it, and frankly I don't blame you for not feeling up to par of late. I am just so happy that you ..." Rachna stopped when her friend came to hug her. Hugged her and clung to her as if for dear life.

"Thank you Rachna."

"There's no need. And please don't start crying you will mess up your makeup. Were you trying to impress someone by chance?"

"I did it for myself thank you. Even feeling as bad as I am; I have the pride to want to look decent in front of a complete stranger."

"What happened to that passionate Hello Kitty spiel?"
"Come on Ra, even I know that only Ariya was pulling that look off!" She wiped her face, "No raccoon eyes, right? Okay let's serve dinner."

"Wait, so what do you think of my Rajeev Sir?"

"I don't know him."

"Am I wrong then, that somehow he convinced you to join us for dinner?"

"Actually, Ra in the park earlier..."

They both turned at the ruckus coming from the next room.

"Someone's hungry, "they said together as they gathered the dishes.

Naomi watched as Rachna and KT catered to Aryia in her highchair. Now that the little miss had eaten her fill she had sat there vying for both of their attention, even as they sought to finish their own food, as well as attending to their guest. Had she had been a proper nanny, she would have taken care of Aryia, but neither of them would have it. Because of their busy schedules, they took advantage of anytime with their little one. Their only expectations were her help during Rachna's working hours during the day. It seemed a bit chaotic, but looking at them, they definitely had no complaints. She smiled as KT made goofy faces at his daughter, her peals of laughter lightening her mood even more.

It seemed unlikelier as the meal had gone on that her earlier mistake would be revealed, so maybe her estimation of Rachna's Sir had gone up a little. To be on the safe side she had taken the seat next to his at the table, figuring that she may be able to prevent him from disclosing it before he could. She knew she owed her friends the truth. But now she wondered if she had done the right thing noting the speculative looks from the three of them, Daadi , Rachana and even KT. As if she needed that sort of complication,' she thought.

She was still in thought when Rachna began speaking to her Sir, questioning his return to Banaras. "Truthfully, Rachna it was the opportunity to rejoin SVC that did it, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the most happy I was over the past years were there as a coach, so here I am.

Mind you I've also started working with one of the NGOs here have a great bunch of little boys that I am introducing to the game as well. We actually had a session in the park today."

Drinking at the time, Naomi choked when she swallowed too fast.

Smiling Rajeev, patted her back as she coughed, "Are you okay?"

"When today Rajeev Sir? Naomi and Aryia were at the park today, maybe you crossed paths unknowingly."

"Rachna, um where are you with the launch plans, did you need my help with anything?"

Both Kabir and Rachna looked up at Naomi, Rachna in particular wearing an expression of total happiness.

"Are you sure?"

"Do you have the coverage arranged? It would only make sense to use any images and footage for a web page."

"That was next on my list, but I was really hoping that you would want to be involved with that side of things. I just wasn't sure if you were feeling up to it."

"I'm on it Ra. It will probably mean that Aryia and I won't be going on too many more excursions, but I'll still be able to care for her while you are finalizing your designs."

"Come help with the dishes, so I can run some ideas by you."

Upset by her mummy's disappearance, Aryia began fussing. Thankfully Daadi came to the rescue before she became too irate, with the suggestion of a story for her granddaughter. Aryia's sing song chant of "book, book, pari" echoed through the house as Daadi carried her away.

Kabir smiled as he watched the pair leaving, before turning back to Rajeev.

"You are fortunate to have a wonderful family, Kabir Tripathi."

"In no small part due to you so, thank you." He looked at him pensively. "I must say though the last time you put on such an act as I've seen tonight, it was all subterfuge. I hope that's not the case this time."

"I don't understand."

"You seem quite taken with our Pari."

"Ah your nanny, who is not a nanny, but also seems to be a media and IT whiz. She seems an interesting young woman."

"That she is, but more so she is a very, very dear friend, whom we all care very much for."

"I see."

"She's going through a tough time right now so we are especially protective of her."

Before he could respond to that, Rachna returned and placed an invitation in front of him.

"Rajeev Sir, I've been waiting for you to come to give you this, I hope you will be able to come I didn't know where to address it to."

It was an invitation to the launch of Banaras Beauty.

"Funny enough, I'm actually in between places right now. I waiting for the completion of construction of my new place , so I'll actually be living out of a hotel room for the next couple of weeks."

Kabir smiled. "Well the economics of that seems a little harsh, especially when you have friends with so much space."

"Is that an official invitation, Mr. Tripathi?"