Chapter 19: Chapter 19

*Prathap Pov*

I opened my eyes hearing the alarm for the second time and found her sleeping face lying beside mine.

I don’t know how can she be this comfortable with me but yesterday night I thought I am watching some magazine cover or something instead of her just casually walking towards the bed from the washroom.

Does she really wear these types generally or is it just to tease me? But if it is really for every day then every time I think about this will be nothing short of a heart attack as even though she is fully covered, I still remember her stance from the night.

I shifted my eyes away from her face to the collarbone which is not at all covered because of just a single strap over her shoulder and the neckline also seems special.

Without thinking much, my hand shifted a bit caressing her back and I know the cloth is called satin as Mom used to ask me how her scarfs are and always talk about the type of cloth.

Yesterday, I couldn’t think about anything and just concentrated on sleeping but why am I thinking so much in the morning.

“What are you doing?” she whispered with her eyes still not opened and my hand paused.

“Do you really wear these every night?” I asked and she nodded in her sleep while her lips lifted at the corners.

“Why are you so comfortable with me?” I asked and pressed her face more to the pillow to adjust a bit.

“Because it’s you!” she replied and somehow that hit me somewhere.

I leaned to her a bit to kiss her cheek and it shifted a bit because of her smile while I pulled her completely into my arms and she didn’t resist.

“Aren’t you going to be late? You said you need to go to the market with Bharghav?” she mumbled with her face pressed to my neck.

“I need to go.” I said remembering the alarm and extra ones that already rang.

“Go and freshen up. I need to have a word with Bharghav too about something.” She said sighing and I released her when she patted my hand.

After I got ready, she did the same and started packing the things she got her manager to bring while I stared at her moving around.

“Why don’t you keep them here?” I asked without stopping my mind.

“What do you mean?” she asked staring at me as right now she is sitting on the bed to pack the ones she placed on the nightstand.

“I mean, just let them be here.” I replied this time not hesitating but actually sure about it and she turned to stare at my face.

I don’t know what she saw on my face but she slowly nodded before placing them back on the nightstand while I stared at her actions in satisfaction.

We both climbed down the stairs and found Bharghav waiting for me near my car and stared at her in surprise and smiled brightly at her.

“Is it fine if I come with you guys? He will drop me on the way before you guys go to the market.” She asked looking at him and he nodded before opening the back door for her.

He sat beside me and started talking to her after she asked, “So, tell me the details of your plan.”

“It’s not a huge work at all. You just need to taste a few foods on live and explain the things you felt while tasting them. Your fans will know you more while even the restaurant gets needed promotion.” He explained and I stared at him in surprise.

“Don’t do that! She has her work and you shouldn’t compel someone.” I pointed out but they both completely ignored me.

“Okay! I will ask Mr. Vikranth once and let you know.” She replied and I stared at her through the rear-view mirror but she looks comfortable while saying those words.

She waved after getting down from the car and I waved back but Bharghav blocked me to wave at her and she chuckled before walking inside the hotel.

“It must be costly to stay here like this. Why is she not shifting to a flat taking it for rent? Is she planning to go back abroad after the shooting?” he asked when I started driving us to the market.

“But she can’t take any flat for rent I guess. I think it is still better to shift to a place rather than spending money on the hotel room like this where you can’t even have the home feel.” He added sighing while I frowned thinking about his words at a serious level even after he changed the topic to the special dish he will be preparing today.

****

“Shall I come up? I just reached the hotel.” I asked calling her as today we need to go to my parent’s place for the party.

“Please come up! Keerthi is shouting at me.” She replied in a whisper and parked the car before walking inside and followed her instructions to reach her room.

She opened the door the moment I rang the bell and gave me a relief look before gesturing inside and I found her manager standing away from her with an angry look covering her face.

“What’s the matter?” I asked when I stepped inside and her manager sighed at me with a tired look and her anger just drained.

“She is not looking at the houses as promised because of which I let her stay at your place, Mr. Prathap. She needs to move to another place soon. It’s been like three months already and she even wants to settle in this city. She can’t forever be in the hotel room while wasting the money like this, right?” she ranted without pausing for a second while Anitha stood beside me while looking at the carpet on the floor.

