FF - The Colour of Love Updated page 103 :) - Page 59

Originally posted by: nazi786

No worries u take ur time
I'm just going to read it from the start again untill u update lol

Originally posted by: hayakhan5

honey jii update kahan hain??
feel like ages!!!
update asap...
i m dying to read...

Originally posted by: honeybees22

no update for a month or so cuz i have to finish the other ones

Originally posted by: hayakhan5

Yar not fair...
Chalo i m waiting a month then..

Originally posted by: honeybees22

updating today

Originally posted by: honeybees22

updating today

THIRTY TWO

As raghu reached home he walked in to find his whole family waiting in anticipation all smiling like there was no tomorrow. Shruti ran up to him 'well what did she say...come on tell us we have been dying for you to come and tell us the good news' raghu looked at his sister 'there is nothing to tell Shruti' as he said that he started to walk away from her he saw how everyone's face dropped Shruti walked up to him quickly and placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him 'raghu did she say no' she asked nervously 'No, I didn't ask her' everyone sighed a sigh of relief. 'What happened, did you two not meet..' raghu didn't let Shruti finish her sentence 'shruti, please I am really tired and I really can't talk about this right now'. Raghu ran up to his room leaving his family concerned and confused by what he had just said.

Back at Antara's apartment Geeta and Ashok had retired to bed. Antara lay in bed ploughing through her jumbled thoughts and emotions. When she had said yes to the exchange programme she had failed to stop and think about raghu but then again she thought that he would be happy support her in fulfilling her dream. She needed to do this and it was only for three months, she had to make raghu understand and be ok with her decision.

Raghu sat on his bed looking down at the ring he had bought for Antara he was finding it hard to keep himself calm in any manner 'this girl is going to drive me insane' he thought to himself he gripped the little box in his hand and threw himself back on his bed 'I can't let her go, there is no way I can be ok with this, I will have to talk her out of this somehow'.

The Youth Festival was running its course for a week, Antara and her friends were there playing every part. She hadn't heard from raghu since last night even after having left numerous messages. She went over to where Sahil and Sara were but he had not come. Antara was getting worried she didn't realise or fully understand why this was effecting him so much. During the course of the day Antara excused herself and made her way to RNN Designs. As she entered she greeted some old faces and asked the receptionist if raghu was in his office. Antara slowly made her way up and knocked on his door when she didn't hear anything she pushed the door open to find raghu sitting on his chair with his eyes closed. The click of the door closing behind Antara was loud enough to wake raghu up. Raghu was more than surprised to see Antara, he quickly sat up 'Hi...what...I mean you here, is everything ok' he managed to blurt out. Antara walked up to him and leant on the table next to his chair. 'raghu what is wrong? I have been trying to get hold of you all day, do you know how worried I have been, if this is all about the exchange programme then please talk to me I need to know you are ok' as Antara said her last words raghu jolted his chair back making Antara jump, he walked around the table and went and stood facing the glass window.

Antara went and stood behind him, she didn't really know what to say 'raghu please, I am finding this really hard, please talk to me' raghu closed his eyes and lowered his head 'I can't Antara, I can't be ok with this I can't let you just go and be so far away from me' he turned to face her 'I don't think I would survive, I know you think it's only for three months but...I don't know how to explain to you...when I thought I had lost you before it was as if I could see my life ending, I could feel my breath fading the light vanishing, I don't think I can do it Antara' Antara felt overwhelmed by what she was hearing small tears escaped her eyes. The love she could see emanating from raghu was beyond anything 'raghu you will never lose me I will never leave you, I am yours and only yours, how can I prove that to you, it is for three months I will never get another opportunity like this. I...if you want you can come to see me and I will come back in between and I...'antara's tears had started to over flow, she didn't know how to reassure him, raghu was not blind to the pain he could see in her face the torment he could hear in her voice. He hated seeing her cry but most of all he hated being the reason for her tears. Raghu steeped closer and took Antara into his arms. 'I'm sorry Antara I didn't mean to make you cry...I...' Antara lifted her head off his chest and looked up at him raghu gently placed a kiss on her forehead and wiped her tears away 'I love you Antara' he said with sincerity and I love you raghu, and nothing in the world can ever change that...I promise'.

