FF: Pyar Ho To Aisa - Page 16

Antara raised her sweaty hand to knock on Raghu's door, nerves bubbling in her stomach. She took a deep breath and hit the door, three quick raps and waited for what felt like an eternity.

"Come in", his musical velvet voice called out lazily.

She let her breath out, not even realizing that she had been holding it. She opened the door and walked in. He was on the computer, his back to her. She walked over and placed her hands on both of his shoulders, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

"Guess who?" she said breathlessly. He wheeled around in his spinny chair and grinned her favorite crooked grin. He was just as beautiful as always, his deep brown eyes alight with surprise.

"Antara I didn't expect to see you here" he said. He sounded pleased and Antara took that as a good sign.

"Yeah, well mujhe bhi nahi pata tha ki mein yahan aaongi until 5 minutes ago" she explained. "Otherwise I would've called."

"No need, pehle kab karti thi. Aur aaj knock bhi kiya. Aaj kya hua Ms. Kaul" he said, teasing. "Yaar, ab hasi bhi nahi, I am kidding. You're always welcome here". She grinned at his words and slowly made her way over to his bed and sank onto it, patting the space next to her. She waited until she felt his weight next to her before she continued.

"You know, mujhe laga ki Simmi aur tum aaj date par gaye thy". She confessed and shivered lightly, in anticipation for what she was going to do. "That's where I thought you were rushing off".

"Antara agar aisa hota toh sabse pehle tumhe batata na" he said gently. "I had a doctor's appointment".

"Yeah, mujhe pata lag gaya tha jab Simmi ghar aayi. Aur usne mujhe aapni date ke baare me bataya, lekin mujhe laga ki woh tumhare saath gayi thi". She took a deep breath. "Mujhe bahut gussa aya. Just the thought of you and her. A romantic date on the beach. Kissing". she shuddered and he laughed. It sounded like wind chimes and it gave her the courage to continue.

"So I yelled at her", she said Raghu's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Actually, meine to bechari ko dara hi diya. I didn't want to hear about her dating you. It was making me sick". He was staring at her now. His face looked surprised and slightly hopefully. His eyes were sparkling.

"Then usne mujhe bataya ki woh tumahare saath nahi Satya ke saath gayi thi. Tum soch bhi nahi sakte ki yeh sun kar mujhe kitni khushi hui". she said softly. Antara was staring at her hands, not able to look at his eyes, knowing that she would get lost and forget everything if she looked at him.

"Aur tab meine realize kiya ki mein kitni stupid hoon. If I had stopped wallowing in my misery for five minutes, I would've heard her say she was going out with Satya, not you. Then I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary pain", she continued. A blush was steadily making its way up her face, as she confessed her feelings for him. She could feel Raghu scoot a bit closer to her.

"Were you jealous?" he asked, his voice half hopeful half teasing. She gulped once before continuing.

"Very". she peeked up at him and his eyes were smoldering, drawing her in. She wanted to hug him right then and there. But she quickly averted her gaze back to her hands before continuing. "Itne saalo sai meine hamesha tumhe aapna best friend samjha. Lekin jab meine tumko aur Simmi ko sath dhekha it made me much more upset then a friend should be. I felt things that friends wouldn't feel".

"Antara tum kya kehne ki koshish kar rahi ho?" he asked. His voice was hopeful but cautious. He scooted a tiny bit closer to Antara and she took a deep breath, gathering her strength. Here I go. She closed her eyes, preparing to leap off of the cliff into uncharted waters.

"Raghu I'm in love with you", Antara managed to mumble.

For a moment, the whole world seemed to freeze. Antara could feel Raghu stiffen beside her and she automatically stiffened.

Oh my God. He doesn't love me. He's going to tell me he doesn't feel the same way. Oh my God this is-

Her internal suffering was cut short when she felt his warm hand entwine with hers. His other hand gently cupped her chin, lifting her head up to look at him. His sparkling brown eyes were blazing, like fire and he was grinning her favorite uneven grin. He looked at her, right in her eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Finally", he whispered. And then he crushed his lips to hers.