“Then what about renting a flat?” I asked looking at her and she slowly nodded.

“So, shall I search for a flat? But you need to be really careful and not talk to anyone there.” Her manager asked.

“Okay! Search for it I guess.” Anitha replied before holding my hand and started turning around to leave after taking a bag from the chair we passed.

“You need to be serious about this.” I can hear her voice even though we both already stepped out of the room.

“Thanks for that suggestion and now she will be busy while searching for a suitable flat.” She said while using the seat belt.

“You don’t want to shift to a flat also?” I asked frowning and started to drive us towards my parent’s place.

“Because this is a hotel, I don’t care about anything but if I stay at any rented place then I am sure I will try to change everything as per my way and in the end, I wouldn’t be able to leave that place. Maybe I will shift if there will be a place I really want to shift to and it will depend on her.” She explained smiling.

“And it will take time as she will be busy with me this weekend onwards. Even I don’t want to stay here but for now, this is best.” She added shrugging while I shook my head.

“There will be some solution soon.” I assured her and she nodded while taking a deep breath.

“Why am I so nervous? I am just going to meet them as your lover but my hands are sweating.” She mumbled rubbing her hands.

“Why don’t we change the term?” I asked smiling at her actions.

“What term?” she asked turning towards me.

“Lover seems to be too much. Just be my girlfriend for now.” I replied and waited for her reaction but she didn’t pause for a bit.

“No! You never asked me to be your girlfriend and lover is better with no definite feelings in a mutual sense.” She said and I stayed silent after hearing those words.

“What happened?” she asked after we reached the place and I turned to stare at her.

“Aren’t you upset with the way I am not confessing anything but still sticking to you like this?” I asked in a serious tone while she smiled.

“No! At present, I am blind to all logic and anything that is supposed to be followed. I am just doing what I want to and ignoring everything else. I am sure I will open my eyes and may even start demanding or even upsetting both of us but for now, I am not at all upset.” She assured me unlocking the seat belt.

“And I never was this impulsive regarding something. So, if you feel guilty or something then just think I am using you as a practical study.” She added while I rolled my eyes.

“Sure! Sure! I am glad to be your practical study.” I mumbled getting out of my car and she stepped out before taking out the bag from the back seat.

“Wait! Is this for my Dad? I thought you were bringing a set of clothes to stay at my place today.” I asked frowning and she shook her head.

“I like staying at your place and also sleep on that bed. But even I am not that thoughtless to disturb you like that.” She replied before removing her coat to show the gown she is wearing which is simple but elegant and started taking steps towards the building while I didn’t move.

“It is not a disturbance at all.” I mumbled but she couldn’t hear me and turned to stare at me.

“It’s your house and I need you to take me inside.” She pointed out and I nodded reaching her before placing her hand on my elbow to walk towards the steps we need to climb.

“The design is really good.” She asked looking at the outer structure and I slowly nodded.

My Mom spent too much to hire a top architecture saying a home will be there forever even for the next generations and so it needs to be perfect and my Dad fo course listened to her and worked hard to let her spend money on this house.

I remember we couldn’t even buy furniture after building this house for a few months as GH was still at the starting stage and Vikranth’s Dad helped us after scolding my Dad for not saving money.

“It has a history of our lives.” I mumbled and she gave a curious look at me but we already reached the door and I nodded at the helper waiting there to welcome the guests.

I already found other cars parked and know everyone is already here but didn’t expect everyone to spread like this as I found Mom and Vikranth’s wife along with Shrishti sitting on the couch and having a conversation but of course Vikranth’s wife is silent.

And our dads along with Vikranth seems to me missing but I am sure they are at the study room talking about business.

“Prathap!” My Mom shouted seeing me and rushed towards me with a smile while Anitha slipped her hand so that I can hug my Mom.

“Mom! She is Anitha.” I said gesturing her after stepping out of her hug and Mom turned to stare at her with a smile still covering her face but her eyes changed from happiness to curiosity.

“Your fiancé! I am still mad at you for getting engaged like that without bringing her home once or even letting me meet.” Mom said turning to look at me without saying a word to Anitha.

