Chapter 20: Chapter 20

*Anitha Pov*

“Why are you already back?” His manager asked the moment Prathap entered the restaurant compound and turned to reach the stairs instead of entering the restaurant but we both stopped when he rushed towards us.

“I made sure to get the dessert delivered and it is also packed properly. Was something wrong with it?” He added and I can see Prathap’s hands fisting when he brought out the dessert topic.

“Everything was fine! He just got a headache.” I said before he can say anything and that’s when his manager saw me and gave a startled look.

“Okay! I will go back inside and I will lock everything up too.” He assured Prathap before going back into the restaurant and I stood there waiting for him to move without saying a word.

He finally moved after a few seconds and we both climbed the stairs silently before entering his flat.

He suddenly turned to stare at me while I calmly closed the doors with too many thoughts in my mind.

After entering his house, I was already upset with the way his mother ignored me but then I didn’t mind after thinking about how I am a stranger to her.

But the way they both ignored my Kanika was too much for me and I had to open my mouth which could have caused her to dislike me more I guess.

“You are working too hard, Shrishti. Why don’t you just get married? You are beautiful and talented and anyone is lucky to have you as a partner.” Aunty said smiling at her while I sat silently beside Kanika who is lost in her thoughts.

“What did you buy?” she asked coming out of her thoughts while pointing the shopping bag I am holding in my hand.

“I heard Uncle is interested in gardening. So, I bought a pair of boots and gloves for him to use.” I replied and she smiled hearing that.

“Do you know what I bought?” she asked and I shook my head.

“What?” I asked curiously.

“Gardening set and also a few seedlings.” She replied and I chuckled hearing that.

“I have been behind him to just let the gardeners do their job. But he never listens to me at all. People don’t know and just buy anything.” I heard Aunty complaining and felt she is talking to Kanika whole smile slipped but turns out she is still talking to Shrishti who gave an awkward look.

“But I bought him a hat to protect himself from the sun while working in the garden.” Shrishti commented with a frown and I couldn’t help but smile at that as Aunty felt uncomfortable.

Wait! She is Prathap’s mother. Why am I treating her so badly in my mind? Why am I already thinking her in the wrong light without her doing anything to me? But Kanika doesn’t look comfortable at all and even though I like him, she is important for me.

“Of course! You were thinking about his welfare. Thank you!” Aunty smiled composing herself.

“No one would get harm by using the gifts bought by Kanika and I. Even we are doing the same, Aunty.” I said turning my body to face them and Aunty turned to stare at me with a frown.

“I heard you are an actress.” She said looking at me and I gave her a nod while waiting for her to add anything.

“She is very talented, Mrs. Mohan.” Kanika said and I felt her hand holding mine which is between us as a protective gesture.

“So, when will you go back to abroad? I heard you don’t stay here much.” Aunty added ignoring Kanika.

“How can I go back when my darling Prathap is here?” I asked not liking the look in her eyes.

I wouldn’t have minded if she didn’t like me after knowing me even a bit but when she decided to not like me no matter what then how can I stay quiet.

“I heard you don’t have parents and it shows with your behavior.” I stiffened hearing those words.

“Are you looking down on everyone who doesn’t have both parents alive?” Kanika asked tightening her hold on my hand before glancing at Shrishti and Aunty’s eyes widened.

“I didn’t mean that, Shrishti. You were a wonderful child and grown into a good person.” Aunty said turning around to stare at her whose eyes widened while staring at Aunty.

After that I ignored their conversation feeling disturbed with her words while Kanika slowly caressed my hand as a way of comfort.

“Aunty! Prathap is very rude too. I still remember how he just doesn’t think about the occasion and leave the place if someone says anything to him. He did that even during a few months back for your marriage anniversary party when he just started the restaurant. He got Uncle’s anger as genes for sure and I wish he got the calmness you have. But that must be helping him to be independent right now.” I don’t know whether she is taking our side or generally saying all that but Shrishti’s words made me feel embarrassed for being too guarded near her.

“What do you mean?” Aunty asked frowning.

“What?” Shrishti asked frowning back and I realized she was just saying without thinking about anything and even took Aunty’s words in a normal way earlier.

Anyway, I like you a bit for now. I thought smiling while glancing at Kanika who shrugged at me and somehow I put the anger I felt aside to follow her and be silent while ignoring these both.

Was that enough? No! His Dad just continued to put him down and I couldn’t control my mouth too. I was really nervous before entering that house thinking I need to make them like me.

But after all that, I don’t know whether I can like them in the first place and let’s just forget about them liking me.

“I am sorry about all that drama. Did my Mom said anything to you?” he asked in a worried tone and somehow I smiled hearing that.

For a second I even felt, do I need this drama in my life? I mean he doesn’t exactly like me and let’s not forget the feeling I got when he was interacting with Shrishti even though she is his friend first before becoming a crush. And his Mother is being rude to the face and his Dad is being rude to his son. I was thinking just this during the whole journey from his parent’s place to here.

But this simple question from him and the honesty behind it made me step closer to him before circling my hands around him and hugged him tightly.

“Are you comforting me?” he asked shifting his hands to hug me back and I shook my head.

“I am comforting myself.” I replied and he chuckled hearing that before tightening his hug.

“Will you stay?” he asked and I shifted my head to look at him but didn’t release him from my hold.

“Did our roles reversed? I thought I was shameless to ask you to let me stay that day.” I asked raising my eyebrow.

“I am glad you did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to ask this ever by blocking my mind the moment I wish to ask. Now, I am fine to say anything because of the way you didn’t hold yourself back from saying something or to express your wish.” He explained while removing one hand from my back to trace my cheek with his fingers.

“I am glad to be your teacher.” I assured him and he smiled hearing that.

