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Part 10
It was Sunday and as planned maan had brought antara to the game zone. He was looking forward to this meeting but was equally anxious as the future of their relation depends on this meeting. Maan saw geet getting down from escalator and walking towards them. He waved at her pointing at the table that he occupied while he went to get antara from the game booth where she was currently playing.
The gaming sector has come a long way, he could see antara doing some motions on the floor and her motions were depicted by the cartoon character in the game on screen. He shook his head, when he was a kid PlayStation IV was the most advanced gaming experience one could get.
"Papa my game was incomplete.
She pouted as he interrupted her precious princess game in mid.
"You can go again; first we have to meet someone.
She nodded in yes. They sat together on a table in the food court attached to the game zone as geet joined them. She looked pretty in dark green suit and hair open.
Geet smiled at maan as she sat in front of him and her eyes immediately went to cute little thing sitting on the table.
"You must be antara, right?
Antara looked at maan not sure whether to respond to the stranger or not. She looked really cute with eyes all wide staring at geet.
"Say hello.
Maan prompted her.
"Hi aunty you are papa's friend?
Geet frowned at maan just for a second then smiled again shaking little antara's outstretched hands.
"Yes, I am geet. I am your papa's friend but now I want to be friends with antara. Will you become friends with me?
Geet asked smiling however antara was thoughtful.
"What happened dear?
"You will come with me to my school?
Maan muffled his laugh while geet was confused what to answer.
"Why baby?
"My all friends come to school with me; we play and study, and eat tiffin together.
She replied cutely. Off course for her friend means going to school together and playing together. Geet smiled and pulled antara to her lap.
"Well no, I can't come to school with you but I'll play with you. So friends now?
Geet stretched her hands this time and antara shook her head in no.
"No... Why?
Geet was disappointed but next second laughed at angel's antics.
"Not like this... like this.
Antara stretched her little finger and held geet's little finger with hers and shook their hands.
"Now friends.
Then geet started to ask her questions about her routine and antara replying in her own cute way. Maan smiled looking at them talk easily without his interference. Honestly he's already started dreaming of a happy family in last couple of days. Now it just got better.
"Are you getting bored?
He was pulled out of thoughts by geet's next question. However when he looked down he realized that the question was for antara, who nodded in yes.
"Let's go to play games.
Geet suggested.
"No, first have something both of you.
Just then the order arrived, maan shrugged when geet looked at him questioningly.
"I ordered when you both were talking.
They ate pasta and sandwich and milkshakes.
"Papa burger?
Maan scratched his head; he wanted to refuse as she ate burger last week.
"They don't have any burger today, papa asked waiter. Haina?
Geet said promptly and looked at maan for confirmation.
"Yes sweety, we will eat burger next time okay.
"OK.
Antara said, though her face fell down in disappointment. Geet looked at maan feeling bad for disappointing her. Maan nodded assuring her.
"Hey geet did you see that new game at the end? It just came last week.
"No, I didn't see.
"Come we will go to play.
"No no no... I want to play new game.
"Okay but first finish your food.
They played with antara on couple counters. Maan and geet then walked a little away to talk as antara got busied in her advanced game, maan made sure that she was always in his eyesight.
"Thank you for helping me out, she's been asking for burger a lot these days.
Geet smiled and shook her head. In the process her hairs came on her face which she removed by her hand while maan stood mesmerized as a hint of fragrance from her shampoo hit him.
"Ek baat pucchu?
Maan straightened himself before he could lose more and nodded.
"Geet feel free to say what comes to your mind. You don't have to ask every time before saying or asking anything.
She nodded. She's been thinking whether to bring this point up or not, nut she can't resist her curiosity.
"Why did you tell antara that I am your friend?
"Aren't you?
He asked frowning at her while she was confused with his reply.
"Yes. . . yes I am. But... we... I... you know... I am going to be... I mean.
"What?
"You didn't tell her I am going to be her mom.
She said in one breath and a slight blush teased her cheeks at the thought. The words sounded strange even in her head. She didn't know if it was too presumptuous of her to ask that question already. Maan smiled at her words but didn't reply until she opened her eyes.
