Chapter 16: Chapter 16

*Anitha Pov*

“Why did you plan this outing if you didn’t even think about where will we be going?” Prathap asked her frowning as right now she is sitting in the back seat while still thinking about where to go.

“I was thinking more about meeting you guys and not about how to spend the time. Do you both have any idea?” She asked leaning forward to be closer to us.

“And you can call your friend too. Vikranth is busy but she can join us right.” She added looking at me and I stared at her in surprise.

Wasn’t she the one to act like Kanika and I were the whose presence wouldn’t matter and these three are the only important ones? Why is she suddenly fine about Kanika joining us?

I was already surprised that she invited me and I don’t want to spend time with her too with my present mindset but I don’t think I will be fine after letting these two spend time alone even as friends. And it is better to have a peaceful mind at least in the area of jealousy.

“It’s okay! She must be busy too.” I mumbled and she frowned hearing that.

“Okay!” she mumbled before glancing at Prathap who is sighing at his seat.

“Did you decide?” she asked and he frowned at her.

“What should I decide? We both will be fine with anything.” He replied glancing at me and I nodded accepting that.

“Fine! Let’s go to the water park.” She said smiling and he immediately shook his head.

“There will be too many people and she shouldn’t be at those places. Think of someplace where there will be not many people.” He said rejecting the idea and I smiled hearing that.

“Then movie?” she asked giving him a weird look after hearing those words.

“He doesn’t like watching movies much.” I pointed out and she turned to give me a weird look.

“If you both know so much about what the other person wants then just decided on something together.” Saying that she leaned back with an irritated look.

“Okay! Don’t get annoyed like that. Let’s go to some park.” He said smiling at her and tried to pacify her a bit.

“I am fine with it.” I added and he smiled looking at me.

“Park? What will we do there?” she asked frowning but he called someone and after sometime when he still didn’t start driving, I turned to stare at him.

“I asked Deepak to get some food items packed. Let’s have a small picnic.” He explained and turned to stare at her.

“You always liked going on picnics when we were kids, right?” he asked smiling at her and she sighed slowly nodded.

“When I was a kid and when we three were together.” She whispered and I stared at her as there was a pained look that passed for a second through her eyes before it completely disappeared.

“Is it okay if I join then?” I asked and she turned with a smile before nodding.

“Of course! I met a few celebrities for my work but I never got to know anyone personally.” She replied smiling and I finally smiled at her.

Maybe I was being too biased and thought everything she did as wrong because of Kanika and Prathap. Maybe I will move on from this thinking and even like her.

As there must be a reason for Prathap to fall for her and a reason for these three to be friends for more than two decades right.

After getting the food, Prathap started driving and after nearly two hours he stopped near a park because of the huge traffic and we all got down.

“I know we should not discuss your fake thing. So, I will think completely that you both are a couple.” Saying that she walked away.

“I can hear your heartbreak right now after listening to her words.” I said staring at him while he rolled his eyes.

“You should check your ears for hearing something that didn’t happen.” He mumbled circling his hand around my waist and my eyes widened at his gesture while he smiled widely.

“Looks like I am winning this time at the game of shocking others.” He whispered tugging me closer.

“Just a game?” I asked recovering from the shock to place my hand on his cheek and he opened his mouth before closing it.

“See? You can never win over me. I am way ahead from the beginning.” Saying that I patted his shoulder while he gave an annoyed look.

“What are you guys…” we both turned to find Shrishti who is looking at us with a wide look and he immediately dropped his hand which dropped my mood too.

“Find a good spot, Shrishti. We will get the food from the car.” He said clearing his throat and she slowly nodded before walking away and glanced at me.

However, I already turned to take one bag from the back seat and followed her. After finding a good place, he arranged the mat his manager passed along with food before we all sat down.

“So, I heard you will be shooting a movie soon. Are you excited?” She asked looking at me.

“Yeah! At present, I am reading the script and will soon meet the whole cast where we will discuss the script a bit and the shooting will start within a month mostly.” I explained and she nodded smiling.

