Chapter 18: Chapter 18

*Prathap Pov*

“You are feeling sleepy.” She mumbled when I walked out of the washroom after a bath with hot water that made me so relax.

“I think so!” I said smiling at her while controlling my yawns and sat beside her on the bed where she is sitting down right now while staring at me.

She smiled taking hold of my hand and started slowly massaging my palm along with the fingers and I stared at her as she is concentrating seriously on my hands.

Why was I so stupid to not realize her feelings that day when she smiled so brightly at me and just connected with Vikranth?

Now, that will always be in our memories and I have to cringe every time that passes my mind for sure. I even talked about her talent in the wrong way as if Vikranth just favored him and even accused of her planning all this. Let’s not talk about how I cried about Shrishti’s engagement and everything else.

How can she like me even after all that? I thought while staring at her with a frown this time and she caught that when she glanced up.

“What is it? Is it uncomfortable? Shall I stop?” she asked and I shook my head in negative.

“Why do you like me? Why did you even at that time?” I asked voicing out my doubts and she chuckled hearing that question.

“Isn’t that the question everyone wishes to know the answer in their life?” she mumbled before giving a thoughtful look.

“At first, I fell for your charm. The way you handled the cooking and the way you rolled your sleeves. I still remember that so clearly and your voice with that smoke covering you a bit. That was an art.” She said nodding to herself while I took my hands away feeling embarrassed by the way she is describing me when I am not at all like that.

“Then I started looking for you whenever I came to the mall with my friend but found about you finally when I met your friend. I generally asked him about the video and who was it as I like him. He didn’t even look at me with a shocked look and gave out the details about you. So, I was even more hooked after knowing your name and also about your recent promotion at that time.” She added smiling.

“But of course I stopped thinking about you like that after that restaurant incident with Mr. Vikranth and just felt embarrassed to think that I was so crushing you for two years.” She sighed and I sighed back while nodding.

“Then I felt hesitant thinking you are engaged to Shrishti and felt relief after finding out it’s not you. That moment I thought maybe I should have just at least thought about someone else as I was still stuck with the crush I had on you.” She mumbled shaking her head.

“Then I got angry and disappointed and even acted rude which I never expected to. But then fell for you again after spending time with you.” She said shrugging at the end.

“And this time not just because of your charm but also because…” she trailed off smiling at me.

“Because of what?” I asked feeling mesmerized as always with the way she talks about her feelings as that is never done in my family or even between my friends.

“Because you were so cute.” She replied grinning and I rolled my eyes at that.

“I am not cute.” I mumbled looking away.

“You are! You just didn’t realize it as of now. But as I have far sight I found out earlier than everyone.” She stated and I smiled at the way she said that before turning to stare at her.

“Then don’t mind if I say you are too sexy.” I said smirking and without giving a shocked look she actually smirked back.

“I know! And that’s what even the fans say about me.” She said shrugging and I laughed at that.

“You always try to win, don’t you?” I asked while she took my hands back to massage again.

“You actually need not do it, you know? I used to do even more work while I was learning near my master.” I assured her which she completely ignored and didn’t stop her movements.

“So, why do you like your friend?” she asked without glancing at me.

“I just want to understand you more.” She added when I stayed silent.

“Maybe her innocence? And you must know that our three families are really close to each other and there will always be tensions at sometimes which she always pacify with her actions. Also from the time, we were kids she always supports whatever our decisions are without even knowing about them. And she never backs out from voicing out any of her issues or if she needs help or any support or even some comfort.” I mumbled slowly thinking about it.

“The main reason was I thought she is the one to understand me more than anyone after Vikranth but that was not correct which I recently found out.” I added remembering how she thought I was just awkward with women because of which I never went out on dates.

After hearing my reply she didn’t say anything and stayed silent but her actions didn’t stop. Was I stupid to be honest with her just now?

“I guess that was more of comfort like my life would have just flown naturally but with you…” I trailed off and finally, she shifted her head to stare at me.

“But with you, it’s kind of like a roller coaster ride in amusement parks. My emotions just go up and down and every time I can’t escape those.” I replied while she slowly smiled.

