Chapter 27: Chapter 27

*Prathap Pov*

“Are you okay?” I asked Shrishti as she continued to stare at the door.

She slowly turned around asking, “Why did you ask her to wait at your place? We were just gossiping here and nothing important.”

“You were upset hearing the words she said and it will be uncomfortable for both of you to stay at the same place.” I explained and she frowned hearing that.

“What are you talking about? I am not affected by Vikranth anymore and didn’t I tell you I was thinking about something else recently?” she asked and I gave her a confused look.

“Then what was your earlier expression?” I asked and she scratched her head hearing that question.

“I guess I was surprised about her entrance and even the words. But I was not upset at all.” She assured me and I stared at her face before realizing she is saying the truth.

After feeling relieved, I remember the expression on Anitha’s face when I asked her to wait at my place. Was it hurt or surprise? I thought frowning and glanced at the time.

“So, I am thinking to have the party at your place only. It is like in the middle of the way for everyone and no one will be tired to reach the venue.” She continued to talk but I continued to think about Anitha’s expression.

She said she has some work and has to go but what if she didn’t and just left because of those words.

“If there is nothing else, I need to go somewhere.” I said standing up while she gave a surprised look.

“I know we are talking about my parent’s anniversary and your birthday event after two weeks but I have something important to do.” I added walking away and informed Deepak about my absence.

However, Bharghav called me from the kitchen saying there is some problem with the new dessert we are trying to add to the menu and it is supposed to be added for today’s lunch.

“Okay! I am coming.” I reluctantly followed him to the kitchen before finding the taste a bit different than the one we expected to place.

Turns out it is a mistake from one of the assistant chef and it took some time to correct the mistake before finally leaving the restaurant.

“She is not here?” I asked the receptionist after getting no reply from her room even after ringing the bell for ten minutes.

“No! We saw Ms. Anny leaving the hotel long back.” She replied smiling but she gave me a doubtful look.

“Thank you!” I walked out of the hotel thinking she must have been honest about the fact of needing to go somewhere else.

I will talk to her tomorrow if she continues to not lift my calls. With that thought, I traveled back to the restaurant and made sure to see the reviews of the new dessert near whoever ordered it to know whether we should continue or not with it.

“I think we need to increase the quantity of dinner time. Did you see the posts, boss?” Deepak asked passing his phone and I found he searched the name of Anny and the posts include the new dessert.

A few customers tagged our restaurant and the dessert but surprisingly they even tagged Anny. Looks like he is right about that part.

“Wait! Why are you searching for my girlfriend’s name tagged post on insta?” I asked frowning at him.

“Girlfriend? Isn’t that supposed to be fiancé?” he asked frowning back and my frown slipped but I cleared my throat.

“Right! She is my fiancé and behave with her thinking her like that only and don’t do all these searching and others while thinking her just as a celebrity.” I warned him while he laughed.

“I am actually supporting her because she is your fiancé and not the other way around. I am not Bharghav Uncle.” He said shaking his head.

“You just made two sins. One, I should be greeted as a chef and not by my name and second would be who is your uncle?” I laughed hearing Bharghav as he is standing near the door of my cabin all this time.

“Then chef uncle? That will be just one sin and I am fine to do one sin every other day.” With that Deepak smirked at him before walking out of the cabin while Bharghav continued to glare at him.

“What do you want?” I asked staring at him.

“This is a personal time and I am here to ask a personal question. Who is this Lucky? Is he her friend? Why is there always news about him connected to her?” he continued to ask while I just frowned at him.

“It was long back right?” I asked and he shook his head.

“In the fan club the discussion is still ongoing and there are mutual fans who think they both are a great match. In the beginning, there was a conflict but after that ad shoot of both of them, they are also wavering towards him.” He explained while I am trying to keep up with what is he saying.

“What side are you on?” I asked and he tightened his lips hearing that question but laughed when I glared at him.

“Of course you! But that’s just because she likes you and if not, then I will also support their relationship and wish for it to be true.” He replied and I slammed my hand on the table.

“Why is everyone crazy? Those were just a few comments and just an ad shoot. Why is everyone exaggerating like this?” I asked and he shrugged.

“So, be good to our Anny otherwise many are ready to support your parting.” Saying that he walked away while I tried to control my anger after hearing those words.

Parting? What parting? I shook my head and called her number but like morning, she is not lifting the phone.

I can’t believe I am this restless thinking I hurt her in the morning about which I am not even sure whether she really got hurt or just busy.

I sighed staring away from the phone to check the reviews that were given by the customers about the new one and it is free for today and so everyone ordered it.

It is nothing but an expense for today but if it clicks then it is profitable for us and it’s not like all will come here just to have this dessert. So, it’s a win-win I guess.

How I wish, there is a win-win even in relationships? I should have just followed her immediately but Shrishti is my friend and it would be rude but not following her just hurt her and as her boyfriend how can I do that? So, what should I have done to let it be a win-win?

I sighed rubbing my forehead and concentrated on the dinner dishes as the customers will increase because of these posts and he can’t handle everything for sure.

****

“Shall I get something packed for you? You didn’t have a proper lunch because of the work and didn’t get a chance to eat dinner.” Deepak asked taking the review chart back where I noted down the points we need to develop in the dessert but it will be regular one added to the menu.

“It’s okay! They were working from morning onwards without a break. Let them go and you too go home. I will prepare something for myself.” I assured him and he nodded before walking away.

After everyone left, I walked towards the kitchen while calling her number but now it’s switched off making me frown.

I sighed just locking the doors feeling not that good to cook and eat something and started climbing the stairs while thinking whether I should go and check the hotel once.

But I am tired of all this work and I shouldn’t drive and again taking a cab but if she is still not there… I shook my head and decided to call her manager.