“So, this is why you already ignored my nagging to choose among the marriage proposals you got?” she added.

“Mom! Are you going to talk everything while we stand here? Let me go and wish my Dad.” I said stopping her.

“Sure! You go ahead and she will stay with us. It is better if you go and wish him and she will wish him later.” Mom said gesturing me to leave and I turned to glance at Anitha.

She nodded with a smile covering her face but it didn’t reach her eyes at all and I paused not wishing to leave but she gestured her friend who has a relief look covering her face.

“Okay!” saying that I walked away to reach the study room and as expected they are having a serious discussion about company matters.

“Look who is here.” My Dad started with a sarcastic comment and I don’t want to take another step towards them as they all are sitting on the chairs spread while Vikranth’s Dad is sitting on the main chair.

“Come here!” Vikranth said patting on the empty chair beside him and that’s when I walked towards them before sitting on that chair.

“Happy birthday, Dad!” I mumbled not even looking at him.

“Thank you! I am glad you listened to your Mom. She was missing you all these days.” He commented and it felt like a complaint which is not a new thing.

I stayed silent while they resumed about the new subsidiary Vikranth wishes to start and as expected he got that idea when we went for movies.

“Why do we let others get profit from our malls? If we have our cinema chain then we will get more profits as we already have malls around the city and also a few other cities.” Vikrant pointed out looking at my Dad and Shrishti’s Dad as after their approval only his Dad gets involved.

“We accept everything but just a year ago you started the entertainment company subsidiary to ours and it is still getting attacked from sides and let’s not even talk about the recent scandals. So, it is better to start a new project after getting this one stable. We three may have the power but if each shareholder goes against us then the whole GH will be in trouble.” My Dad stated.

“Think about your life first. You are married for more than a year and you are already thirty-two but you are not even thinking about children. We three want some grandchildren too.” Shrishti’s Dad suddenly changed the topic as usual.

Why is he always obsessed with marriages and children? I remember Vikranth getting marriage talk from the time he was like twenty-six and even for Shrishti and I after we reached twenty-six.

“Pramod! Today is your birthday and enjoy the gathering instead of business.” Vikranth’s Dad voice reached them.

“Mohan! Vikranth knows what to do with his life more than us. No need to ask him anything about his marriage life.” He added while I stared at Vikranth who is looking down as if waiting for the words his Dad will tell him.

“Vikranth! Prepare a proposal and work on it for a longer time to make it perfect before reaching us.” Saying that he stood up.

“We are sitting here for a longer time. Let’s go and have dinner.” And all of us stood up obediently before following him out.

When we reached the living room, I found Mom talking to Shrishti happily and this time two people are silent instead of one like earlier.

“Mom! You already know Shrishti all this time. Why are you not talking to Anitha?” I asked looking at them and Mom stared at me with a frown along with Shrishti.

“We are still new to each other and it takes time to talk normally.” Anitha said shaking her head at me when I opened my mouth.

“Let’s go and have dinner.” Vikranth’s Dad Ashok Guptha ordered everyone again and this time we all walked towards the dining area where the dinner set is spread out.

I sat at my chair and gestured Anitha to come but she glanced at Kanika who nodded after which she reached me to sit beside me but Mom stopped her.

“Let her sit with her friend. Shrishti will sit beside you like usual as I arranged the seating like that.” Mom said from the chair she is sitting opposite me.

“Yes! I will sit with my friend and be comfortable.” Anitha said nodding at her before reaching Kanika before I can open my mouth.

I frowned but couldn’t say when Dad sat at the head of the table and Shrishti sat between Vikranth and I as our usual places.

Elders sat on one side while we all sat on the other and Ashok uncle asked about my restaurant and I gave out a small brief as he doesn’t like huge explanations.

“Vikranth said you are doing really good.” He said nodding and didn’t say anything as the appetizers got served.

“He took help from Vikranth, didn’t he? Of course, it will do good for now.” Dad said when Mom praised me.

“That’s not right, Uncle. Vikranth just invested to get good returns and that too for the extension of the restaurant that was doing very well. You should visit the place once and have the food he prepares.” Shrishti said with a smile and Dad kept quiet.

