TWENTY FOUR
Rukku's wedding was just four days away everyone was in full swing of getting everything prepared. Antara had managed to steer clear of RM and Raghu, she was overwhelmed with the amount of work she had to do, she played every part in preparing for rukku's big day and was working every extra minute on her paintings for the exhibition. Sahil and Sara stuck with RNN Designs and were working well alongside Aman and machmach.
Raghu kept his distance from them although he never failed to make it obvious how disappointed he was about Antara backing out of the project. He made no attempt to contact Antara or even question her about her decision he had convinced himself that he didn't care. But the truth of the matter was that he did care, he had heard from Shruti how she has been struggling to make all ends meet. He looked out for her day in day out but she never engaged in any activities that took place at RM for the wedding.
Rukku's henna ceremony went well they had the ceremony take place at RM, it was a fun filled event with lots of eating and dancing. As it was a strictly ladies event only, Antara was relaxed as she wouldn't have to bump into Raghu. She sat down with rukku who was just finishing having her henna applied; Antara became tearful as she knew she only had a few more days left with her sister. Naani saw Antara wipe away her tears, she came up to her and embraced her in a tight motherly hug. 'I can understand why you are so emotional, but be assured rukku will be very happy here, we will look after her I promise' Antara smiled and hugged Naani back 'I know Naani, I know rukku will be very happy, she is very lucky to have found such a beautiful family, who love her so much...it's just...I mean once she has gone I will feel so lonely' Antara tried desperately not to cry. 'antara, you will never be alone you are always welcome here and rukku is only a drive away you will feel like she never left' Naani comforted Antara and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
As the evening came to an end the rukku and her family got ready to leave, Shruti called out for machmach and Raghu who were in hiding, they had been under strict orders not to come down whilst the ceremony took place. Machmach was down in a flash he couldn't wait to see his beautiful bride to be. Antara stood behind her mum and sister not wanting to see Raghu, she saw him ascend down the stairs and as she did her heart as always started to beat that much faster. Raghu came and greeted everyone, he saw a glimpse of Antara standing hiding behind rukku and geeta, she had her face turned towards the door. All he saw was her long hair and the beautiful emerald green saree she was wearing.
Like Antara, Raghu also felt his heart race he wanted to see her but how would he get her to turn around. 'shruti, how is aunty getting home? I mean I can drop them off if you like' Raghu casually offered. 'That would be great ... actually you can drop rukku and aunty off and machmach can take Antara to the Academy' Shruti responded. Antara drew a sigh of relief that Shruti hadn't asked him to drop her off. Antara walked up to machmach still with her back to Raghu 'machmach do you mind if we leave now I need to get through a lot before tomorrow?' Raghu could feel his blood boil firstly, his plan had back fired and there was no way he would be able to get out of his offer now and secondly, it was nearly nine O'clock why was Antara going to the Academy now?
Antara came forward to bid Shruti, daya mai and Naani farewell, she causally moved her hair the right so it covered her face Raghu knew she was doing this deliberately he was becoming more and more annoyed 'what the hell...this girl is so damn childish' he thought to himself. Not giving a care of who saw he went and stood behind her and ushered her out the front door from the outside it just looked like the two were exiting in sync but what they didn't see was Raghu's hand that had grabbed Antara by her waist and was pushing her forwards.
The minute Raghu's hand touched her delicate waist the heat from his hand radiated all over her body, she shivered as a tingling sensation over took her senses, that was soon replaced by the feeling of his firming hand push her out the door. As they reached the front courtyard Antara turned around 'what the hell do you think you are doing?' Raghu didn't respond he was totally mesmerised she looked stunning, Raghu's hand was still holding onto her waist he started drawing her closer to him as she tried to resist his grip became firmer before she knew it her body had been enveloped by his. His one hand caressed her waist whilst the other moved up to her face to cup her cheek. Antara was finding it hard to concentrate her breathing became erratic her eyes were locked with his until he started to look down on to her quivering lips. 'raghu, please someone will come, let me go' Antara couldn't manage more than a low whisper, Raghu's eyes had never been so dark, they weren't consumed by anger it looked more like hunger they were intoxicating. Raghu's brain was exploding he had no control over his movements all he knew is that he wanted her, and it didn't matter how much he fought himself he just couldn't pull away.
