Chapter 28: Chapter 28

*Anitha Pov*

“Again?” I asked Keerthi in confusion and she nodded sighing.

At present we are waiting for the shooting to start but turns out another important character artist has changed to a new actor last weekend but the news didn’t spread out.

Today is going to be the last day Keerthi joins me for shooting or any other schedule as she trained the new assistant of hers which was Vikranth’s idea after hearing her words.

She already stretched it to two weeks even though Manoj and I were behind her to stop stressing herself like this for the past one week as we let her be for the first week after she told me the news.

But she was adamant that the new assistant need to be trained properly and one month is nothing at all.

“Last time it was because the selected actor backed out but this time it is the new artist who reduced the payment and also has a good fan base compared to the selected one. So, they changed the actor.” She explained.

“Well, wouldn’t that get the producer into trouble?” I asked and she shrugged as it is better to not involve with all this.

“Is there any information to know the style of her acting?” I added and she shook her head.

“Director said it is a surprise for the whole crew. Anyway, you are shooting with the actress today. So, don’t worry about anything else and do what you practiced.” Keerthi said smiling and I nodded.

After getting called for a shot, we both stepped out along with her assistant with normal expression but my expression froze after seeing the actress who is talking to the director as of now.

“She looks young and definitely seems more suitable for the role.” Keerthi said smiling but she doesn’t know how my mind went blank the moment I stared at her.

What is she doing here? I want to ask that question loudly but with a deep breath, I calmed down and continued to walk towards the director.

“Ms. Anny! Are you surprised? Ms. Shalini is a popular model in India and I am sure you already know her. After she worked in my last film, I really wished for her to work in my next but she was not suitable for the lead role unlike you. And she was also not interested in any other role. But now she is so excited to join this film.” He said with a big grin and I slowly nodded with a smile covering my face as an act of politeness and nothing else.

“Anitha!” she said smiling at me with no act involved in it unlike me and I gave her a nod.

“You both know each other?” He asked looking at us.

“Shouldn’t we start shooting, Director? The scene needs to be shot with needed sunlight and it will be difficult if there is no natural light.” I said staring at him and he nodded checking the time before calling up everyone to start the scene shooting.

“It’s been a long time, Anitha.” She continued while Keerthi poked my back as she is standing behind me.

“What is it?” I asked turning my head.

“You both know each other?” she asked repeating the director’s question.

“We were acquaintances in the past.” I replied and Keerthi gave me a look of disbelief and she must have realized there is something more and immediately stopped asking the next question.

The scene was simple and somehow I ended up not making any mistakes but inside I was wishing to leave this place right now if possible.

After a few hours, with a lot of incidents involving me ignoring her every time she tried to talk normally like we were friends but responded politely whenever I had to as a co-actor.

“Why don’t we have dinner?” she asked after we finished the last shot.

“I have some appointments.” I replied politely as usual and walked away from her to remove the makeup and leave this place soon.

The moment I stepped into the tent, I took a deep breath and tried to control my feelings.

“Anny!” Keerthi whispered but I shook my head.

“Don’t ask me anything right now. I was to finish my shooting with her whichever date it is scheduled quietly and as politely as possible.” I said mainly looking at her assistant as she will be handling me from tomorrow.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Anny! I understood that part already.” Mehthab assured me and I sighed nodding.

I checked the time and found it’s nearly dinner time and he must be busy with the cooking part as it’s Sunday.

However, I calmly asked them to drop me at his restaurant and they didn’t say anything at all. Not a bit of teasing or any advice.

Instead of walking into the restaurant, I walked towards the stairs and climbed them to reach his flat.

I sat on the couch and closed my eyes while remembering the hurt she caused me three years back. Should I call Kanika? No! It is better to not disturb her with such a small matter. And yesterday she told me that she caught the flu. So, this will just disturb her resting mind.

****

“What happened?” Prathap asked the moment he saw my expression as at present I am lying down on the bed and just staring at the wall with a blank look.

“I am in a bad mood.” I whispered and he calmly walked towards the bed before sitting beside me.

“Can you tell me what is it about?” he asked and I shook my head in negative.

“Go and have a shower. You must be tired.” I said smiling at him and he nodded standing up.