Raghu stood back and took a deep breath 'fine you want to go, you can but only after you have answered this question' Antara looked at him confused after all that he was going to be ok with her going Antara smiled 'sounds easy enough ask away'. Raghu walked to his desk and took out the little box, this was not how he had imagined to do this but it was now or never. He walk back around to stand in front of Antara 'last night when I took you to the hill side it was to ask you the same question, but obviously things didn't go to plan, and this is the not how I had planned to do this...' 'raghu what is it' Antara asked anxiously. Raghu took Antara's hand and bent down on one knee 'Antara Kaul...will you marry me' as he said that he opened the little box that shone a beautiful white gold ring with a solitaire.

To say Antara was in shock would be an understatement she had her mouth covered with both hands and if her eyes opened any further she was sure to lose them. 'OMG...raghu are you serious' she managed to finally say. Raghu stood up and cupped her face 'I have never been more serious about anything else in my entire life Antara...antara will you be mine forever' Antara really didn't know what to say it should be as easy as saying yes or no, of course she wanted to marry him and of course she wanted to be his forever but she just never thought it would be so soon so quickly. 'antara...are you trying to kill me at least answer' raghu was becoming more and more nervous he felt like every organ was going to explode. Antara stepped back and wiped away the stray tears that ran down her face she looked into raghu's eyes 'Yes...Yes I will marry you Mr Raghunath Naik' Antara was hardly able to contain her happiness she was screaming, crying, shaking all at the same time, raghu hugged her he couldn't be happier. He pulled Antara back holding her face tightly he placed his lips over hers and held her in the passionate embrace for as long as he could. 'Thank you Antara...thank you so much' he took put the ring and placed it on her finger.

Antara and raghu had to break their news to the rest of their family and friends. Raghu arranged for the whole family - Antara's parents and the Naiks's to be present at fashion show in the evening. Antara made her way back to the Festival not believing what had just happened and not being able to wait for this evening to tell her family. It couldn't be more perfect she was engaged to the man that she loved and she was going to Italy to do what she loved.

As everyone prepared for the show to kick off Rantara waited for their families to arrive. 'antara...what's going on' Sahil asked giving her a curious look 'wh..what do you mean ..nothing am just excited for raghu...and you of course and plus our families are coming today' Sahil was not convinced he knew there was more to it, he had never seen Antara smiling nonstop 'hmmm..if you say so' Antara playfully punched his arm as they continued with their playful fighting Antara heard raghu call out to her. 'antara they are here, and the show is about to start we should take our seats' Antara nodded and took raghu's hand in hers. Before raghu turned to lead Antara he looked to Sahil 'Oh Sahil make sure Sara and Aman have sorted out the change of music for the end credits' 'Sure will do'.

Antara met her parents then the Naik family. Machmach and rukku had also returned from their honeymoon. Antara was over the moon to see rukku! she couldn't stop hugging and kissing her. Once their sisterly show of affection was over Antara looked back, she was surprised to see arnav he never had time to attend anything. Shruti didn't miss the look Antara gave and started laughing 'We had to hold him hostage and drag him out' she said holding onto arnav's arm who rolled his eyes in response, everyone shared their little joke. Antara held raghu's hand tightly she couldn't believe she was going to become part of this beautiful family.

As the show came to an end raghu asked Antara to call Sara and Sahil whilst he called for Aman and the families to assemble together. Once everyone had gathered raghu stood next to Antara holding her hand tightly in his he could sense her nerves taking over and her heart beating out of pace, Antara looked at him and as soon as their eyes connected she felt a certain calm take over raghu gave her a reassuring smile and then turned to face everyone.

Raghu cleared his throat 'um...you must be wondering why we have called you here...well there is something I...I mean we wanted to share with you. Earlier today...umm...I' 'I what raghu , not like you to lose your words' machmach cut him off mid-sentence laughing, rukku elbowed him to shut him up and raghu gave him a scowling look before he went back to what he was saying 'as I was saying, earlier today I asked Antara to marry me and she said yes' he let out in one breath. There was total silence Rantara looked at each other and before they knew it everyone was up screaming with joy. They were crushed between hugs they couldn't keep up with the number of embraces or kisses 'I can't believe it raghu, you finally did it...and you...thank you so much Antara' Shruti could not stop the tears of joy, raghu hugged his sister as he wiped away her tears, he knew what this meant to her, ever since their parents had passed away there was never any occasion that raghu or Shruti ever celebrated with true happiness. News of Shruti's pregnancy was the best news raghu had ever had and for Shruti the fact that her brother had fallen in love and was going to get married was the best news she had ever had. Sahil and Sara grabbed Antara 'I knew it...I knew something was up with this girl, she was smiling nonstop' Sahil exclaimed. Antara embraced both her friend in a tight hug and showed off her beautiful ring.

