RaBir FF -A Cast of Characters chapter 97/98 & Epilogue pg121/2 (4 - Page 9

Chapter #7 - First of hopefully two chapters this weekend. A bit of a filler, but a sweet one 😊

"Naomi, should you be moving the equipment like that, just let Rajeev Sir do it for you!"

"Ra I'm just about done. Besides he has done enough for me today." She looked at her watch and then to the man in question. "If you don't leave now, you are going to be late meeting your little boys at the park. Thank you for everything today, I really do appreciate it."

Rajeev nodded and walked out of the room, pausing in the doorway, "Rachna is correct, you shouldn't overdo things especially over the next couple of days, and make sure you take your medication . I will see you when I get back , okay?"

Blushing, Naomi nodded and looked away.

"Goodbye, Rachna"

"Bye Sir."

Rachna smiled to herself and she and Naomi shared a comfortable silence, as her friend made the last connections to her equipment, before powering everything up. Finally Naomi turned to her friend, "Say whatever it is you want to Ra, I'm sure you are chomping at the bit to talk."

"No Naomi, I don't have anything that I want to talk about. Is there anything you wish to share?" she asked wickedly.

Her face reddened deeper, as she shooed her friend out of the room, "Rachna, didn't you have to meet KT in the studio for something?"

"I do, so I will leave you in peace. Make sure you take your medication; I wouldn't want you to get in trouble later." She stopped in the doorway, and turned "And Naomi, don't daydream all afternoon, try to be a little productive."

Rachna walked into the studio, glad that for today at least, there were no assistants working. She walked over to KT and embraced him as he stood at his workstation. Closing her eyes she leaned against his back, smiling when he grasped her hands.

"I have the most brilliant husband."

"Do you? Well I won't argue with you, but which act of genius has convinced you of this?"

"I've just left Naomi and she's seems so more at peace than she has been, well forever."

"Peace, is that what you call it? I would call it the calm before the storm."

Rachna opened her eyes, "What do you mean?"

Turning around , Kabir reversed their embrace. "What I mean my love, is that it obvious that our friend and your Sir are attracted to each other. I only hope Rajeev is fully prepared for the handful he will get when our Naomi is back up to speed. So far he has only seen hints of the dynamo she is."

"But you knew, you could tell from the very beginning couldn't you?"

"Rachna, I don't know why you keep insisting that I am masterminding this, honestly I'm not."

Taking advantage of their being alone he leaned down to kiss her gently.

"Anyway, Mrs. Tripathi, as I much as I care for our guests, I did have another reason for asking you to come to studio. I have some urgent fittings that I need to get done today and," he motioned to the empty studio, " unfortunately I am suffering from an absence of assistants right now, so I was wondering.."

"Oh KT why didn't you say something before, I would have been in earlier. How many models have you got coming in and what are you working on?"

He walked her to a hanging rack holding multiple pieces.

"So many KT? Again why didn't you call me?" She looked at her watch. "Will the models be here shortly?"

"Stop Rachna, it will be okay. First tell me do you like them?"

She finally took the time to peruse them. The majority of them being the most divine Anarkali suits and dresses she had ever seen, she stood in awe of her husband's talent. "KT I swear this is the most beautiful collection of suits I've ever seen. I had no idea you were working on these. They are majestic!" He smiled enigmatically at her words before continuing.

"Are there any you prefer more than the others?"

She selected three and looked at him in question when he removed them to place on another rack, and then sent her to a table of accessories. Would you mind making some selections as well?

Okay KT I'm ready. Shouldn't at least one model be here?"

She looked to him in confusion when he collected the outfits and accessories and guided her towards the dressing area.

"Come out when you're ready, thik hai?"

"KT what do you mean, don't you have to wait for a model?"

"The model that I want is here. Pick one, put it on and come out when you are ready."

She looked absolutely beautiful in her first selection. It was a navy blue silk with long sleeves and a heavy ivory embroidery in a leaf motif extending from one shoulder to the hem of the dress. The embroidery flared at the waist slightly and was balanced with a smattering on the opposite shoulder. The only detail on the back was a circular opening, adding just the right touch of interest.

"This is almost the perfect fit Rachna, I think I just would adjust the draping here, and nothing else."

Kabir faced her to the mirror. "Now for this design I think it would be best for your hair to be upswept as not to take away from the design of the dress, but something soft, not too severe. Perhaps something like this." Lifting her hair from the back , he executed a soft twist to demonstrate what he thought, and when he saw he had her rapt attention, as she watched his actions in the mirror, he bent to kiss the nape of her neck.

He had her totally mesmerized.

"So which one is choice number two Rachna?"

"Huh?"

"Can you try on your second choice?"

Her second choice was a wine colored silk dress accented with gold metallic fabric mandarin collar, waist, and cuffs, and hem. The matching wine dupatta was delicately threaded with the same gold thread. The hanging gold teardrop earrings were just the perfect touch. He noticed that she had fashioned her hair in a style she though appropriate for the style of the dress.

"Did I do that bad of job with your hair, love?"

"No, KT. I just found it a little distracting to be honest.

"Accha, well let's see here. I really don't like how the waist is fitting; it will definitely need adjustment."

He smiled as he adjusted the fabric to his satisfaction before pinning where it required the necessary alteration. "So what are your thoughts on this one?"

"KT, I love it, I just feel wonderful in it, any woman would."

She came out in her third choice, and he had no words.

Other than being of a like colour as the dress he had designed her for the eighteenth birthday, there was absolutely no similarity in the two designs. And yet Kabir was as affected just as much if not more by Rachna in this dress. He walked over to her, clasped her hand and kissed her hand, before spinning her around. She laughed, adding to her appeal .

"I feel as if I'm in the presence of a goddess, Rachna."

"I feel like one in this dress, KT."

The simplicity of the design gave the ivory dress an elegance that only enhanced his wife's beauty. The deep v neck was accented with antique style embroidery of pale gold, copied on the cuffs of its sheer sleeves. Other than this the only adornment was a shimmery ivory panel on the hem of the dress. She had kept the accessories at a bare minimum. And it was perfect, just like her. He sincerely hoped this would be her choice.

"Will you tell me what this is all about now, KT?"

"What had you decided to wear to the launch, Rachna?"

"Acutally I was between two minds between...Oh...oh KT tell me you didn't. Was all this for me?"

"Rachna Tripathi, will you ever realize how much you mean to me; of how proud I am to call you mine?"

"Umm can you hold that thought just one second, I'll be right back."

Kabir watched, shaking his head, as she dashed back to the dressing area in tears. When she came back, she practically launched into his arms, "I love you so much, Kabir Tripathi. Nothing would make me happier to wear any one of your designs." She looked over at the rack, and the number of designs her had offered, "But why so many; the time that had to have taken!"

"You are worth every minute and more, Rachna. So have you decided?"

She smiled, "I have, and surely you know which one it is."

"I have my suspicions."

"Well we will leave it at that."

"Now there is just one other thing, but I'm not sure how it will go over." He walked over to another rack and extracted a suit that Rachna hadn't noticed before.

"I had planned it to cheer her up, thinking that she would wear it to the launch, but now that she is going to be working it, I'm not sure if she will get any use out of it."

"Actually I'm hoping that things will be well under control so that she can enjoy the reception at the very least." Further examining the outfit, Rachna smiled, "Oh KT it's gorgeous, and it's so her. I don't even think that I will have to coerce her too much for a fitting. I'm so sure that once she sees it she will definitely have a reason to wear it. I'll have to remind her that she has someone to impress now"

"And you accuse me playing Cupid?"