Chapter 21: Chapter 21

*Anitha Pov*

“No!” I wish I can open my eyes right now to give her a weird look with the way she didn’t even pause before giving me that answer.

“Why? Why are you so against it? I am talking about it from yesterday.” I pointed out and now had to keep quiet as they started applying the lipstick after finishing the eyebrow makeup.

“This is not the place for us to have this discussion. First, finish this streaming, and let’s go back to your place.” She ordered and I can hear her stepping out of the Prathap’s cabin which he gave us so that I can get a bit ready for the live we are going to do for the dishes his chef is going to prepare.

“Done! What are you both discussing?” My makeup artist whom Mr. Vikranth appointed strictly for me asked.

I glanced at her after opening my eyes and kept quiet as I am still not close to her and getting to know her slowly for now even though she worked for me a few times in the past for the events in India.

“Nothing special! So, I can go now?” I asked her with a smile and she nodded before glancing at her phone with an irritated look.

“What happened?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“My boyfriend! He wants to meet you after knowing I am working with you. Now, he is fighting with me when I rejected that.” She explained and I frowned hearing that.

“Dump him! Why am I that important in your relationship that you both had to fight because of me?” I said before walking out of the cabin and didn’t even care about her reaction to it.

I smiled looking at Prathap who looks nervous than I am and we decided to let others continue to work to let the viewers see a bit of inside the kitchen.

“Remember to be subtle and don’t give out the reaction which you don’t feel just because he is your boyfriend. This is a small thing but if anything goes wrong then everyone will be brought down.” Keerthi instructed me again which she already did at my place.

“I know! I know!” I mumbled sitting on the chair they arranged specially for today and the camera on the table is also set.

“Just two dishes. One will be the main dish and the other would be a dessert.” She instructed the chef this time.

I shook my head before taking a deep breath and glanced at Prathap who is already staring at me. I smiled looking at him brightly before shifting my head to stare at the camera with the same look and the live streaming started with me greeting everyone even the views are not that many.

“This is really good. Oh no! My manager is glaring at me for eating this whole.” I added when I found Keerthi glaring at me really.

“Next! Next!” I said glancing at the person who is near me to get me the dish and smiled when I found Bharghav actually prepared my favorite dessert, chocolate mousse.

I took a bite immediately after showing them the dish properly before taking a bite and closed my eyes with the way it just melted.

“Wow! Do you guys know this is my favorite? I never talked about my favorite desserts as I always said if it is sweet, then I will eat it. But this is actually my favorite and I somehow passed that to the chef I think.” I said smiling at the camera.

I took another bite but stopped with just two bites before saying, “I have to stop myself to finish this. But what is stopping you guys? Come over and enjoy these.”

With that, I waved at them saying goodbye greetings, and the camera was turned off by Keerthi after she understood the moment she has to.

“So, how was it?” I asked looking at others and mainly at Bharghav.

“I think everyone will order that dessert from now on and I need to be prepared.” He replied and I grinned standing up but found Prathap missing.

“But why didn’t you do this with his food?” He added looking at me.

“Prathap said you are the chef and you should be the one to bring the customers.” I replied and he is giving a normal expression but his eyes are definitely showing happiness after hearing those words.

I turned to leave and found Prathap standing near the door with his hands folded with his eyebrow raised.

Damn! I thought he is not here and that’s why I lied to Bharghav. Actually, there was no intention for any of us to use Prathap’s food as the customers are already there and the weekend will always be a benefit. But what will go wrong to boost his chef a bit which will make everyone happy?

“Want to stay over?” he asked when I calmly reached the door but before I could open my mouth, Keerthi reached my side.

“She will be meeting the cast tomorrow and needs to prepare for that. So, we will be leaving.” Saying that she dragged me and I frowned at her while he frowned at me.

“I will call you later.” Saying that I followed her and reached the car that is ready near the entrance which could be her messaging her husband that we finished.

I kept silent as the makeup artist was with us and the moment we entered my hotel room I turned around but she shook her head before gesturing the chair.