“You have to get down from the roller coaster at some point.” She pointed out and I took out one of my hands from her hold before placing it on her cheek.

“What if I don’t want to?” I asked and leaned closer to block whatever she was about to say by opening her mouth and kissed her shock away and wishing to kiss away her doubts one day without a single doubt in my heart.

“Are you with me just to kiss me?” she asked pushing me away after she was out of breath.

“Why can’t it be one of the reasons? You are with me because of my cuteness too. Isn’t kissing a better reason than cuteness?” I pointed out and she laughed staring at me.

“Your reasoning is also cute.” She mumbled pinching my cheeks.

“Now, go to sleep as you need to cook even tomorrow and I guess need to wake up earlier than normal days for preparations.” She added patting the bed.

“You will also sleep here, right?” I asked shifting back on the bed before turning to lay down and she nodded before shifting a bit still sitting and took my hands.

“Will you be comfortable to sleep in this attire?” I asked staring at her and she looked down.

“I chose a normal one today and it should be fine. Truth to be told I am of course comfortable in my nightdresses but I didn’t want to ask Keerthi to come here just for those.” She replied smiling.

“Even the last few times you were here, it must have been uncomfortable with those attires. Why don’t you keet a pair here?” I asked lifting my head with the help of freehand.

“That’s too fast to do. Aren’t you uncomfortable to have someone at your place whom you don’t know much about?” she asked staring at me.

“I should, right? Why don’t I feel uncomfortable when I actually took this place to stay away from everyone?” I asked back and she laughed hearing those questions.

“Are you seriously asking me that?” she shook her head and concentrated properly on my hand while leaning a bit.

“I used to do this all the time for Kanika. By the way, did you get the supplies I asked for Kanika?” she asked glancing at me.

“You will get them by next week.” I assured her and she nodded with an excited smile while I frowned thinking how can these both be friends.

I still get goosebumps while thinking about the first meeting with Vikranth’s wife. Maybe we really need to think carefully before approaching her again. She is part of the family and it doesn’t do anyone good to ignore her and she is also Anitha’s friend and not just Vikranth’s wife. So, I can’t be rude while not thinking about her presence like before to be considerate for Shrishti’s feelings.

Wait! Did I just think about my future actions because of Anitha? I thought staring at her face. Maybe it is more serious than I expected it to be.

With that thought, I shifted my hand to extend towards her body before circling her waist and pulled her closer while turning her body to lay on her side with her back facing me and my hand shifted from her waist to her neck as a pillow.

She stared at me with a shocked look when I shifted her but didn’t leave my hand and at present, she laid still in my arms while my other hand is still in her hold.

“You can do it comfortably now.” I whispered leaning closer before closing my eyes and smiled when she shifted to the hand that is as her pillow now to massage and I closed my hand on her stomach as it is free to move.

“Thank you!” I added pressing my lips to her cheek before drifting off into sleep with a smile and with no thought pressing on my mind.

*Anitha Pov*

“I am going downstairs. You can sleep for some more time and come downstairs for breakfast.” I can hear his voice when I shifted a bit feeling the movements in the room.

I cleared my mind to understand his words before slowly sitting up to stare at him buttoning his shirt.

“I will not come downstairs and don’t let anyone know that I am here except for the staff you trust. I don’t want yesterday’s incident to continue.” I mumbled the decision I made after deciding to stay back.

“You are not going to see me cooking?” he asked glancing at me.

“You can be just my personal chef whenever I want you to be and I need not watch you like yesterday just to see your cooking.” I pointed out while letting out a yawn.

“I will ask Keerthi to get me some food and leave after freshening up.” I added and he frowned hearing that.

“Why don’t you stay today also?” he asked and I stared at him with a smile.

“Yesterday, I was being too selfish to not leave this place to have a good sleep. But I need to go back to my place.” I replied getting up to walk towards the washroom with the brush set I always have in my bag and he gave a disappointed look.

“You were here for my bed? I thought you were here for me.” He mumbled when I passed him.

“Maybe!” I whispered entering the washroom and finished brushing my teeth before stepping out only to find him still waiting for me.

