Foresight

Chapter XXXXIV

"This is a great apartment Rajesh" Mr. Sharma tells as he makes his way into the apartment, escorting Rajesh in. They make their way into the living room, painted in suede, with a full length sliding window with a small balcony. Rajesh steps into the balcony and visualizes him and Pallavi having their sunday morning coffee, having a few laughs. The sight brings a smile into his face.
"Lets check out the rest of the flat Rajesh" Mr. Sharma suggests him, leading him to the bedroom. Rajesh takes a lot of pictures of the apartment, to send them to Pallavi later. The flat seems really spacious and cozy for them. And adding to the fact, its closer to Rajesh's office, making it a perfect choice for a start.
"How much is the rent Mr. Sharma." Rajesh asks the obvious question, gulping the lump in his throat.
"You may be thinking its huge. Fortunately its not. The owner is a succesful businessman, with many other streams of income. So he has fixed a reasonable rent for this apartment. Its ?5500/- a month. The utilties are seperate." Mr. Sharma explains.
"That is very good Mr. Sharma. How is the availability? Like how long do I have to wait before the apartment is available? How are we looking at the deposit?" Rajesh starts bombarding the questions. Mr. Sharma chuckles, seeing the boy's excitement.
"Easy Rajesh. The apartment is available now itself. Most people think that such a nice apartment with such a low rent amount is too good to be true, which is not. As for the deposit, the owner is looking at 10 months rent which is refundable at the time of vacating. You show the apartment pictures to the concerned persons and get back to me. Here, this is the owner's contact info. You can speak with him." Mr. Sharma tells him, handing him a card.
"Thank you Mr. Sharma." Rajesh speaks up, taking the card from him and putting it in his pocket. As they head to the door,the possibility of Mr. Sharma discussing this matter with his father comes in to his mind.
"Mr. Sharma, I would really appreciate, if we keep this matter in the dark from my father." he request's him.
"Dont worry Rajesh. I don't discuss client business outside. And I have known you from young. You are not the boy to roam with the wrong kind of people." Mr. Sharma assure him.
"Thank you Mr. Sharma. I appreciate this help a lot" Rajesh replies, as they both head down the stairs, to their respective vehicles. He sends the pictures to Pallavi, hoping a positive response from her. He then heads to his office, as Neeraj and Tarun would be livid with him. The rest of the day goes uneventful, other than some strategy meets in between, with the interns.
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"Hi guys" Pallavi's head pops in.
"Hi Pallavi. been long time since you dropped by" Neeraj greets her. Tarun, as usual has his headphones on, blaring with music, oblivious of Pallav's existence, or for the matter the existence of anything around him.
"I know. I have been little busy in the past days" Pallavi replies, her eyes searching for Rajesh. Neeraj throws a paper ball at Trun to get his attention. Sure it does, also awakening the beast inside, as he jumps up, almost cursing, stopping as he sees Pallavi's smiling face.
"Oh hi Pallavi. Haven't seen you around in long. How are you" he asks, not before throwing another paperball towards Neeraj, who avoids it by ducking and flashes a smirk.
"Hey Pallavi. How are you?" Rajesh greets her, stepping out of the washroom.
"Hi Rajesh" she greets him back in a normal way.
"I need a tea man. You want one Rajesh?" Tarun asks, as he grabs his wallet.
"Naah man. I am good." Rajesh replies.
"I will join you." Neeraj replies, tagging along Tarun as they head for the door. As soon as they both are out, Rajesh swoops Pallavi bridal style and sits her in his chair. Rolling he towards him, he kneels down before her, flashing a ear to ear grin.
"What are you grinning about?" Pallavi asks him, cupping his face.
"The moment you said finalised the house, I finished every formalities. Even got the keys." he tells, fishing the keys from his bag and dangles it in fornt of her.
"Oh my god Rajesh. Why such a hurry. We could have taken time and did it more relaxingly." she complains him, though she is also equally happy that everything moved in such a good pace.
