It was raining too heavily for any human to have gone out. A wet October night was out of the option but just like people say, love conquers all. Tedd sat at the corner of the restaurant waiting for someone who seems to have forgotten that he even exists. He checked his wristwatch every passing minute but it was like he was waiting forever. In his waiting moment,he went back to the memories of his life in the past months.
Raine showed up like a thunderstorm and now he is a captive of love. He smiled at his helpless self. He couldn't fight love,better still,fate.
He had met her at a cinema when she sat right beside him. Her long and full coppery hair claimed his attention than the Oscar winners he had came to watch. They bumped into each other weeks again at a coffee shop where they talked for an hour and exchanged contacts. Since then, it's been a happy love story until now when he jolted from his subconscious state to see a smiling Raine standing in his front.
"It's not funny. I have been sitting here over three hours and you are just coming only to be smiling?", Tedd flared. Raine pulled out a seat and helped herself. She looked at him calmly trying to find answers in his eyes.
" The best you could have just done was to have offered me a seat, Tedd. This is not you ", Raine reacted calmly.
Tedd took a deep breath.
" The best you could now is to tell me why we have to meet. You sounded happy on the phone"
"Maybe I'm even happier now". Raine gave her best smile and her smile discomforted Tedd. Tedd spoke up eagerly.
" What's the bad news?". Raine gave him a very hard look.
"I'm no carrier of bad news, Tedd!"
"Alright, why are we here?". Raine swallowed hard.
" We are here because you would soon be a father", She finally dropped the bombshell. Tedd didn't want to believe.
"Don't tell me ...". Raine cut him short in a simple attempt to help him complete the statement.
" I'm pregnant, Tedd. I'd be a mother in seven months".
"And you are happy?", Tedd retorted. Raine narrowed her eyes.
"Tedd, don't be sarcastic. We are going to be parents soon and you are asking if I'm happy. Of course,I am". Tedd looked at her deeply and straightened his face.
" Look Raine, we are not ready to be parents soon. You are in your third year in college and I just finished my internship exams. We are not prepared for this, Raine "
"All I need you to do Tedd,is to accept responsibility. Let people know that you are the father of my unborn child", Raine pleaded. Tedd felt a hole in his heart. He was divided against himself.
"Raine, accepting responsibility is too dangerous for me at this time. We are too young to get married and become parents now. We need to get hold of ourselves financially, psychologically and socially. I hope you understand, Raine", Tedd explained. Raine gave her best smile.
"Of course I do. I understand that I was too young and naive to allow you fool me. I understand the fact that you have only loved my body and not me. I understand the fact that...". She broke into tears. Tedd moved close to her to console her. Raine struggled away from his grip. Raine stood up and looked him in the face.
" Tedd,you don't have to worry about me. I'll drop out of college to nurture my unborn child and make it feel the true essence of a mother's love. It would have a father that would be proud to have her and not a jerk like you. I hope you would respect my last wish. Our paths must not cross again " Tedd held her back.
"I'm sorry, Raine. I thought you should understand"
"I do. That's why I'm leaving. Since you do not need a baby, then you don't need me. Let me take my leave". Tedd left her and she took a majestic stride out of the restaurant. Tedd hated himself. He just gave up the most important person in his life. It was a matter of indecision, not sure if what he wants.
Damn!!!!!
****
" He didn't accept the baby? That guy is a freak ", Isha retorted as Raine explained everything to her. Raine rested on the couch.
" Isha, Tedd is a bad news. Let's decide on what to do now. Mum and Dad must not get to know", Raine said impatiently. Isha took a deep breath.
"I'm sure Lena won't take it easy with you. Edwards is a bit easier to manipulate", she confirmed. Raine sat upright.
" I need to think very fast". Isha went to the kitchen to check her pastries.
"I wish I could be here until you deliver the baby. You know I leave for my fatherland in two weeks", Isha said as she returned with a bowl of pastries. Raine glowed like someone who had been kept in the dark all her life and was opportuned to hold a candle.
" I found the solution, Isha", she exclaimed.
"What's that?"
"India"
"India?"
"Yes, Isha. All I have to do is to tell Lena and Edwards that I have to be at India for a field research work and that settles it", Raine explained.
" Brainy thought, Raine. Won't it affect your studies?", Isha asked. Raine smiled.
"Aren't there colleges in India? I'll take a transfer from my Dean at St. Hilda's", she replied perfectly. Isha beamed with happiness.
"You remind of our high school days. Intelligent Raine Downs. Come lend an helping hand here,will you?", Isha called out as she left for the kitchen. Raine hesitated.
" I'm pregnant. I might feel irritated ", she said after so much thought. They both laughed until Isha jolted back into reality.
" How will you convince your parents to allow you come with me to India?. You know how much they love to see you around them",she asked Raine.
"Forget Lena and Edwards. Convincing them is no hard work. The hard work is how to get my travelling documents ready in two weeks", Raine replied.
" That's no hard work too. Uncle Devraj should be of so much help. He's a nice man", Isha assured. Raine looked at her and smiled at her.
"You're such a darling, Isha. I love you", Raine said. Isha blushed.
" Actually, you are very lucky to have me". They both smiled at each other and spent the rest of the day trying new continental dishes. For Raine, it was time to be a real mum.
