FF: One Mistake - Page 10

I looked up at the mansion which was my house. I checked my watch, everyone would be home. Perfect.

I had practised 5 times my speech and I told Ramu ,our servant, to call the whole family which includes my 3 brother's girlfriends also.

As they sat in their respective seats I closed my eyes and started.

"I met this girl Antara a month ago, we crossed the line. I don't know how. She called me up today and called me over. She is pregnant and lives alone so I'm getting her here in an hour an half. She wants the baby and even I want it, but I haven't told her. And that's all" said Raghu in one breath.

I looked at Satya, he was my 1st younger brother, he had his mouth open in a round O. Then there was Rukhsana Satya's fiance, who had the same reaction except an O, but the look of her face said she was shocked.

Then there was Aman with his girlfriend Surbhi, followed by Nikhil with his girlfriend, Ankita. At last, there were Mom and Dad.

Suddenly, out of no where, 3 hugs came my way and I fell over the sofa. I just couldn't believe this. Here I was tensed and my brother were congratulating me. They were followed by the girls who equally gave me hugs and then they came.

They were angry, I could see it, but then my dad patted my back and my mom caressed my cheek.

"Wait, Aren't you all shocked or something?" Raghu asked confusingly.

"Not at all, We're happy for you. You're going to be a father and we can leave aside the matter that you're not married. At least you moved on" replied Satya.

"Yeah Bro, I can finally see some shine in your eyes." Aman said.

"Oh My God, I'm going to be a Grandfather and you'll be a Grandmother Daya." said Ashok.

"Stop it Mr. Naik".

"Alright, I need a few favours. First of all, Please, and I plead on that, don't ask questions about that night. Secondly, Please don't make her feel uncomfortable and Last, just love her like you love me."

Suddenly the boys and girls started their aahs! and ohs!. I looked over at the watch, it was half past eight. I lived in a quiet spot as Mom prefered it so it would, at least take me half an hour to get there. After that, we'll eat somewhere and come home. That was a nice plan. "I'm finished and now, I'm going." After saying byes and telling what time I'll be home, I left my house and headed towards the city. As I predicted, it took me only half an hour to reach there and when I reached her building, she was already downstairs.

"I thought you would be upstairs." I whispered as I took her luggage. There were hardly 2 bags, but both were damn heavy. "I finished early" she said as she put on the belt in the car. "Alright Madam, where would you like to eat?" I asked her in a very gentlemanish way. She laughed as she replied.

"Lets go fast-food. We'll finish early and by the way, how did your family take it?" Antara asked in a very calm tone.

"Now that you ask me this, can I take it that you're asking me as a friend?" Raghu said in a mischevious tone.

"Yes, What did they say?" she asked again because she was getting impatient about does his family will accept her or not.

"You won't believe it, they were hugging and congratulating me. After Natasha..." I stopped short, this converstaion was going towards her.

"Natasha?...Umm..It's Ok if you don't want to talk about it." She held my hand as she said this and I knew, it was now or never.

"I think you have to know this. Natasha left me 5 years ago the night we were getting married and I couldn't take out her memories from my heart. That's why I was heavily drunk that night, It was the fifth anniversary of it." I looked down as I said it and felt Antara holding my hand even more tightly before releasing it gently. We had reached to McDonald's. It was the place I liked and, surprisingly Antara too. We ordered our food and sat on a table in a corner.

"Why were you at the bar?" he looked at her stiffen the moment the words came out of his mouth, but later she relaxed.

"It was my father's fifth death anniversary, he was my only and last living family." I held her hand now as she took deep breaths and calmed herself. Slowly, she finished eating and looked at me as I was a little slow in eating. After I finished my meal, I payed and we left towards the quiet area that surrounded my house.

The ride was short as the night traffic was not a problem. We reached my house and I saw Antara getting uncomfortable as she looked at it. I took her luggage and smiled at her. Before going in, I stopped.

"Antara, I know this is something drastic, but we can work this relationship out only if you agree and my parents don't know in details, how I met you and I can promise you that they won't ask you until you aren't ready."

"Raghu, I thought about that. If until my pregnancy is over, I know that I can spend my life with you. I promise you'll be the first person to know, but now I only want us to be friends."

"I accept it.

"Me too"

We laughed as we went inside. I took out my keys and opened the door only to see the whole family sitting, apparently waiting for us.

"You all couldn't sleep." I mumbled sarcastically. Mom walked towards us and stopped to see Antara. I could see it in her eyes, she was happy with my choice which ofcourse, was by mistake. "I'm Raghu's Mom." Antara kneeled down and took Mom's blessings which pleased Mom. Next, Dad came and introduced himself as well as everyone else. We proceeded to the hall and sat there when Mom said some things. "Antara, I know you're tired as well as we so we should all go to sleep. Raghu there are some changes. First, Aman and Nikhil have shifted upstairs occupying your room and the 1st guest room. Second, you and Antara will be sleeping downstairs in seperate rooms connected with a door incase Antara needs help. If Antara wants Rukhsana, Surbhi and Ankita can have turns to stay with Antara as they have themselves volunteered to do this, but I don't think that should be done as there are risks." She paused and looked at my 3 brothers. "And Last, Welcome Home Antara."

I looked at Antara, it looked as she was going to cry, but I saw her taking deep breaths. Everyone said Goodnight as my 3 brothers went to drop the 3 girls. Their homes were not far, but at 11 o'clock you could never trust anyone. I walked with Antara till her room and with a sudden movement I had, I kissed her forehead and said Goodnight to her.

Later, I lay in my room, I smiled. After many years of crying and thinking about Natasha, maybe finally there was a change in my boring life. As I turned on one side, I heard a sniff and a sob followed by a fast movement and, as expected, it was indeed coming from Antara's room. I put on a t-shirt and practically ran over and opened the connecting door.