Before he could gauge his own actions Raghu found his head moving down closing the gap between their lips, they could feel the heat of each other's breath. Antara closed her eyes still trying to hold him back, within second she felt his lips upon hers his touch was gentle he kept his lips locked on to hers for a good part of a minute before Antara managed to push him back, she was in utter shock, she gasped for breath and covered her mouth as her eyes had filled up tears. What had he just done? Raghu looked at Antara not sure how to respond, he didn't understand how he had lost control he reached up to stop her retreating steps but before he knew she had turned and ran out of the gates. 'antara...antara wait...stop please' he shouted out after her but it was no use she had vanished into the darkness. Raghu rushed back to his car and drove off in search for her.
In the meantime rukku, machmach and geeta had come out 'where have these two disappeared to?' machmach said looking around 'maybe Antara got raghu to drop her off, you know how impatient she can become' rukku said rolling her eyes at the thought of her sister. 'All the better for us I suppose..' machmach said winking his eye at rukku who started to blush.
Raghu frantically drove in the direction of the Academy he knew Antara needed to go there, she couldn't have got far and there was no way she would get a taxi at this time 'where are you damn it' Raghu said banging his fist against the steering wheel, he was becoming concerned for her safety the night had turned very dark and very cold. As he turned on to the high way he saw a tiny figure sat by the bus stand as he approached her he saw her sitting with her knees drawn into her chest he could tell she was crying as her body was shaking.
Raghu pulled up and ran around the car and went to stand by her. 'an..antara' he called out to her bending down and then gently placing his hand on her shoulder. What had he done he couldn't bear to see her like this. Antara looked up with the help of the street lamps he could see her eyes were red and puffy, her tears were still streaming, the way she squinted her eyes he could tell the cold air was biting at her wet face. The way she looked at him pained him so terribly 'antara...I'm so sorry, are you ok...please Antara get up let me take you' Antara lifted her hand to remove his from her shoulder. She slowly stood up wrapping her arms around her stomach to block the cold air and started walking away from him. Raghu stepped forward and pulled on her elbow 'please Antara, it's not safe for you to be here on your own, I'll drop you how will you get to the Academy from here?' Antara knew he was right even though she loathed the idea of having to get into his car it was the only choice she had unless she wanted to walk in the cold night for the next 40 minutes.
Antara sat in the passenger seat with her back towards him, as Raghu started the car he turned to her 'shall I take you home?' No I need to go to the Academy' she replied as she continued to look out the window. Raghu sighed 'antara at this time, why so late...I mean can it not wait until the morning?' he asked with genuine concern. Antara slowly turned, she still had a few tears brimming in her eyes 'I have a lot of work to catch up on, I need to complete one of my paintings before tomorrow, with the wedding and the Exhibition so close I need to put in extra hours...so take me to the Academy' Antara kept her eyes down as she spoke to him in a gentle whisper, Raghu fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and tell her that how sorry he was for making her cry.
As Raghu pulled up he turned to the back seat picking up his jacket 'here take this, it's really cold' Antara looked at him holding out his jacket she reluctantly took the jacket and without saying anything further got out the car to enter the Academy. Raghu looked on at her retreating figure until she was no longer in sight he threw his head back his heart felt heavy and his head as if it was about to explode. He needed to talk to her about what happened but wasn't sure if now was a good time she was under so much pressure, but he knew the longer he left it the harder it would become to approach her with the subject.
He hadn't planned to kiss her but if he was truthful to himself he didn't regret it, what he regretted was the tears and hurt that was caused. He had never gotten so close to any girl before, he now knew there was no doubt that he had strong feelings for Antara but how was he going to explain this to her, what if she really did hate him especially after tonight and was she really seeing Sahil was he more than just a friend. Raghu knew that he couldn't wait his thoughts and endless questions would drive him crazy he needed to talk to her now he needed to know now. He jumped out of his car and walked through the large corridors of the Academy trying to look for her.
