Part 4
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"Good Morning" when Kabir heard the voice, he rubbed his eyes again to make sure he is not dreaming.
The damsel in front of him was brushing her hair. Her shampoo's fragrance seemed so seductive. She kept her comb down on the dressing table, turned towards him and said.
"We have finished our bath as I told you yesterday. By the time you finish shower, I will get Dolu ready. We will stay outside and wait for you", she gave him the space he needed.
When he passed through her to go for bath, her wet hair arose every sensation in him. He got himself under control.
He got dressed up and locked the room, Rachna and Dolu were waiting for him at launch. As soon as Dolu saw Kabir, he ran towards him. Kabir lifted him happily. Rachna went towards them smiling.
"Such a cute family", Rachna felt embarrassed by receptionist's comment. Kabir sensed it. He clarified.
"Sorry, she is my assistant and it's her brother. Yesterday, your colleague snatched a room from her to give it away to somebody", Kabir was still aggressive.
Rachna felt uncomfortable. She knew, he was only trying to defend her. But during the process, he was also letting out the information of her night stay with him to others.
She shared room with him. It did not bother her. But others coming to know of it bothered her more. Men can never sense what issues bother women.
She dragged him out and asked the receptionist, "Actually we just came to ask, is there any recreation activities for the kids as promised by the organisers?"
"I don't know what exactly happened yesterday madam. Sorry for that. We definitely have activities to engage the kids", she assured them. After breakfast Rachna and Kabir left Dolu with the staff to attend the symposium.
It was totally a new experience for Rachna with the corporate world. She was talented, no doubt. But she was yet to learn the commerce involved in the designing industry. Here she started seeing another face of KT, a man with shrewd business skills. "How much ever I know, there is always something to learn from this man", she felt.
KT let her learn by letting her mingling with his clients. When they asked for her introduction, he proudly said, "She is my right hand. Ms. Rachna Garg". When he was saying her first name, his heart felt light; as if it set itself free from a chain.
She was good when they asked her, what is the idea behind their creation, theme for their series. But found herself at fix when they asked her, how their creations are special from others. Kabir came for her help then. Overall, it was a refreshing experience and a big learning curve for Rachna.
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It was evening. Rachna was sitting at the hotel lawn, her mind was still recalling the day. Kabir and Dolu got tired of playing. They came towards Rachna and stretched their legs.
"So how did your conference go?" After playing for an hour, Dolu remembered actually they had come there for the symposium!
"Great", Kabir was still panting. He drank from the bottle lying next to Rachna. That was not enough to cool him, he poured it over the body. Rachna tried to ignore but could not help admiring those biceps silently. But she was quick enough to focus her mind back from diversion.
"Sorry KT. I know, I was not up to the mark today. But I would definitely improve by tomorrow", she had still not gotten over from her new experience and excitement. Kabir smiled.
"Ms. Garg. Actually you were really good. You are a good learner too. Problem lies with the cultural difference".
Rachna raised her eyebrows. Kabir continued.
"Your brought up has taught you to be polite, humble. But corporate world expects the opposite. It expects you to show confidence. You get put off by an attitude, but your humbleness will be misconstrued by this world as lack of confidence in your field". Rachna was listening to him carefully.
"In every field, talent constitutes 50%. Rest is projection. Sometimes even our appearance ...", Kabir paused with a hesitation.
"Go on KT, I am listening".
"He means to say, you don't dress up the way others dress up here", Dolu said the blunt truth, which Kabir did not want to say.
Rachna looked at KT disbelievingly. She had presumed, he had faith in her talent. But he too..? Her eyes started to get teary. Kabir sensed it and tried to do the damage control.
"Dolu's wordings may be wrong. But understand from your own experience. You have come across so many people with fake behaviour and attitude. You can't change all of them. We should know how to play their rules, but still be ourselves from inside."
"Di, you look so beautiful. I get so annoyed at people who call you Behenji", Dolu took out his frustration out for the first time.
Rachna clenched her fist recalling the incidents in her past. Then she thought about her parents. She felt helpless. Dolu understood what is bothering her.
"Di, I will not tell anybody at home. Just dress up the way these people are and give them back", Dolu wanted to take revenge on all the people who had mocked at his dear Di in the past.
"No Dolu, that's not right".
"He is right Ms. Garg. You will not be able to explain this situation to your parents over the phone. Nor can you go and meet them and come back by morning. Just wear it and later explain its need to your parents. I am sure, they will understand. They have let their daughter in law wear the dress the way she prefers. They will not turn you down", Kabir assured her.
"Shall we go for the dress store then?", Rachna just nodded when Kabir asked her.
They parked their car near the mall. Kabir and Dolu who were sitting at front got down. But not Rachna. Dolu peeped from the window. He saw his Di still being upset. He sat back in his seat to give her assurance. He also called Kabir back.
"Kabirji, please get in. Only you can make didi understand", somehow Dolu's intuition was telling him, it is only Kabir who can change Rachna.
Kabir could not hold himself anymore. He opened the back door and sat next to her.
Rachna was trying hard to brush aside those events at past which kept hitting her confidence and morale. Her eyes were getting wet.
"Ms. Garg", Kabir raised her hand and firmly held them, forgetting all the barriers between them. Rachna just leaned on his hand and she broke down. Kabir never felt himself so helpless before. He wanted to lend his shoulders for her to cry. He wanted to hug her and tell her, how beautiful she is to him. But she does not want his shoulders. Nor is she bothered to know what she is for him.
He just waited for her to calm down and she did. She slowly got herself under control. Took her hands away and wiped her tears. She said with a determination, "Sorry KT, let's go now".
They got out of the car and Kabir followed the sister and brother. He looked at his hand. He could not tell her how he felt, when she took her hands away from his.
Edited by bollyfood - 11 years ago
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