“We need to have this talk and that’s why I brought you. Also, you really need a good rest and some planning for tomorrow’s meeting.” She said sitting in the opposite chair.

“Okay! That is true but I could have told him this.” I pointed out.

“No! You don’t seem like you will say no to any of his requests.” She said making me frown.

“Now, You can’t shift to his place no matter what.” She added and folded her arms and I stared at her in shock as she was this strict in the beginning but later she was normal and friendly and we were like a family too.

“Why?” I asked and she sighed before looking straight at me.

“He loves you?” she suddenly asked and I gave her a blank look as that’s what I felt the moment she asked that.

“I don’t love him too.” I pointed out and she smiled hearing that.

“But you are on the way towards it.” She retorted and I couldn’t make a sound when I know that part is true.

“He likes you?” she asked changing the question and I closed my eyes understanding why she doesn’t want me to shift to his place.

“I would just advise you to not do it if you were not a celebrity. But I am blocking you completely because this is a crucial time for you and one wrong step would bring you down. I am not saying you shouldn’t do anything about your personal life but the personal life you are choosing is not at all clear.” She pointed out and I opened my eyes to stare at her.

“You can get angry at me or even feel wronged. But this is the truth which you also know. At present times, even after promising each other their whole lives, it is still a gamble to live together. But that is not even the case as of now. It was fine until it was normal dating with having assurance about his feelings. However, shifting to his place is a huge decision and is even more huge because of your nature.” With that, she stood up to leave.

“I am right both professionally and personally. If you want, you can ask two people who are related to a part of those two. Mr. Vikranth is for professional advice and your friend is for personal, right? So, if any one of them is fine with this then I will help you to shift your luggage.” Saying that she walked out of the room while I just sat there lost in my thoughts.

I sighed standing up to reach the mirror and removed the makeup to have a small nap feeling too much pressure as I know she is completely right and I was being emotional with this decision but I really want to stay with him. However, I can’t ignore her words at the same time.

****

“How is everything with meeting them and other things?” Mr. Vikranth asked while checking the schedule he got from his team for me so that he can pass it to Keerthi.

At present we are sitting in his cabin as he called us over after we finished meeting everyone and the shooting will start within two days because of another actor’s schedule change.

“Everything is fine.” I replied while deciding whether to ask him or not but I glanced at Keerthi who gave me a nod.

“I want to shift to Prathap’s flat.” I said the next second and he paused his action before shifting his eyes to look at me with that cold look he generally shows while doing business.

“I heard you will be buying a house from your manager and recently that going to shift to a flat.” He said glancing at Keerthi.

“Yes! Now, I just want to stay at his place as he invited me.” I said and he shifted his eyes back to me.

“No! Choose either of the options or I can find the place where a few junior artists are getting accommodation from and you can stay there if you want some company. But staying with Prathap is out of the question.” He said without pausing for a second.

“Because of the rumors? But we are engaged in the public eyes.” I pointed out.

“Are you both going to be an engaged couple even after nine months?” he asked and as usual I couldn’t say anything.

“Exactly! So, just go along with your previous plans. If you want, you can continue to stay at GH hotel. I am sure their hospitality is not a bad one and are giving you special care as you are a VIP.” He added and started discussing my schedule.

“I can get you an assistant if it is too hectic to handle.” He said talking to Keerthi but she shook her head.

“I would have asked if it was for other artists but Anny is very considerate to most of her work by herself.” Keerthi assured him and the tightness I was feeling lessened a bit but I want someone else to give their decision.

“Drop me at Kanika’s place and come to pick me up when I call you.” I said the moment I sat inside the car.

“We can wait!” she said but I shook my head as I don’t know how long I will stay with her today.

****

“Even you?” I asked her frowning as at present I am sitting on the bed in her room which seems to be used just by her.

“Who else?” she asked passing the juice glass to my hand before sitting beside me on the bed comfortably with her legs and gestured me to do the same.

“Keerthi and also your husband.” I mumbled and she nodded as if it is expected from them while I gave a pout.