“You are not leaving?” I asked while arranging the brush on the table to let them dry and felt his hand pulling me back into his arms.

“Really for my bed?” he asked and I smiled at the sad tone he is trying to use.

“No! It’s because of you. Happy?” I asked turning around and he nodded smiling.

“You are lying!” he mumbled and I chuckled but stopped when he pulled me closer without leaving any space between us.

“Stay for today! I like knowing that you are here.” He admitted and I stared at him for a second in a daze before thinking about his request.

“You need to massage my hands tonight too.” He added and I stared at him in surprise.

“Where did night come from? Even if I stay, I will go back in the evening, right?” I asked frowning.

“No! You will go tomorrow morning if you have to.” He replied and that moment I nodded without thinking for another second.

I definitely have questions about what is actually going on between us and after knowing his feelings towards his friend, the questions intensified but it’s like I want to go deep into this mess even though there is no clarity. Is this want Kanika warned me about?

“And don’t ask your manager to bring anything from outside. I will pack and pass it to her when she reaches the place. Are you going to let others make money when I am running a restaurant here?” he asked frowning.

“Fine!” I replied while sighing at his way of thinking as it is also cute.

“Don’t think I am cute.” Saying that he pressed his lips to my cheek before letting me go while I stared at him in shock for knowing my thoughts like that.

“What? I think I am finally understanding your expressions a bit by bit. I think I am obsessed with the thought about your expressions.” He confessed before leaving the flat while I sat down on the bed with my heart fluttering.

Why am I so happy to know he thinks about my expressions and to understand the meaning behind it? Why is he making me fall more for him like this?

I took out my phone to message Keerthi to bring two sets of clothes and with an evil smile added another set of clothes.

****

“You are actually comfortable here to stay for another day?” Keerthi asked the moment she looked around the flat.

“It feels like a home, right?” I asked smiling at her and she smiled seeing my expression.

“I told you to date him but don’t be so involved with your first relationship like this. Don’t forget the uncertainties, Anny.” She said holding my hand and I slowly nodded.

I also know the uncertainties but I want to be happy right now and my heart is blocking those from entering even though my mind is pointing them out from time to time.

“When I have Kanika and you, why should I fear? So, are you enjoying the time you are spending with your family? You must have missed them after spending a year with me abroad.” I asked and she sighed.

“They all already have a life without us and it feels a bit awkward and mainly his parents. My parents are also the same awkwardness whenever I am visiting them. It’s like we are guests now. So, we both are staying at our place we took for rent and spending time.” She replied and I smiled at her explanation.

“They just need some time. It’s just nearly three months since you shifted, right?” I pointed out and she nodded smiling.

“You remember to check the houses I sent the links for today and also about cast meeting next week, right?” she asked changing the topic by becoming a professional manager instead of my friend.

“Yes! I remember and I will check them.” I replied nodding sincerely and she nodded before looking around.

“You guys are using the same bed? I don’t think this couch will be comfortable for anyone. I don’t want you to have any neck pain or back pain by sleeping here as you will be very busy soon and will have more strain.” She said patting the couch.

“Yes! We are sharing the same bed.” She smiled but her expression turned serious after a second.

“Don’t even think about getting pregnant. You signed the contracts and also this is not a serious relationship for now.” She added while talking both as my manager and friend.

“Stop it!” I mumbled looking away and she rolled her eyes.

“You are not a kid to feel shy about this matter. You are twenty-six and in love.” She shrugged when I stared at her after hearing those words.

“I have that much common sense.” I assured her but she shook her head.

“We can’t be so sure about everything. So, don’t take it lightly. And I brought your clothes today, remember?” she pointed out.

“That was just… just like that.” I assured her and changed the topic to the details of the shooting dates.

“There is outdoor shooting too, right? The dates will change later?” I asked remembering that part and she shrugged.

“It depends! I will go then and don’t forget to control your diet.” She added before leaving and I finally opened the box he sent with her to see a heavy breakfast he packed and also added juice in a takeaway cup.

If I had opened this here when she was still here then she would have dragged me back to my hotel room for sure. Should I eat this or not?