“Wait! Did you plan this two days back when you asked me to leave my stuff here?” I asked in a teasing tone.

“If I had, then I would have planned for yesterday or that day itself.” He replied smirking and I rolled my eyes at his confidence.

After freshening up, we both laid on the bed to go to sleep but I can feel him thinking too much with the way he is lying there in a stiff position.

“What happened?” I asked turning on my side to stare at him.

“Do you think I am wrong to go against my Dad’s wishes and start this restaurant?” he asked staring at the ceiling.

“Don’t even talk about your Dad. If he was not your Dad then I would have slammed on the table with my hand for being so unreasonable. You had a plan and you executed it by following your passion. Did you fail? No! And he can’t force you even if you had failed as it is common to get blocks on the way. If you were not talented then him being like this would have been reasonable as it would seem him looking after you.” I said and he turned his body to lay sideways and stared at me with a smile.

“You don’t want me to understand him?” he asked and I shook my head.

“You are not a kid for someone to show you a way to make you think or feel in the right way. I don’t think you hate him and that’s enough for me to never say anything like to make you take a step back.” I explained and he nodded but continued to stare at me without saying a word.

“Maybe I am not good at this. I am not used to someone forcing me and even Kanika used to guide me and tell me honestly whatever she felt. I wanted to be a civil officer thinking I am not good at modeling when I was struggling a bit for shoots but she calmly asked me whether I am ready to be polite no matter who behaves rudely to me. I said no and she said so don’t do it unless I am ready for it.” I added and he continued to just stare.

“Why are you not saying anything?” I asked feeling awkward for a second.

“I am just listening to you and understanding you. Can I ask you something?” he asked and I slowly nodded.

“How did your parents pass away?” he asked and I sighed already knowing someday he would ask me but never thought this soon.

“They both were civil officers and they had to go to the fieldwork a little far away from the city regarding some issue and were returning at night while I was with my neighbor aunty. When they were walking towards the bus stop, a heavy truck lost control and hit them as there were no street lights as that place was not developed during that time. So, they died on spot.” I explained trying to not let out the emotion I feel every time I talk about it or remember that incident.

I never expected while I was playing with some dolls, my parents left this world. I remember how Aunty cried while holding me in her arms after checking the bodies as she got the call from the police because of the contacts.

I wish… I wish I remember the last moment I saw them or when I was held by them in their arms. I wish… I at least held their hand at their last moment.

I felt him pulling into his arms while the tears just flowed in silence. I was not this emotional every time but somehow Aunty’s words definitely had an impact.

It’s not like it was my choice to lose them like this. Which child wishes that to happen? Somehow the sobs increased he tightened his hold to caress my back.

“I don’t know why I am crying like this.” I whispered trying to control my tears.

“It’s okay! Just cry as much you want.” He assured me and I don’t know when I stopped crying but somehow ended up sleeping in his arms.

****

“What?” I asked removing the cold spoons from my eyes which he brought from the kitchen downstairs when he saw my eyes swollen and I was worried about that.

At present we both are sitting on his bed and we need to get ready before leaving the place as I need to go for a photoshoot this evening and need to prepare a bit.

He asked me whether I can come back to his place but I said I can’t as the day after tomorrow I need to meet the cast and will be busy from that day.

“Then shift to my place.” He repeated while I just stared at him still feeling the shock I felt after hearing those words.

“You don’t want to buy any house and you don’t like to shift to a flat as you had to shift again later. And you definitely don’t want to spend money on that hotel.” He pointed out one after the other and I continued to stare at him.

He frowned for a bit before saying, “You need not pay rent and you can get free food any time of the day. And I will also feel better to let you promote my restaurant by repaying you like this.”

“So?” he asked when I didn’t say anything.

“Any other advantages?” I asked trying to not smile.

“As we are already engaged for everyone, no one would say anything. We can get to know each other better.” He said after thinking for a minute.

“And?” I asked pressing my lips as l couldn’t control anymore.

“And I want you to be here.” He stated nodding to himself and I finally chuckled and he frowned hearing that.

“I want to after hearing those advantages as they are dream come true. I don’t have any furniture or anything extra which is a good thing to shift to this place. But my attires are too many and the cosmetics along with costume jewelry and my footwear are too many that they will fill half of this room.” I explained and he stayed silent hearing that.

“Then you can make the room above this flat into your wardrobe and also can have some privacy you want.” He suddenly said when I placed the spoons back on my eyes even though the coldness was reduced.

“There is a room?” I asked removing them immediately and he nodded frowning.

“Didn’t you see the stairs?” he asked and stared at me while waiting for my answer.

“I thought it is just for the water tank.” I replied and he shook his head.

“I chose this because of the structure as I thought I can prepare as a resting place for any of the staff who had to stay back longer. But that is not the case for now and it will take a longer time to reach such stage.” He explained and I slowly nodded thinking he really planned out everything for his restaurant which is an added advantage for someone to start a business.

“So?” he asked again and I smiled staring at him.

“I need to ask my manager and also Mr. Vikranth.” I replied and he frowned but nodded as if for now that’s fine.

“Okay! I will call Vikranth and you call your manager.” He said taking out his phone and I laughed taking it away before shifting closer to hold his face.

“I will talk to them later. Why are you rushing?” I asked smiling at his face.

“Am I? But I don’t think I am rushing.” He replied and I pressed my lips to his lips which made him hold me before kissing me back.

“Be aware, Prathap! After this move, I am not going to just close my eyes anymore and will raise my expectations from your heart. So, you need to think clearly again and ask again tomorrow.” I whispered over his lips after shifting a bit while he just leaned again to continue kissing me and somehow in my heart I hope he thinks about this clearly and ask again because I am so in the mood to shift to this place and let’s not talk about the bed I can lay on every day to sleep.