"But you didn't yet accept to marry me then how can I tell her already?
Her eyes opened wide in amusement as she was scandalized at his comments.
"When did I say no?
"I didn't say you said no. I said you didn't say yes yet. And Raj uncle won't let me marry you until you say yes.
She smiled. It was true, papa was so particular about her opinion. But...
"When did you even ask me a question for me to say Yes or No?
It was a reflex, she hadn't planned to say that to him. Her eyes opened wide in shock when she realized the implication of that sentence.
Maan smiled wide, he was amused at her change of pace; she was so subdued until now asking permission and all.
"Didn't I?
He asked with an amused smirk on his lips while geet both smiled and shied. Honestly she didn't expect much, she was just teasing him now as she overcame her own inhibitions.
"So, let's do it properly. After all I wouldn't like to disappoint... you.
He held her right hand and enclosed it in both of his and spoke looking at her eye.
"Geet! Will you marry me? Will you become my antara's mother?
She gasped at his direct proposal, her eyes widened all shocked. It wasn't anywhere romantic. No. they were near the gaming zone of the mall surrounded by kids and their parents. On the opposite side was food court and regular Sunday crowd on the tables spread around. It was regular, ordinary but very real.
She looked down immediately not able to hold his expectant gaze. Her cheeks felt suddenly warm and all thoughts left her brain. Well, she'd already agreed to this marriage but still saying that small 3 letter word was difficult.
"Geet.
Maan called her name as she pulled her hand next second and ran away from there fast. He shook his head and joined antara at the game booth giving geet some time to calm down.
Geet reached the washroom and saw herself in the mirror, one view at her own blush it only deepened on her cheeks and her breath felt heavy. She splashed water on her face wanting to wipe that red color off.
Wiping her face with tissue paper she stayed there taking couple of deep breaths contemplating his words as she came out and joined them again. She in all cases vowed not to meet maan's eyes ever again for this day.
"Look geet I won this teddy.
Antara pulled her kurti gaining her attention.
"Don't call her by name, she's elder to you.
Maan chided.
"But papa, I say all my friends by names.
Geet laughed silently at maan's plight as he rubbed his temple not knowing how to answer her innocent yet logical question.
"Let's go, it's late.
Geet interrupted before the conversation continued. She was a bit hurt too as maan wouldn't tell antara about their relation yet not even when she called her by name, nor did he explain when she asked rather diverted the question by...uh proposing! Maybe he's still unsure about marrying me?
Off course, he might be having many options and considering which would be the best one. But then why would he get her hopes up, dating around, making her meet antara and all those calls and messages and now the proposal? It didn't add up. Maybe she's thinking too much into it.
She didn't in her thoughts realize that they reached Maan's house.
"Wait for me, I'll leave antara with dadi.
The car started again but geet still didn't say anything. Maan probably knew she was shy with his open proposal. But as they drew further and he observed her, it seemed more like she was in thoughts. Something was troubling her. He played the whole day in his mind and then it came to him. Oh fish! She's insecure because he introduced her to antara as friend.
"Geet.
She was startled out of her thoughts. Maybe he'll ask again her answer. But why is he pressurizing her when he's not sure himself?
"I didn't tell antara yet because she's small.
"huh?
Geet was caught off guard, not expecting that conversation right now.
"I said I didn't tell antara yet to call you mom yet because she's small and impressionable. It's a complex situation and I don't want to tell her until things are official.
She sighed in relief. So it's just to protect antara from contingencies. That's fair. Smile slowly returned to her face.
"I gave your answer but you didn't give mine yet.
He said seeing her changed mood. When she still didn't reply he shook his head. They reached her house in silence. She got off the car and left without saying anything. So much wait for one word? It's a million dollar question maan.
When maan reached home, he found antara sitting with dadi telling her about her new friend geet. He was happy to see the delight on her face. He left her there, moved to his study to catch up with some work. He was satisfied by the happenings of the day.
Note: That's all I have for now. The story will move faster from this point on, but the updates will be slower.
Next: I'll try one before 10/05
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