“Dinner?” he asked removing his shirt.

“I had fruits you placed on the table sometime back.” I replied and he sighed before stepping into the shower while I closed my eyes to try to control my mood a bit before returns.

He is already tired and it is not good for him to take care of my mood too. I felt peace by coming here but that doesn’t mean I can disturb his in return.

He gave a surprised look, seeing me smile at him when he started wearing clothes outside after a shower.

“Do you want me to dry your hair?” I asked sitting up.

“No! It’s… Okay!” he replied nodding at me and I immediately patted the space before me.

He chuckled sitting there while I uncrossed my legs to sit on my knees to reach his head.

“Why don’t you use a dryer?” I asked rubbing his hair with the towel he passed.

“Because I wanted you to do this?” he asked and I rolled my eyes.

“You don’t even have a dryer here. And you didn’t shift to this place after meeting me.” I started the checklist and he chuckled.

“Okay! Okay! I don’t know! My hair dries easily and there was no need for a dryer.” He said shrugging.

“I am glad! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.” I said trying his style of words and immediately cringed.

“How do you say these things so normally?” I asked shaking my head and he continued to laugh which started from the moment I said that dialogue.

“My knees!” I whined stopping the action and immediately sat properly.

He turned around to stare at me before shifting his posture to lay his head on my lap by turning on one side saying, “After you finish this side, I will turn that side.”

“Such a caring boyfriend.” I whispered leaning down a bit to kiss on his cheek and they shifted with him smiling to the words I said.

After that we both were silent and he calmly shifted to the other side but didn’t get up even when I finished drying his hair.

I didn’t say anything and continued to brush my fingers through his hair before asking, “Are you free tomorrow?”

“Why?” he asked with his eyes closed.

“I am free and let’s go on a date.” I replied and he nodded but immediately opened his eyes.

“Tomorrow?” he asked staring at me.

“Yeah! I need positive energy before going for outdoor shooting again from the day after tomorrow.” I explained and he stared at me for a few seconds before nodding.

“Okay! Let’s do that. Where do you want to go?” he asked and I started thinking about it.

“Your wish!” I replied shrugging and he nodded smiling.

After that, he shifted away to lie down properly on the bed and pulled me into his arms. Somehow he ended up even patting my back as a way of comfort while I drifted off into sleep with a smile.

*Prathap Pov*

I remember I should do something before sleeping but when she drifted off into sleep, I somehow followed her while thinking about tomorrow’s plan.

“Whole day?” she asked and I nodded brushing my teeth.

“Let’s have a first date for the whole day.” I said stepping away for her to brush her teeth.

“Okay!” she replied with an excited look.

I called Deepak to get someone to arrange two sets of breakfast before bringing it up to my place.

“Isn’t this heavy?” she asked staring at the contents.

“It is our date and you should do what you want to.” I replied and she stared at them in doubt for a few seconds before diving in and I chuckled eating along with her.

After we finished breakfast, we both got ready and stepped out of my place. When I started driving us towards the GH mall we went a few months back, she gave a confused stare.

“Are you serious?” she asked looking at me and I nodded.

“You don’t like watching movies.” She mumbled and I smiled at her words.

“You enjoy them, right?” I pointed out and she immediately stepped closer before spreading her arms but looked around her and dropped them the next second.

“It’s okay! You can hug me all you want later.” I whispered leaning over her ear and she rolled her eyes.

I sat a bit closer to her and tried to watch the movie but somehow ended up turning my head to stare at her.

It’s always a feast to see her being expressive about whatever she talks about from the feelings to even enjoying the food.

But that feast becomes a grand one during the movie is the new thing I learned while watching her. It’s like every scene has an impact on her and she changes her expressions so fast.

I took a deep breath to control my heart rate as it just got excited after observing her like this. I don’t just like her anymore? I thought dwelling into my feelings.

“Watch the movie!” she whispered stopping my thoughts.

“I am watching a movie. And it’s called Anitha’s movie experience.” I whispered and she chuckled before covering her mouth realizing the audience around us and also seems like someone is crying in the movie.

“Stop it!” she whispered turning her head and smiled looking at me.