But it looks so delicious and I don’t want to waste it. I messaged him to send a light meal for lunch before finishing the box within a few minutes as if I am starving even though I had heavy meals yesterday during lunch and dinner.

So, I finally found an important disadvantage to be with him. My diet plan will enter the drainage if I stay here leisurely and have the food he prepares.

****

“You don’t want to stay here anymore because of that?” he asked looking at me with a shocked look when he entered the flat to have dinner with me after finishing his work.

“Of course! I am not starving myself with my diet plan for you to stare at me like that but I can’t eat like this every day.” I replied with a serious look while trying to not laugh at his expression.

He is staring at me with disbelief and paused to take another bite from the tray he brought up for us.

“Fine! I will prepare just healthy food from tomorrow onwards and you need not eat this.” He assured me before pulling the tray to his side and I pulled it back to place it between us as we are sitting on the floor right now and the tray placed on the coffee table.

“I am eating this and I am going back to my plan from tomorrow and not today.” I said taking a bite from the delicious pasta he prepared specially for me as I talked to him about that once during some conversation when he asked about my favorite foods.

“Fine!” he mumbled smiling and I smiled back while enjoying the food a bite after bite without thinking about the time.

Even though I got used to eating slowly because of him, the people with me used to complain about wasting time but he will not mind at all as he is also same.

“You know, I used to get so angry whenever the others just finish the food without enjoying the effort it took to prepare it. But looking at you eating is like an eye feast for me. That’s why I want to make you eat everything I prepare.” He smiled staring at me and I coughed hearing those words.

I had to drink some water before calming down with the food stuck in my throat after hearing those words.

“Are you okay now?” he asked enjoying my reaction while I glared at him.

Just wait! Wait until you see what I prepared for you! I thought with an evil smile and his smile slipped seeing it but I didn’t say anything.

“By the way, are you free the day after tomorrow evening?” he asked

“Why? Are we going on our first date because I watched you cooking yesterday?” I asked remembering his words.

“I remember that but this is for a party. It’s my Dad’s birthday and my Mom called me to come there with you. I was mad at her for not coming for the opening ceremony but I don’t want to trouble her along with my dad.” He explained and I understand that he doesn’t want to go but wants to go because of his Mom.

We never discussed with plain words much about his issues with his Dad but it is already clear from the details on the contract. He wants to follow his dream while his Dad wants him to work for the company and of course, the middle person has to suffer.

“Is it really fine if I come?” I asked looking at him.

“Of course! My Mom doesn’t know about the matter and thinks you are my fiancé and is even confused about it. So, that’s maybe the reason for her to ask for you specially.” He replied and I frowned thinking whether I should go or not.

“What if she finds out?” I asked staring at the plate.

“I don’t think so! Just be yourself and it is just a family gathering and only Vikranth and Shrishti’s family will be there and even your friend.” He replied.

“So, you will be mentioning her as my friend now instead of Mr. Vikranth’s wife or Mrs. Vikranth?” I asked changing the topic.

“I will try to understand her. I need some time I guess.” He replied and I nodded smiling.

“Okay! I will be there and will act as your fiancé.” I said and he shook his head.

“You can just be yourself as my… my lover I guess.” He mumbled and I leaned back to stare at him.

“Lover?” I asked raising my eyebrow.

“Then my friend?” he asked frowning.

“Do friends kiss these days?” I asked and he sighed before returning to have his food and I chuckled.

“I will be like your lover then.” I replied and enjoyed the food while thinking about the party rather than the plan I made.

“What? Is something wrong?” I asked stepping out of the washroom as he stared at me with wide eyes.

“You asked me to keep a pair of nightdresses to be comfortable. So, I asked Keerthi to get one for me.” I explained walking towards the bed and applied the moisturizer on my hands and face which I made her bring along with other essentials.

“I should have known.” He mumbled laying back on the bed before placing his hand over his eyes while I finally smiled as I got the effect I will.

“Let’s sleep!” I mumbled laying beside him and thought he will just stay there but he suddenly turned to place his hand over my waist and pulled me closer still with his closed eyes before drifting off into sleep and I followed him after getting over my shock.