“Be honest with yourself. Do you really think it is right for you to take this step?” she asked and I stared at her before shaking my head.

“Exactly! A place where we stay is really important to both of us. I am more than happy if you will be staying with the person you like but I want it to be mutual. Because I know you will make it your home even with those casualties surrounding your relationship. Get his answer first before making these decisions. If it was someone else I wouldn’t have said anything but it is you and that’s why this is important.” She explained while I just stared at her.

“I know! But recently I am not thinking logically at all. I got infected by him.” Saying that I leaned my head over her shoulder.

“Tell me one thing. Why are you staying in this room alone without your husband?” I asked after a few seconds.

“For our privacy!” she replied without missing beat.

“You guys are a young couple and what privacy and what separate beds. I want to hit you for hiding everything from me.” I mumbled and she sighed.

“Why are we talking about this matter? Now, what will you do?” she asked changing the topic and I calmly took out my phone before messaging him.

‘I can’t shift to your place, Prathap. Everyone is thinking it is the wrong idea because of my profession and for some other reasons. Let’s give it some time before discussing it again.’

“Will it be fine?” I asked after sending the message.

“I don’t know! But you did the right thing.” She assured me and I sighed before taking a sip from the juice and we both just sat there in silence while I drank the juice for ten minutes.

“So, what is going on with your classes?” I asked while changing the topic as I know she will definitely talk about everything about this topic, unlike her marriage part.

****

“He is here? Why don’t you have dinner and then go?” Kanika asked when we both stepped out of her room.

“He is near to the place and will be here by the time I reach the entrance. I had a huge lunch with the crew during the meeting. I want to have something light after reaching the hotel. I need to prepare for a few things too.” I replied smiling and we both started climbing down the stairs but paused hearing voices from the living room.

“But why? Why are you against this?” I can hear Prathap’s voice.

“He is against to what?” We both heard Shrishti’s voice and I turned to glance at Kanika who is actually glancing at me.

“Don’t look at me like that, Vikranth. I called Prathap to hang out but he said he is coming here to meet you and I thought it’s been a while since we hang out. And let’s not forget what happened during Mohan uncle’s birthday party. So, I am here to remove the awkwardness.” She added while Kanika sighed beside me and shook her head.

“So, what are you guys talking about?” She asked when we both started climbing down again after getting over the shock.

“He wants Ms. Anitha to shift to his place and I am against it. So, he is mad at me for being against that and asking for a reason.” Vikranth explained and I had to give him for explaining it so simply.

“What? Do you want to live in together with Ms. Anny? Why? Do you like her?” hearing that part and that too mainly from Shrishti made me stop Kanika and myself from taking another step.

“Don’t! Let’s just move!” Kanika said but I shook my head to stay hidden from them as I want to know what he will answer.

She opened her mouth but I used my hand to cover it with a pleading look and tried to hear their conversation.

“I… I… I want her to live with me. Why is it wrong? Why are you forcing her to do what you wish?” My hand dropped from Kanika’s mouth hearing that and she took hold of my hand while her eyes gave out a sad look for me.

“So, you don’t like her?” Shrishti asked in a confused tone and I closed my eyes before opening them while Kanika started climbing down and this time holding my hand.

We reached downstairs and they glanced at us but I turned to stare at Kanika saying, “I will give you a call after reaching the hotel.”

“Take care! Don’t forget you have shooting after two days and that is an important part as you can continue to be here if this gets to succeed.” She said and we reached the main door but she continued to accompany me as I need to walk towards the main gate to reach my car.

“I know!” I assured her smiling and continued to walk ignoring Prathap’s voice that started calling my name.

I waved at Kanika before getting inside my car and ignored his presence who just reached Kanika’s side and asked Manoj to drive while Keerthi gave me a look from the passenger seat where she is sitting at present.

I didn’t say a word even after we reached the hotel room but gestured them to just leave and entered my room. I planned to prepare a bit for the script but right now I want to sleep to shift my mind to the professional side from personal issues.