RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 30

Chapter 29

Naomi stood with Neeta as Rachna spoke on her mobile, confirming that the driver was on his way to collect them. "Thank you so much for inviting me, Neeta, unfortunately I was travelling when Rachna's Godh Bharai was held, and I regretted it so much. It was truly a beautiful event; you look wonderful and it's more than evident that Shekhar is over the moon!"

"We are both very excited. It's amazing to think that we will be parents in a couple more months; I feel so grown up," she said with a laugh. "But, how are you doing; did you ever settle things with your hero?" She watched as the other woman blushed and then turned as she heard Rachna's voice. "I would say they've reached an understanding Neeta; although I'm not certain how he is going to react when we get home. One look at her and Rajeev will be either will be even more encouraged, or ready to run the hills."

"You will have to let me know how it all pans out Rachna; we can see how the henna works out for her."

"Ha-ha, you two." She would never admit that she too was pondering Rajeev's reaction to her attire today. She was wearing her very first saree and she felt absolutely lovely in it. And making the day even more special had been learnng that Neeta had arranged for a mehndi artist today as well. She admired the design on her hands before she realized that maybe she should have checked with KT as they had a shoot scheduled very soon. "Oh no Rachna, I just remembered the photo-shoot." Her friend shook her head in understanding. "I'm certain it won't be an issue Naomi." Just then her phone rang and after a short conversation, she hung up. "Our driver is here, so we have to get going. Its back to the studio for me, I really have to finalize my work in the next day or so." Both she and Naomi hugged Neeta, once again wishing her well. As she was about to leave, Rachna stopped to say goodbye to Shekhar's mother, who at one time had come so close to being her own mother-in-law. Neeta smiled. "A lesser woman would be bothered by how highly their mother-in-law, still regards her husband's almost fianc, but I can't even fault her; Rachna is such a wonderful person."

Naomi agreed. " She's the absolutely best; definitely the sister I was meant to have."

Abhi sat his car watching the young women exit his friend's home. Aware of the baby shower being held for Neeta, he had anticipated having an excuse to be there as his wife had been invited to the event. Due to her unexpected illness, he had been resigned to lurking in the area in hopes of catching sight of his quarry. By virtue of Rachna's attendance, he was certain that Naomi too would be there as well. He had yet to come to a decision whether or not to work with Sonal, but judging by his body's gnawing response on seeing Naomi, he knew that he had to have her at any cost.

The car parked near her house immediately got Rachna's attention. Her brow furrowed; today was not a scheduled visitation day, why was Sonal here?

"Ra, what's wrong?"

"I hope nothing, but I'm sure that we will find out soon."

The two friends walked to the front door, and when about to enter, were beaten in the task of opening the door when the it swung inward and Sonal stood there ready to exit.

"Hello Rachna, how are you? I hadn't expected to see you."

"I can't possibly why you would think that Sonal, you are after all in my home. That is unless you are keeping tabs on me now days and knew that I wouldn't be here, but that wouldn't make sense would it?"

"Actually, I've been called into work for a special project, and Kabir being such the doting father, offered to care of our son for the duration."

"Well in addition to the numerous things he excels at my husband is nothing less than a loving father." She stepped aside and motioned Sonal to leave. "Please, don't let us keep you. I hope your work goes well. I guess we will see you when you get back."

Sonal walked back to her car, furious at the casual dismissal she had been meted out. It was apparent that Rachna was so secure in her relationship, that she didn't consider her the slightest threat. Recalling that she had regrouped her efforts, she had to remind herself that this was exactly what she wanted. If she could just get everything in place... "Calm down Sonal, she will get what's due to her." She had fastened her seatbelt, when her mobile rang. "What?"

"Your attitude doesn't bode well for planning or execution, Madam. I confess to wondering if you can actually fulfill your end of the bargain."

"Even if I have to deliver her to you personally, she will be yours for the taking."

"Thik hai, where and when can we meet to discuss this further?"

They had closed the door, but remained there contemplating what had just happened. "She's planning, I know she's planning something; this is just the beginning, but I can feel it, Naomi."

"Don't worry Ra, she can try, but we won't let her win, okay." She looped her arm in her friend's. "For now, let's just see what the situation is. I know you have to get to work, and I can't imagine that KT is any less busy with our first shoot coming up." She grimaced a bit. "I'm really supposed to help Rajeev work on the plan for his furniture, but I'll step up to help if you guys need it. I may have to dazzle him with my beauty first to get him to agree to include Sanjay in our plans though."