“I will watch it first show if I am free that day but I will definitely watch it. I love watching movies unlike these both.” She said looking at Prathap with an annoyed look but there is affection behind it.

“He may have to watch this for sure because of articles and all.” I mumbled and he turned to stare at me with a widened look.

“That’s the best thing. But even Vikranth force himself to watch movies even though he doesn’t like it. I still don’t know why he started this entertainment agency when he is not even interested in movies.” She mumbled frowning.

“Because he is interested in making money.” Prathap said sighing and they continued to discuss their friend while I felt a bit awkward to be here at that moment.

However, I ignored their conversation to look around. Today is actually a good day for this picnic because of the weather and it’s been so long since I went on a picnic.

I guess last time was a few months back but that was for shooting. I smiled looking at other families and decided to bring Kanika here and have a wonderful picnic soon.

“Anny!” I turned hearing Shrishti’s voice and found them staring at me.

“What is it?” I asked looking at them with a frown.

“We were asking about Vikranth’s wife’s interest that is whether she likes watching movies but you didn’t hear us.” She explained.

“Why do you both never use her name?” I asked frowning at them as I always hear them mention as either Vikranth’s wife or Mrs. Vikranth.

They both paused hearing that question and turned to look at each other before turning to glance at me at the same time and they are twinning right now at a huge level with those expressions too.

“I guess we never got close to her and even Vikranth doesn’t use her name near us. I know we need to change that but we may need some time.” She replied and he nodded to her words.

“I don’t know why you both have such a wrong impression on her but I have never seen someone as friendly as her. She doesn’t stop helping anyone and always a step ahead to be there for them. She doesn’t like watching movies too but for my sake, she watched so many with me just to analyze the characters as a help for me. I really wish you both start stepping forward as she deserves everything.” I said looking at them and they both slowly smiled.

“She is lucky to have you as a friend. My friends would never praise me like that.” Prathap said shaking his head.

“Same here!” she retorted glaring at him while I sighed looking away.

When we started having food, I got startled when he suddenly lifting his fork to feed me a slice of apple he just cut for us.

He raised his eyebrow as if pointing it out and I smiled before shifting my hand to hold his hand and bite the apple while looking at him and laughed when he suddenly coughed at the bite he had earlier.

When Shrishti cleared her throat, he immediately took the fork away and his expression also disappeared before he turned to talk to her if she needs anything.

I guess I shouldn’t have come to this gathering after all. It would have been better to stay at the hotel and mind that they both are together alone instead of witnessing some reality with my own eyes.

*Prathap Pov*

“Do you like her?” I got startled hearing this question from Shrishti when Anitha left us to go for the washroom as we are about to leave the park.

“From the time we met today, you are acting differently which I never expected from you. Even now you are looking towards the direction where she just walked off with a worried look.” Shrishti continued when I didn’t say anything.

“I…” I trailed off not knowing what to say.

“I guess I should be happy that you finally like someone, right? Then why…” she trailed off with a frown and I frowned at the part she cut off her words.

“What?” I asked and she slowly shook her head before looking away.

“She is a celebrity and I am just running a restaurant.” I suddenly said and she turned to look at me with a serious look.

“Are you mad? You are my best friend and you actually started your business without anyone’s help. I actually started completely with Vikranth’s help unlike you who is taking his help just for an extension.” She pointed out in a serious tone and I smiled hearing those words.

She is very quick to point out the things I lack but if I ever feel down or someone else puts me down then she is ready to fight even me.

“Okay! Being your friend should be one of my achievements.” I said nodding and she rolled her eyes before checking the time.

“You said you need to go back for dinner time, right?” she asked and I nodded thinking why didn’t she return.

“I will go and check.” I said taking a step but stopped when we saw her rushing towards us.

“Sorry about that. Someone recognized me and I had to take a picture and also give an autograph.” She mumbled and took a bag from the floor.

