239 They are happy for us
There were tears in her eyes.
Tears of happiness, tears of joy. Tears of knowing that someone in the world loves you so much that you had no idea about it. As she listened to him speak, her throat got all choked for there were no words with her that she could have used to tell how blessed she was feeling at that moment.
The man of few words was churning words after words in front of his team-mates for her. She couldn't have asked for more.
As he walked back to his seat and sat next to her, she kept looking at him.
"What?"
He asked softly.
"Nothing", she said shaking her head.
She then extended her hand under the table and twined her fingers with his, and said.
"I am happy. Really really happy".
He just heard her and didn't say a word. He gently pressed her hand back, transferring all the warmth of his body to hers. That was enough to make her understand how he felt.
Everyone just had a beer to celebrate but nobody wanted to ruin the moment by unleashing their crass cacophony by making an attempt at singing a song. They all were just contented after hearing Raymond speak those words.
"So tomorrow sharp at 8 o'clock, I expect everyone to be in the office. Clear?"
"Clear boss", they all shouted in unison.
Then the bill was paid and everyone got up to leave. Akira waited in front of the exit for Raymond to get the car back when Brian came up to her and said,
"I have never seen this man so happy. I have never seen him so vocal about anything related to his life. But with you, he is a changed person Akira. I hope it never changes and I hope you realize that".
Akira smiled back at Brian and said,
"I do and it never will".
Raymond arrived with the car and bidding Brian a good night Akira got in.
As he started the car, Akira looked at him and said,
"Can we go to the park near my house?"
"At this time?"
"Please? For me?"
"Are you like those girls who do midnight rituals dead in the night? You are scaring me out here?",
Raymond said and laughed while starting the car.
"Just drive", Akira said and pinched his arm with her fingers.
"Ouch, don't be so ruthless with your chauffeur".
Raymond parked his car in front of the park and before he could even ask her what she wanted, she came close to him and holding his hand she started crossing the road to reach the opposite side of the park where there was a cemetery. The place where her parents were buried.
"My parents need to meet you formally", she said while crossing the road.
All those images came back vividly into Raymond's mind like a rapid flashback. The way she cried, the way he had hugged her, the way she had hugged him back and the way he deserted her and left after she picked Vikram's call, and he felt like he had traveled back in time.
After reaching the place where her parents were buried, she knelt down and said,
"Mum, dad, look who is here".
"This is Raymond. I know you know him. He is the same guy who made me cry here long back. But don't be mad at him because I have fallen for him."
"Ok, I know he is a bit brash but he is the kindest person I have ever met. He saved me once risking his life and he keeps doing that again and again. Isn't that sweet?".
Then with her sleeves, she wiped the tombstone a bit and continued,
"I know I will stay happy with him, so I don't want you to worry about me anymore ok? Now he and Mike are my family and we will stay happy, just the way you want us to. I want you to know that even though there will always be a void in my heart which misses you, it's healing. He is healing it with his love."
"After you left me I didn't know if I could ever be happy, but with him, I think I can be. I think I am", saying that she looked up at him and then said,
"He proposed to me yesterday and I have said yes"
"Do not panic. I will complete my studies and then only marry him. Just wanted to let you guys know though. So I will leave you now because I know that you need a moment to cry seeing your daughter all grown up".
Saying that Akira got up and holding his arms she said,
"Now I can go home", and took a deep breath.
"But I have something to say".
"What tell me?"
"Not to you", Raymond said and taking a step ahead he knelt on the ground and took a deep breath and said,
"My name is Raymond J Walker. I never got the opportunity to formally introduce myself. My first impression wasn't a good one but I want to make my second one the best."
"I am in love with your daughter and I really want to thank you for bringing her into this world, because I can't imagine how my life would have been without her. She inspires me to live. I was a dead log before I met her. I just used to eat, drink and breathe. But she came into my life and gave it a meaning, a purpose to it and I would like that to be permanent".
"I didn't take your permission before dating her".
"I didn't even ask you guys before proposing her".
"But today I want your permission and blessings because I want to marry this girl and make her my own", saying that Raymond held Akira's hand and brought her forward and asked,
"What did they say?"
Looking deep into his eyes, she said,
"They said, they are happy for us".
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