But the time is past midnight, I locked it while deciding to check up on her tomorrow and unlocked the door only to stumble the moment I tried to step in.

I frowned looking at the doorway and found a pair of heels. Wait! I thought stepping inside after remembering the owner of the heels and closed the door behind me.

After walking towards the bedroom, I found her sleeping on the bed and of course with her ever-present snore.

I smiled while feeling relieved from the worry I felt from the morning before freshening up feeling sweaty with all the work.

I walked out of the washroom while drying my hair with the towel but paused finding her eyes staring at me even though she is still lying on the bed in the same position.

“When did you come here?” I asked walking towards the bed and laid down beside her.

“Morning!” she replied closing her eyes.

“You were waiting here from the morning because I asked you too? But you said you have some work to do.” I pointed out while feeling shocked at the same time.

“I lied! I went back to the hotel but then got my brain fixed a bit before coming to your place.” She replied and I pushed her hair back but she didn’t move an inch.

“Why didn’t you call me? Or even come downstairs when you came here?” I asked but she just sighed.

“I forgot my phone while rushing to your place and found you busy while running here and there. I thought of waiting here for some time but somehow ended up sleeping. I woke up two times but couldn’t move from this bed and again drifted off into sleep.” She explained.

“I… I don’t know what to even say.” I mumbled thinking this is definitely not normal.

If I had known she was here then I wouldn’t have been worried and we could have met long back.

“Are you upset?” I asked looking at her expression where she scrunched her face a bit.

“No!” she replied immediately before adding, “Didn’t I tell you that I fixed my brain? It was childish of me to feel jealous in the morning and even to expect you to just follow me. I mean I like you then how can I test you like that? And I am being immature about her too when I should behave better. I was at her place once and knew how it works but still behaving the same way as other people behaved with me.”

“What other people?” I asked caressing her cheek.

“Not a big thing and that is not important. I didn’t react badly near you but still, I want to apologize.” She replied and continued to frown.

I pecked her lips asking, “Then why are you giving that expression?”

“I am hungry!” she replied opening her eyes.

“What?” I asked to which she gave a pouty look.

“I didn’t have anything except for juice in the morning. I am so hungry that my stomach is paining.” She explained and I burst out laughing at her words and that expression of hers.

“Okay! I will go and prepare something for both of us.” I said shifting but she held my hand stopping me.

“Don’t go! Let’s make some other restaurant rich for tonight.” She mumbled while I frowned.

“I mean, let’s order food from outside. I want to stare at you for some time. And you even took a bath.” She pointed out while I slowly nodded at her.

“We can order from the restaurant in GH mall. Even though the whole bill will not be GH share but still a tiny part of it will go as rent to GH.” She continued and I laughed before following her order.

****

“Ugh! I can finally live now.” She said leaning back the couch after finishing her share and even the part which I left.

“You should have just come down and asked someone for food or else just come to my cabin. There are fruits on this table too.” I pointed out and she slowly nodded.

“I was tired and just couldn’t get up.” She mumbled sighing and I circled my hand around her waist before pulling her closer.

“Now, tell me what did you want to tell in the morning.” I asked and she gave a hesitant look but finally talked about her conversation with Vikranth and also her manager’s pregnancy.

“You actually bullied Vikranth? Now, that’s a surprise. We both were never able to do that.” I mumbled and she grinned.

“I took a chance! Recently I felt worried about Kanika but today’s phone call just gave me a tiny bit of relief.” She explained and I nodded pressing my lips to her forehead.

She played with my free hand in silence and I felt my eyes drooping a bit before I completely closed my eyes.

“Darling!” I frowned hearing that word being called again and again and finally opened my eyes.

“What did you say?” I asked staring at her.

“When I think you are cute, I will call you darling but when I am mad then Prat. Okay?” she asked smiling.

“So, I should never make you mad to not hear that word.” I mumbled and she nodded smirking.

“Let’s go and sleep on the bed. You just took a short nap.” She mumbled taking my hand away from her waist to stand up and extended her hand.

I took hold of it smiling before walking towards the bedroom while leaning on her a bit. After we both lay on the bed, she covered us with the blanket while I stared at her.

“I am sorry that couldn’t just rush behind you in the morning.” I mumbled and she smiled hearing that.

“She is your friend for two decades and I am your girlfriend for just a few months. It is wrong of me to expect that in the first place.” She said and immediately frown.

“Wait! That’s wrong! I still expect Vikranth to run behind Kanika than to stay back with your friend. So, I still don’t know what is right and what is wrong. Let’s just forget it.” She mumbled and I chuckled at her words.

“It’s okay if you don’t rush behind me just because I am angry but don’t leave me behind.” She whispered and I nodded pulling her into my arms.

“I need to go for outdoor shooting after two days for a week.” She mumbled and I tightened my arms.

“Don’t contact that Laksh much. There is a fan club for both of you to be a couple.” I mumbled before explaining everything Bharghav told me and she chuckled hearing that.

“I know! I check them from time to time.” She said and I frowned hearing those words.

“And you don’t do anything about it?” I asked to which she kissed me which caused me to shut my brain with all those questions for a bit.

“Those are just words. Even if none of the fans support our relation, I will be the only member of the fan club of our relationship.” She said with a serious look and I pulled her down for a long kiss.

But she pushed me away in the middle asking, “Aren’t you sleepy?”

“Who would sleep after hearing those words?” I asked back before pulling her top and continued to kiss her while she chuckled but didn’t stop me.

The way she expresses those feelings of hers and the honesty behind those enough for me to wish to be with her for my whole life if possible. I hope there is a day I can express my feelings just like her instead of being dumb at that. I think I have fallen in love with this woman in my arms.