He finally came across a few students standing in the corridor, he didn't know the Academy was open all hours 'um excuse me could you tell me where I can find Antara' 'yes, she is over there' the young man pointed towards a room at the end of the corridor. Raghu thanked him and walked towards the room. As he entered he saw Antara standing in front a canvas she had a white overall on and her hair tied up in a bun. She picked up her brush dipping it into three different colours in her palate before she moved to stroke the canvas. Raghu slowly moved towards her as he came close he saw her freeze as if she had sensed him, he wasn't wrong Antara quickly turned around as she did she dropped the brush her eyes looked at him surprised they were still red and puffy. Antara quickly bent down to pick up the brush which had splashed drops of paint all over the floor. She rose to see Raghu's eyes fixated on her painting he was speechless, completely astounded by what he saw before him. Antara had painted a portrait the most beautiful fictitious woman he had ever seen she was adorned in beautiful gold jewelry an antique gold and sea green Lehnga, the woman looked nothing less than a princess, her face was angelic her eyes spoke a thousand words. 'antara...this...this is absolutely amazing' he looked at her with his eyes glowing he looked with a certain sense of pride, he always knew she was talented, she had proved herself again and again at RNN Design and with the painting she did for Shruti but this was something extraordinary. Antara half-heartedly smiled not knowing what to say, what followed was a long silence she was wondering what he was doing here and he couldn't bring himself to tell her.
'raghu...did you want something' she finally managed to interrupt the long silence. raghu took a deep breath he took her hand making her jump he led her to the table across the room and made her sit down in front of him. Antara 's heart had started to race from the moment he had entered the room from the moment she had sensed his presence but now it was just being ridiculous. She tried to swallow to get her air flowing again as she sat looking into his eyes. 'antara...I'm sorry I know you have a lot on your plate and this is probably not the best time but I needed to do this...ab...about before I ...I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you or scare you...I don't know what happened but I need to try and explain' Antara carried on looking straight at him as he struggled to speak he wasn't meeting her gaze he was looking down to his hands that were nervously rubbing against one another.
Antara was in no fit state of mind to discuss what he wanted to, she may not be showing it but she was still very angry and confused at what had happened. 'ra...raghu, I really have a lot to get through can we do this another time' Raghu looked up at her, she saw his eyes silently pleading Antara took a deep breath she needed to be strong and she wasn't sure if she had any strength left to do this, she was already clutching at trying to hold on to the few straws she had left to keep her mental state intact.
'I have been wanting to talk to you for some time now, but I wasn't sure of what to say and how to say it, every time we meet everything goes wrong...I know it's my fault I can't always keep my temper or aggressive nature in control. I never mean to hurt you Antara it's the last thing I ever want to do...' Raghu stopped he was trying to read her expression but he found nothing but a blank stare, he took another deep breath before he started again. 'For so long I have been fighting with myself trying to understand and accept what has been going on with me...antara I...I know our relationship in whatever context has been volatile but despite everything I feel a certain pull towards you a certain attraction, at first I didn't know what to make of it but then I realised that my heart calls out for you...antara..I...I...what I am trying to say is that I like you...no it's not like its more than that I know it is but what I call it I don't know, all I know is that I want to be with you and...' Raghu who had been looking down whilst he was saying all this hadn't notice the tears that were staining Antara's face, Antara let out a quiet sob making him shoot his head up 'antara...what's wrong...I am so sorry Antara..please don't cry...I can't see you like this...I only kissed you because it felt right...I didn't...' Raghu was desperately trying to explain himself whilst trying to calm her down he had her hand in his holding it like everything depended on it, his eyes had become moist, Antara had never seen him like this she felt overwhelmed, she heard every word and still wasn't able to believe what she had just heard, somewhere deep down she felt a relief, she had realised that she also liked him, Sahil had not been wrong.
Antara pulled her hand back to wipe her face 'antara, please say something please tell me you are ok' Raghu's voice seemed desperate she could clearly see that he was in turmoil, she slowly stood up and moved away from the table Raghu's eyes widened he felt his stomach turn, he closed his eyes as he felt painfully dejected. Antara turned around to face him she closed the gap by taking a step close to him, his eyes were still closed and his head lowered, she reached out and gently placed her hand on his cheek making him look up, the soft touch of her hand generated a warmth in his body even though her eyes were puffy from all the crying they were soft and looked on to him in encouragement giving him the much needed calm. 'raghu...I...ever since I have known you all I have ever received is hate and ill treatment but I know that I never hated you for it believe you me I tried...I tried so hard to hate you but I never could, like you I also felt this force that pulled me towards you, I didn't understand it...it was Sahil that helped me untangle my emotions my thoughts. Raghu I guess what I am trying to say is that I like you too...' Antara saw how her words had brought back the glow in Raghu's face, his eyes had lit up if she didn't know any better he was on cloud nine. Raghu moved his hand to cover hers and he held it tight he so badly wanted to hug her, to kiss her and tell her how much she meant to him.
Cricket
