Foresight

Chapter XXXXV

"Pallavi is pregnant with my baby."
The chappathi piece from Mr. Khuranna's hand drops on the table while Mrs. Khuranna just looks with her open eyes, both not being able to believe what Rajesh just said.
"I am sorry. I might have heard wrong. Did you just say Pallavi is pregnant?" his father asked, in a stern tone.
"Yes dad. I am the father. She is one month along" he replies. Mrs. khuranna is still speechless. She is feeling a wave of emotions. One side the feeling of she has become a grandma, and the fact that her son has become a father before marraige on the other side.  She reaches for the glass of water and gulps it down in one go. Wanting to speak, she looks at her husband before opening her mouth. Looking at his nostrils flaring up in anger, she knows its best to keep silent. Not uttering a single word, Mr. Khuranna gets up from the table and heads out.
"Ma. Say something ma. I am feeling scared now." Rajesh asks his mother, welling up.
"Speak to your father first. Then speak to me" is all she responds before taking her dinner to the kitchen, not uttering another word. Rajesh understands her words and gets up from the table. Dinner at the Khuranna household came to an abrupt stop. Rajesh paces around in his room, not knowing how will he face his father.
Mr. Khuranna was always proud of Rajesh and was never shy to show it to the world. Whenever Rajesh acheived anything, be it as big as clearing all his college years without any backlog or as small as a very good in dictation test in elementary school, Mr. Khuranna made sure that his entire family knew about. And with a big a pomp and show. He stood by Rajesh like a pillar in all his life. Even Rajesh's smoking and drinking habit was overlooked, for as long he was happy if Rajesh was happy. And now when hearing the news that his son is having a child out of wedlock, it pierced him. But the social stigma was not his biggest fear. His biggest fear was what if Rajesh does not keep up with the responsibilities, and backs out on Pallavi. So to clear his thoughts and take some calmness in, he makes his way to the terrace, taking in the coolness of the night.
"Dad" a feeble voice breaks the silence. Turning back, Mr. Khuranna finds his son, standing timidly few steps away. Mr. Khuranna just stares into his son's eyes, reading his son's emotions. Both of them don't speak a word, for several minutes. Rajesh decides to break the silence first.
"Dad, I found out Pallavi was pregnant a month ago. I didn't tell at that time because I wasn't ready for it. So I took some time. To stabilise and expand the business. But the expansion is on hold as of now. Also I needed to look for houses. I want to keep up the family tradition of becoming independant. I have looked and finalised the apartment dad." Rajesh blurts out. Mr. Khuranna still doesn't speak a word. Although the shock has not receded, but hearing Rajesh instill's some confidence in him, that his upbringing was not down the drain.
"Dad, please say something. I am not scared of becoming a father. I had the best father and I will strive my best to be atleast half of what you were to me. But I don't want my child to grow without it's grandparents." Rajesh speaks up, tears forming in his eyes. Mr. Khuranna stills stands his ground, not moving an inch, not opening his mouth. Rajesh makes his way closer to his dad, braving whatever beating he might get. His father was his pillar, but also gave proper beatings at times when Rajesh went overboard with mischief. And this being an ultimate mistake, he was expecting him to go livid and kick him out of the house. Instead of it, his father is just standing quiet, boring into his soul with his stare, making Rajesh uncomfortable to the core.
"Dad please say something. I can't take your silence anymore." Rajesh shouts, before breaking down.
"Promise me one thing." Mr. Khuranna's voice makes it way. Wiping his tears, Rajesh gulps down the lump in his throat.
"Yes dad"
"Promise that you will never leave Pallavi and will be beside her at all times"
"Yes dad. I will. Its my promise over my life" Rajesh replies. Listening to his reply, the truth and seriousness in his voice, Mr. Khuranna takes a deep breath and turns around. Looking at the stars, he speaks up.
"Son. Mistakes are a part of life. You are a young man. Some decsions, you might not think through, which will give rise to dire consequences. What defines us is at that moment how you react to the situation and resolve it."
Rajesh listens to his father in utter silence.
"I knew something was upsetting you for the past month. I could easily read that in your face. But I didn't want to poke my nose into your personal matter. So I kept quiet. Waited for the day when you will open it on your own. And today you did. Although I did not expect it to be this big, but I respect your guts to tell me and mom at this age, that too when you are still growing and not married." Mr. Khuranna flashes a small smile, turning his head a little towards Rajesh.
"As per the family tradition, you will have to move out son. Actually you should have moved a month ago, but the circumstances called for a dealy. And I understand that."Mr. Khuranna says, turning towards Rajesh.
"So do I have to pack my abgs and leave at this moment dad?" Rajesh asks his father.
"I am strict, but not a monster Rajesh. I dont want my son travelling to his apartment in the middle of the night and let his neighbours think that a burglar has come. You can stay the night. And you can take the week to move your stuff out slowly." Mr. Khuranna replies with a smile.
"Thank you dad" Rajesh replies, welling up again.
"Now now. Wipe your tears and come down. We will finish dinner" Mr. Khuranna replies in bit stern voice, extending his arms, gesturing his son to come into his arms. Rajesh races to his father's arms and locks into a tight embrace, crying out his heart.
"Thank you ..sob..for your support...sob... dad" Rajesh says in between his sobs.
"Its ok Rajesh. Congratulations on becoming father. And thank you for making me grandfather" Mr Khuranna whispers into his son's ears, welling up himself.
"Now come on. Lets go down and have dinner. Your mother is probably dancing in the excitement of becomg gradma." Mr. Khuranna chuckles.
"Probably dad" Rajesh replies, breaking away from the hug and wiping his eyes. They both go down, hands over their shoulders.
"Invite Pallavi for lunch tomorrow if possible. I would like to speak to her. She might be scared to death with all this and seperating you from the family and all" Mr. Khuranna replies, as they both enter the house.