As everyone settled down raghu began to address them again 'there are a few things I need to discuss' raghu looked at Aman and machmach guys I need you to call a meeting with PR and..' 'we got it covered... don't worry we will make sure everything is in place before morning' machmach said he didn't let raghu finish his sentence as he knew exactly what he was going to say. Aman nodded in agreement and walked off to take care of things. Raghu was one of India's youngest and richest eligible bachelors news of his engagement was sure to create a media frenzy he needed to make sure that the media did not get wind of this. His main concern was for Antara he knew she would be bombarded where ever she went, her safety and the privacy of his family was paramount. He also needed to inform them of Antara's exchange programme to Italy and that any official engagement ceremony would have to take place after her return. He knew that his sister and Naani would want him to get married as soon as possible but he was not prepared to put that pressure on Antara he needed them to understand that he would not marry her until she had finished her Masters. Antara was oblivious to what was going on in raghu's head; he had not discussed any of these plans or decisions with her.

When he approached the subject of Antara moving away he could see that Naani and geeta were not happy. They also objected to the idea of the marriage taking place after Antara finished her Masters. 'antara can continue her studies once she is married, there will be no restrictions imposed so why wait so long and three months or now what difference will it make for the engagement ceremony to take place, there is no need for all this delay' Naani was not in agreement with anything raghu was saying, she was not against Antara studying, she didn't like the idea of her going abroad and living on her own for three months but was willing to accept that as raghu assured her that he would personally see to arranging Antara's living arrangements and ensure that one member of the family would always visit her in rotation. As the debate continued between Naani and raghu, Shruti was trying to mediate between the two. Antara was visibly becoming distressed, geeta could see that Antara was on edge she quickly walked up to her and without drawing too much attention pulled her to the side.

'antara beta are you ok...it seems like a lot has happened and is going to happen in a short spate of time. Antara why didn't you tell me about the programme in Italy' Antara turned to her mother "mum I only found out yesterday I was introduced to a number of associates by my lecturer and if was too good an offer to turn down, I didn't know raghu was going to propose. But mum all this...it just seems too much, I mean to have someone with me all the time, I don't need baby-sitting I know raghu cares and it has taken him a lot to agree to this but...I don't know' Antara couldn't finish her sentence she couldn't think straight and wasn't sure if what she was saying made any sense. Geeta hugged Antara to comfort her, as she did rukku came to join them. Antara was better able to talk to rukku and tried to explain what she was feeling and thinking. As the sisters were engrossed in conversation raghu walked up to them asking to talk to Antara in private. Antara gave raghu a smile; he knew instantly that she was upset as her smile never reached her eyes.

'I'm sorry Antara I never got to talk to you about any of this...Naani is as stubborn as I am I have managed to uphold most of what I said but she would like an official engagement before you leave for Italy...is that ok with you?' Antara wasn't able to think straight too much was going on at the same time. 'raghu I haven't been given a date to leave for Italy yet, I don't understand what is happening, this was supposed to be a simple announcement right? If Naani wants an official engagement ceremony to take place then of course I am ok with that. But...raghu what I am not ok with is what you said earlier...' Antara lowered her head she couldn't hold on to raghu's gaze any longer. 'antara tell me what did I say' 'Ab...About my living arrangements and family being with me in Italy, it's not how I want to do this raghu...Please you need to understand I want to do this for myself I don't want to have everyone worry about me and have to keep watch over me, didn't we agree that we would stay in touch every day, a hundred times a day and in between you would visit then why the need for all this' Antara's heart was beating fast she was just about managing to speak coherently raghu could see the distress and tension building up on her face. He understood what she was saying and to a point agreed with her this was her opportunity to independently do something that she loved to do. Raghu moved forward and held Antara close to him 'antara everything will happen as you want it to...I promise, let's just get this ceremony over and done with and then we can take everything else one step at a time' Antara hid her face in raghu's chest and held him as tight as she could.