"I didn't want to prolong too much. I feel guilty as such that I have not been personally taking care of you and our baby. So I didn't want to waste any more time."
"That is ok. So when are you planning to move in together?"
"At the earliest. First I need to tell these guys. Let them come back from tea. I will let the cat out." Rajesh tells her.
"Incoming" comes a loud voice, as Tarun howls at the top of his lungs before entering the office.
"Dude...Don't shout like a madman. People will think animals work here" Rajesh snaps at him.
"I would take that anyday over seeing something I don't want to be seeing" he replies, winking at Pallavi.
"Haha. Ok settle down guys. I want to tel you something" Rajesh announces as he steps behind Pallavi. Neeraj and Tarun look earnestly at him, with Tarun lighting up a cigarette. Rajesh slowly moves his hand towards Pallavi's stomach and rolls his hand, witha smile in his face.
"Ohh....ohhh" Taurn stammer's, not being able to get out the words. toget him back on track, Neeraj, smacks him in the head, which brings Tarun to senses.
"Are you pregnant Pallavi?" Tarun asks the question.
"Yes. 1 month" she answers with a big grin.
"My boy finally hit puberty." Neeraj exclaims, proceeding to Rajesh, to give him an congratulatory hug.
They hug it out, as Tarun gives Pallavi a friendly hug, with Neeraj followin suit.
"So how are you guys going to manage? I mean at this stage, Pallavi cannot stay at her hostel for too long. You got to move in with her" Tarun bombards his opinions.
"Easy dude. I have got a flat on rent. I saw ths morning and finalised this afternoon. I will tell my parents and move out" Rajesh explains his next course of actions.
"Whoa. You are going to tell your parents. How will that go about?" Neeraj interrupts.
"My father will drive me out of the house. Respectfully obviously. That is why I waited this long. To finalise the apartment and everything." Rajesh explains.
"Well if anything is required give me a call. We will come to rescue buddy" Tarun says, putting his hand over Rajesh's shoulder.
"Thanks guys. It means a lot" Rajesh replies, almost welling up.
"Its ok dude. You can cry. You are a father now" Neeraj comments, playfully punching Rajesh in his stomach.
"Come on guys lets leave. Its getting late. I have to drop Pallavi and get back and break the news." Rajesh suggests, grabbing his bag. They head for the door, Neeraj and Tarun towards their houses, Rajesh heading with Pallavi to her hostel. The drive to her hostel is a silent one, with Pallvi gripping Rajesh tightly. As she gets down at her hostel, Rajesh holds her hand.
"Honey, whatever happens tonight, I will always be there to support you. I love you" Rajesh syas, planting a small kiss on her forehead, which brings a smile in her face.
"I love you too Rajesh. Let me know how it goes." Pallavi replies, reciprocating his kiss with her own on his cheeks. Rajesh turns aroud and races home, for he doesn't know how his father might react. He needed to have time, if his father drives him out of the home at that moment itself.
'I don't think dad will be that mad. He has always been supportive of me. And I don't have to worry about mom at all. For all I know she will be happy that she is becoming a gradma' he contemplates as parks his bike downstairs. He heads upstairs and enters his home, just in time for dinner.
"Thank god. For once Rajesh has come in time for dinner. Freshen up and come for dinner." his mother orders.
"Yeah" Rajesh replies, going into his room. 15 minutes later the Khuranna famils has sat for dinner, with Rajesh being nervous like never before. And why won't he be. Sitting on the table is a 24 year old boy, about to tell his father that his 28 year old girlfriend is pregnant.
"Rajesh what is wrong? You are looking nervous. Whatever it is tell us. We will help" his father tells him.
"Yeah dad. I wanted to tell something." Rajesh starts up the confession, gulping down the lump in his throat.
"What is it?" his mother asks with a concerned look. Rajesh looks at both his parents, both waiting for him to break the news. Taking a deep breath, Rajesh gets ready.
"Pallavi is pregnant with my baby."