Antara could've laughed right then she was so relieved so excited and happy. Sure, she had jumped off the cliff but all she had found was a pair of warm arms to catch her. She felt joy bubbling inside of her and she just wanted to do a happy dance. But instead she just pressed her lips back against his. She reached her arms up around his neck and tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. Kissing him felt like magic, like passion. The hand cupping her chin moved to her neck and his other hand wrapped around her waist, holding her against him. She could've stayed there all day, every day, forever.

If it wasn't for the applause behind them.

At the sudden burst of noise they split apart. They both turned to his open door to see Rukhsana, Satya, Rajveer, Ishaan, Machmach and Nikita clapping and cheering, wide grins plastered on everyone's faces.

Raghu and Antara blushed fire engine red. Although, even though they had company, they couldn't wipe the goofy grin off their face.

"Yay", Rukhsana squealed. She ran in and tossed her arms around both of them. She seemed almost as happy about this as they were. "Hai Raghu bechari ko attack karna zaroori tha?" She teased.

"Mujhe toh laga ki Antara ne Raghu ko attack kiya" Rajveer laughed.

"You guys tum log yahan kyun aye ho?" Antars gasped. Why didn't she close that damn door?

"Hum sab is din ke liye kitne din se intezaar kar rahe hai. Ever since your first wedding". Machmach said.

Raghu and Antara were both blushing and looked around embarrassed. "Guys. Next time door toh band kar lena agar kise aur ne dekh liya hota toh kal tum dono ki shaadi ho rahi hoti". Laughed Ishaan.

"Okay, ab tum sab mere room se jao". Raghu announced. Rukhsana moved to grab Antara but Raghu quickly scooped her up in his arms, pulling her onto his lap. "Oye meri wifey ko toh chode dai". Raghu laughed.

"I'm so happy I could sing" Rukhsana sang as they left the room.

"Well that was embarassing", Antara sighed. "It could've been worse", Raghu said.

"How?" Antara mumbled. "They could've taken a picture", he grinned.

"Good Idea" Rukhsana shouted.

"Rukhsana chup kar ja", Antara yelled.

"No privacy", Raghu murmured. Then Antara was struck with a sudden inspiration.

"I know where we can go." she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him from the room. "Antara hum kaha jaa rahe hai?" he asked cautiously.

"You'll see" she sang. She dragged him down the stairs as fast as she could go without tripping. They ran, hand in hand, out of the front door and into Antara's huge backyard.

"Tumhara backyard?" Raghu laughed.

"Haha, chup karo. Atleast yaha koi ayga to nahi". She said leading him to the huge tree. She sat down beside it and pulled Raghu down with her.

It was almost dark as the sun went down.

"Antara, hum hamesha yaha hi aate hai, woh sabse pehle yaha hi dekhenge" Raghu said, a lopsided grin spreading over his face.

"Shut up. Jab koi ayga tab dekhenge na" Antara said.

Raghu smiled and layed down on the soft grass. Antara smiled and lay down beside him. Raghu pulled her closer to her body laying her head on his shoulder.

They stayed like that for a long time. Not really talking, just enjoying each other's presence. Eventually all signs of the sun were gone and the sky was littered with stars. Antara lifted her hand and gently traced a shape in the sky.

"It's a flower" she announced. Raghu grinned, rembering the old days. He held her close to him, gently kissing her forehead. "You know woh sab sach keha rahe thy" he said calmly.

"Who?" "Our families. Our friends" he replied.

"Kiske bare?" she asked curiously. He smiled at her.

"About how I've loved you for years. I was just waiting for you to realize it". He lightly tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting" she mumbled. "Mein kitni pagal hoon"

"Woh toh tum ho" he agreed with a laugh. Antara made a face at him. "But tum pagal hi perfect ho. Atleast tumhe pata to chal gaya. Mujhe toh laga ki tumhe shaadi ke mandap mai realize karoge". He poked her side.

"Raghu", Antara squealed.

"Antara" he said casually

"Yes? In case it wasn't clear", he began. "I love you too". And with that he brought his lips back to hers for one perfect kiss.