“It must be tiring to do that all the time.” Shrishti commented while we three started walking towards my car.

“No! I still don’t think I did enough hard work and I feel really happy when someone says they are my fans.” She explained and I remember her happy look when Bharghav praised her and also that he is her fan.

****

After dropping Shrishti near her home, I drove us back to my restaurant but she suddenly asked me to take her back to the hotel she is staying in.

“But you said you will stay back to see me cooking tomorrow.” I pointed out after stopping the car at the side.

“I am tired! I want to go back to my room.” Saying that she stared outside and I stared at her for a second before driving her to the hotel.

She stayed silent throughout the journey and even at the end of the picnic. Did something happen?

“Wait!” I stopped her from getting down the car.

“Is something wrong, Anitha?” I asked and she sighed before turning to stare at me.

“Three years back I really liked you and I should call it as crush as I didn’t know much about you. However, for the past one year, I thought about you just a few times like reminiscing the past memories kind of moments. And I never thought of spending a second to like anyone else or show any interest because of my work. I don’t know why but after meeting you again and spending time with you, the crush I had is in danger of turning into a very serious feeling.” She didn’t pause for a second and I couldn’t say anything while listening to the things she is saying right now.

“I know about your crush and I understand everything else. But your actions made me feel the hope which I shouldn’t have if I had known any better. However, after today I don’t want to think about you in that way again.” She added with a serious look.

“What happened?” I asked her frowning.

“What happened?! You were doing all the actions which we both started sharing between us but the moment you remember your crush’s presence you started to feel guilty for behaving like that. Guilty? Are you serious? I am not forcing you here. And I don’t want to be some replacement just because I am fine with being the second choice if you ever like me in future.” She replied shaking her head before shifting her hand to unlock the door but I reached out to hold her hand.

“Wait for a second!” I whispered while processing what she just said as I know one thing that I don’t want her to leave with those thoughts in her head.

Was she right? Did I behave like that without realizing it? Maybe! I deserve her anger if I did when I wouldn’t be able to bear the same from someone.

“I am sorry!” I apologized and the fist she made relaxed a bit.

“I shouldn’t have done anything until I figured out my feelings or get closure from my crush. I know I told you everything about my crush and also how I expected to be with her but will be taking a break for now and will try again later after this fake scheme finished. But that is not the case anymore. I like her or maybe just liked her now. However, I don’t have a single thought to try to be with her later or anything. At present, as she is working hard to overcome her feelings for Vikranth, I am doing the same.” I explained staring at her and she stared back silently.

“But I will still be her friend for my whole life.” I added and she sighed finally relaxing her expression.

“I am not asking you to cut that friendship. I know the importance of friendship more than anyone and I am not that close-minded to feel worried about friendship and maybe I will during some moments but that’s just human nature. However, I don’t want you to think about me in any way other than just as a fake fiancé just because you don’t have a chance with her.” She explained and I nodded understanding her words and also felt good that she doesn’t mind our friendship.

“I don’t know whether I like you or not at present but all I know is that I am not behaving like this just because you are one who is at a reachable distance. I like knowing you and I like spending time with you. I like so many things that we already shared.” I said and she stared at me for a second before groaning.

“What is it? About my earlier behavior? I don’t know why I did that and you may be right but I will try to not do it again. I guess I need some time.” I added while she turned to stare at me.

“I am sorry! You never promised me anything but here I am acting as if you did and cheated me or something.” She mumbled and I smiled shaking my head.

“I did promise! I am not the type to kiss anyone like that and you are the first person I am being this physical too.” I pointed out and she stared at me with wide eyes.

“Okay! You won! You won at shocking me.” She whispered and I chuckled while she sighed turning her hand to hold my hand.

“Then, let’s take some time to think but I will be there tomorrow to see your full level of cooking.” She assured me and I nodded but didn’t leave her hand.

“I will go then.” She added smiling after a few minutes and I slowly nodded before releasing her hand and she stepped out of my car before going inside the hotel.