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

Chapter#3

Kabir was reclining in bed, when Rachna finally returned from the nursery. "That took a little longer than I expected."

"Well to be honest, I did take the opportunity to cuddle with her a little longer. I've just been so busy that it seems that I've hardly seen her in days."

"I know how Aryia must be feeling being so neglected by the one she probably loves the most."

"Her Pari, you mean?"

"Lord she has definitely latched on to that word hasn't she? Poor Naomi, she seems to have lost her identity thanks to our daughter."

"Especially since we are all calling her that. It doesn't seem to bother her too much. Did you notice that's how she introduced herself to Rajeev Sir?"

Kabir had noticed quite a bit as it related to Rachna's Sir, and Naomi, but he would leave that for another time. He looked up to see Rachna staring at him. "Do you have something on your mind, Rachna?"

"I think that's the question I should be asking you Kabir Tripathi." Ignoring his impassive expression, she continued, "Why have you invited Rajeev Sir to come and stay with us? Please don't tell me you are intending to play matchmaker or something. Naomi is already nursing a broken heart, and I don't want her to be subjected such risk anytime soon. I wanted her here so she could recover ,not...Oh!

Losing her balance when he grabbed the sash of her robe and pulled, Rachna landed on the bed, scooting away from her husband as he advanced. Both of them knew it to be halfhearted attempt, and she smiled boldly at him as he came closer to her. Leaning on his elbow, Kabir stared down at his beautiful and caring, wife. "Mrs. Tripathi, It's not in my nature to match-make, so let's get that out of the way in the first instance. Secondly it had to be obvious that your Sir evoked more of a reaction from Naomi this evening than any of us have in days. I'm not going to pretend to say I comprehend everything, but not only did she have dinner with us , but she also willingly got involved in your launch. I know that this something you wanted from her, so don't tell me you aren't happy about that. If a few hours in his presence achieved those sort of results then.."

He stopped when his she reached up to caress is face, "I clearly have the smartest of husbands, Rachna whispered."

In return he leaned in to kiss her as she lay reposed; her forehead, one cheek and then the other, finally moving towards her lips. Lingering just above her now flushed face, he smiled "Remind me to tell you more of my observations in the morning, so I can really convince how smart your husband is."

"Naomi's heart is not broken. Her pride may be bruised, but that's about it."

"Sorry KT, your intelligence obviously peaked yesterday, that is the dumbest thing you've ever said."

"Mark my words, Rachna even she will admit it at some point."

"Okay , I'll take you at your word, but it seems as a pretty sorry excuse for such lingering unhappiness."

"Even the smartest of husbands cannot claim to comprehend you women all the time."

Rachna looked up from fixing her hair in front of the mirror, "Excuse me?"

"You're wasting time, Rachna, don't you have a collection to finalize?"

Entering the studio, Kabir looked at his watch, and then at Rachna, her brow furrowed as she concentrated on the work she was doing. She had been at it without stopping for too long now. He smiled, understanding her fervor for her very first collection, but someone had to look out for her wellbeing, and make her realize that she needed to take a break. The irony wasn't lost on him that he was now playing this role; after all it was from Rachna that he himself had learned this lesson. However Daadi had already advised him that she hadn't stopped for lunch and since then some hours had passed. Evidently it was time for reinforcements.

The reaction on his return was immediate, when the stillness of the studio was punctuated by the excited babble of their daughter who caught sight of Mummy. Kabir set Aryia on the floor so that she could reach the object of her desire on her own terms. Unsurprisingly, Rachna stopped everything she was doing to kneel to receive the little girl excitedly ambling towards her. "Mama...Mama."

"Hello Baby, what are you doing here?"

"She's my accomplice, Rachna."

"Really, what's the plan, she distracts me and you steal my designs Mr Tripathi?"

"Actually were going for something much better than that."

Naomi entered with the baby bag, and set it on Rachna's workstation. "There you go, everything you need; have a good time."

" KT, I don't have time for this, there's just too much to do."

Kabir grabbed the bag and picked up Aryia, "You have five minutes to go over anything with you need to with your assistants, and then Aryia and I expect to see you at the car."

"But"

"Five minutes, Rachna."

Rachna packed away the remnants of their light meal and then raised her head towards the sun and breathed deeply, "This is lovely, I didn't realize how tense I was feeling."

"That is why you have Aryia and I to save you, love."

"Thank you, although it appears that Aryia had an ulterior motive," Rachna nodded in the direction of their absconding child scampering off the blanket they had spread out. She laughed as KT shot up to collect their daughter. "I think you have been deceived, you should have checked to see what your accomplice wanted out of the deal first."

"Ah well that doesn't matter, since I have both of my ladies well in hand now."

"I love you, KT."

"I love you too, Rachna. You have to know that you and Aryia are my entire world. I'm nothing without either of you."

"Well lucky for you, Kabir Tripathi, that is something you will never have to worry about."

"Accha?"

She nodded coming close to place a light kiss on his lips and smiled her appreciation for caring for her so much. "This is just the best afternoon. You know what the one thing that would make it perfect though?" Even as she spoke, he had rifled through the bag to get something. She smiled as he gave it her. After she unwrapped it, she popped the first chocolate square into his mouth, before taking a piece for herself. "Oh, you are definitely a keeper after this, KT."

Rachna looked at her watch, and then sheepishly at her husband. "You do realize we are going to have to get back soon though?"

"Come on Rachna, just leave it alone for today. I know that you are really close to completing everything, so why not relax for a bit..."

"Thik hai. Just out of curiosity what time is Rajeev Sir moving in? It totally slipped my mind to mention this to Naomi. We could be missing some real entertainment by staying here you know."