"You do far too much for us; thank you Naomi. I'm sure he will agree, but remember to show him your henna if you meet any resistance; if he's anything like KT he will be a sucker for it."

Now she approached her hands full with her laptop and other supplies. He supposed it would have been too much for her to ask for help her, he thought as he reached out, seeing her struggle with everything she was carrying. Beautiful and bullheaded - that was his Naomi.

"You must be the most stubborn woman in existence, why didn't you ask for help carrying all of this?"

"Oh please, this is nothing in comparison to the equipment I have to cart around sometimes, Rajeev. I'm not helpless you know."

"Be that as it may, you shouldn't..."

"Uncle, you have to be nice to Pari, or you will make her cry again."

Rendered speechless by the young boy's succinct statement, Rajeev looked to Naomi who was setting her items on the dining room table where they had gathered. "He may be a little bossy today, but he's not being naughty, Sanjay. Besides he said sorry very nicely yesterday so we are friends again."

The little boy nodded before looking directly, and holding the gaze of the grown man beside him. "That's good, cause when you are nice to Pari, then you get to play with her, and that's a lot of fun to do."

"Is it, Sanjay?" He took opportunity to look over to the lady in question. "I will have to make sure that I am very nice then."

Now that they were finally getting down to it, Rajeev came to the realization when she put her mind to her task, Naomi was quite thorough. He looked at her laptop screen where she had scanned the floor plan to his flat into and had now had replicated it in a 3d interior design program in which they could virtually design every room. "I'm not sure whether to be impressed, or frightened. Are you so eager to get rid of me that you have resorted to this?"

Naomi shrugged. "Well you did ask for help, this is it. I guess I'm an all or nothing type of girl, but in this case you can lay the blame solely on Daddy. This is one of his favorite programs, but he has a bad habit of using for mundane things like rearranging furniture. Needless to say this drives my mum crazy. At least this will put the program to better use." She looked over at Sanjay who was busy drawing on some spare floor plans she had printed. "Or we can use Jayjay's renderings, which may end up being better than anything we do anyway. How are you doing, have you got Uncle Rajeev's place ready for him yet."

"Soon Pari, I will let you know."

Abhi laughed derisively at the woman across the table from him. "You call that a sound plan, it sounds like a lot of nonsense to me. First of all there is no way what you suggest would ever work; you obviously do not know how devoted those two girls are to each other. And secondly, and this is even more ludicrous, you intend to rely on a child as a source of all of the information to effect the plan." He shook his head in disgust that he had wasted his time. "Like I said, ludicrous."

"That child led me to you, don't forget that Abhi."

"Sheer happenstance: nothing more nothing less." Rattled that she was in danger of being dismissed, Sonal pleaded. "What do you need to prove that this will work?"

Abhi looked at his watch, before throwing down some notes on the table to pay for their drinks. "He's been there for a couple of hours now, you say? Thik hai, call me this evening and tell me something concerning my Naomi that would interest me. Mind it must be something verifiable, so no making up stories, Sonal."

He answered the call on the first ring. "Tell me."

"I understand that Rajeev was quite taken with Naomi."
"This isn't newsworthy."

"The henna had him totally captivated it seems. He asked if she had done it with someone special in mind." Abhi's jaw tightened in recollection that he had basically asked her the same question the first time he had approached her.

"Hello, Abhi are you still there?"

His gruff tone came over the phone. "And what did she say, how did she answer that question?"

"Well seems it's not the first she had been asked the question, but she didn't want to slap Rajeev like she wanted to the first person who had asked her. Quite the contrary it seems."

Deafening silence met these remarks.

"Oh dear Abhi, please don't tell me that was your pick up line; it's no wonder you got nowhere with her."

She heard the phone disconnect, and smiled gleefully. He would be in contact for sure. She hadn't had yet had the opportunity to tell him of their plans for furnishing Rajeev's new flat. Looking at the sheet of paper Sanjay had brought home with him, she could even provide an address for him. She would have to emphasize all of the opportunities the couple would have to be alone; plenty of time for romance should they desire. Surely that would get him onboard to help her.