I turned to smile at her feeling grateful while she smiled back at me. She leaned forward to whisper, “Don’t think about his words. I heard he felt happy when Vikranth praised you.”

“Right!” I mumbled not at all believing it as I know my Dad would just wish me to fail at it and return to GH and be a director for the advertising department.

“Shrishti knows about business more as she is doing one herself independently. So, listen to her and stop nagging my son.” Mom said frowning at him when he again opened his mouth while staring at me.

“I am not going to talk about that. I heard you will be using Ms. Anny for promoting your restaurant from Vikranth. You need to pay money to GH entertainment. Do you know that?” he asked frowning and I glanced at Vikranth who is looking at my Dad while my eyes shifted to Anitha who is staring at the main dish that got served.

“He need not pay any money to GH entertainment as I am doing this for my fiancé. I just asked Mr. Vikranth whether I will be violating any rules by doing this. I want many people to know the wonderful dishes that are prepared at his restaurant by his chef and experience them.” Anitha said turning her head to stare straight at my Dad and not even glancing at me.

“Is that right? Then what about my son’s cooking?” he asked staring back at her.

“I wish I am not in the profession of acting or modeling where I need to have a check on the food I intake. I want to eat his food every day without missing it if possible. Maybe kidnap him and make him cook just for me as I don’t want others to fall for him.” She replied shrugging and I got shocked while listening to her along with everyone except for her friend.

But the major shock for us was when my Dad started laughing after hearing those words. After that, he stopped talking about my business and just gave a small thank you speech to everyone for coming to celebrate his birthday.

“This is prepared by Prathap as your birthday gift. You like to eat desserts, right?” Mom said after he took a bite from the desserts served.

He didn’t say anything before glancing up to stare at me and then at Anitha before saying, “It’s fine!”

“It’s the best!” she stated back and continued to eat the main dish just like me and even though I felt sad hearing his comment, I felt happy hearing her words which she stated without thinking for a second.

“These both are made for each other. Why are these only the ones eating slowly?” Mohan uncle asked smiling at us.

“Dad! There are so many people in this world who does that if you forgot.” Shrishti commented shaking her head.

“Yes! But those so many are not sitting on this table.” Her Dad pointed back shrugging and I had to stop myself from smiling seeing their usual banter.

“That’s because we didn’t invite anyone else.” Shrishti retorted and groaned.

“So, you already know that your argument is weak.” Her Dad smirked and I realized something else.

Before it used to be just Vikranth and Ashok Uncle who used to silent during any get-togethers lunches or dinners except for a word or two but Vikranth’s wife joined them now and looks like she is perfect for this family.

“Mrs. Vikranth! I heard you are good at designing clothes. Is it your hobby?” I asked clearing my throat to take the first step.

“No!” she simply replied and didn’t add anything.

“It is more than a hobby. She is the one to design the dress she is wearing. She is even good at cooking and also…” Anitha stopped when her friend placed her hand on her shoulder.

It’s like Anitha wants everyone to know how amazing her friend is with the enthusiasm she is using which is more than when she described my food.

“Isn’t it tiring to cook on weekends? Why don’t you just manage the restaurant and leave the cooking to your chef?” Mom asked looking at me with a worried look.

“Let him do some work instead of sitting idle. Managing a restaurant is not a small matter and he needs to at least not forget the cooking skills.” Dad said looking at her while my hand tightened on the napkin I was using to press to my mouth.

“Mom! I need to go and manage the restaurant as I can’t miss doing it with no skills.” I said standing up and Shrishti held my hand.

“It is his birthday, Prathap.” Shrishti mumbled shaking her head but I glanced at Anitha who is standing already saying goodbye to her friend and asking to meet her soon.

“I know! But I need to go.” Saying that I removed her hand to step away while she stared at me in shock.

This was not the first time for me to get fed up and try to leave but every time she stops me like this and I reluctantly sit down.

However, when I saw Anitha being ready to follow me and accepting my wish, I want to leave this place more than anything.

We both walked out of the house ignoring Mom’s voice and reached my car. She stayed silent without saying a word and didn’t stop me even when I didn’t take a turn to her hotel and directly traveled towards my restaurant and calmly messaged someone which could be her manager before switching it off.