So, from that point, she was not completely absorbed with the movie and continuously gave me glances in intervals.

“We will not be watching a movie again for sure.” She commented after we got inside a restaurant in the mall.

“Then what about your movies? I need to watch them with you on premier’s, right?” I pointed out.

“Right! But only if you are not busy. And at that time you can watch the screen instead of me as I will be on the screen.” She pointed back and I chuckled.

After lunch, we roamed the mall a bit and I showed her the things for which I worked on when I was working under PR management.

“Are you happy that you started a restaurant going against what was expected of you?” she asked and I nodded without a bot of hesitation.

“Mr. Prathap!” I froze seeing one of the board members that actually tried to get me on his side while I was working for GH.

“Bad guy?” Anitha whispered.

“Bad guy for Vikranth.” I whispered back and she nodded.

“How were you? How is the restaurant going? Many are missing your ideas recently as they are very fresh compared to our old minds.” He just continued to praise while I nodded to each word.

“Prathap! I have my shooting to start. Let’s go!” She suddenly said from my side and he turned to look at her.

“You must be his fiancé, Ms. Anny. I heard you are under Mr. Vikranth’s agency. My Nephew has a reputed agency and I can ask you if you want to change.” He said and I fisted my hand.

“No need! Who can beat Mr. Vikranth in business matters? I would be going on losing side if I listen to you.” I stared at her in shock and a smile threatened to form on my face while he just stared at her.

“We will leave!” saying that I walked away with a polite look and started laughing the moment we both sat inside my car.

“What is so funny?” she asked beside me.

“You are amazing! You just called his nephew a losing one with those words indirectly.” I replied and she shrugged.

“I was being honest!” I leaned to kiss her before started driving towards the park near to the mall.

We bought a few snacks at the mall along with other things. So, no need to worry about the on the sopt picnic for sure.

****

“Hello?” I lifted the call without checking the ID as at present I am lying down on the mat she laid for us on the ground and she is snuggled in my arms.

“Prathap! How can you be like this?” I heard Mom’s voice and immediately opened my eyes and found the sun is setting already and we couldn’t find the difference as this time we found a bushy tree and it is already dark here.

And somehow we both slept off feeling tired. However, the moment I heard Mom’s voice it was like a snap and I remember what I forgot to do.

“I am sorry, Mom!” I mumbled and she started scolding me.

“It’s fine if you forget your parent’s anniversary but what about Shrishti’s birthday. How can Vikranth and you behave like this? She is arranging everything on her birthday. If you had already planned with her, then you should have continued until the end. Did you even wish her?” I closed my eyes.

Yesterday, I remember a bit about it but looking at Anitha’s hurt expression and also the joy she felt while planning to go on a date somehow let me ignore all that.

“Come home right now. The guests will be here soon.” Saying that she cut the call and I sighed.

“What happened? Is there any urgent matter?” she asked opening her eyes.

“I already enjoyed the whole date. No need to continue until night if you are busy.” She assured me.

“Why don’t we continue the rest at my parent’s house?” I asked and she widened her eyes and I calmly explained what happened.

“How can you forget that matter? Do you know how wrong it is to arrange for your own birthday? You should apologize to Shrishti.” She said sitting up and started packing the things while I stood up to clear the mat and fold it.

****

“I still don’t think it is proper for me to be there. You didn’t even invite me until now.” She pointed out.

“I really forgot about the party matter. And you are my girlfriend. If you don’t come with me then who should to my family affair?” I pointed back and she smiled nodding.

It took some time as she needed to get ready by going to the hotel and I got ready at my place.

I hope the guests didn’t arrive as yet. I need to apologize to Shrishti no matter what. And Anitha was right about that.

Two weeks back we were discussing it and there were some things I said I will do but it ended up with me being completely absent for everything.

When we reached the house, I found Mom instructing the caterers and she is already ready. To my luck, the guests didn’t arrive yet.

“I am sorry, Mom! Happy Anniversary!” I said greeting her and she sighed hugging me back.

“Where is Shrishti?” I asked looking around.

“She is checking on the lights near the garden in the back.” Mom replied and I nodded turning towards Anitha.

“I will be back.” I said placing my hand on her cheek and she nodded smiling.

When I was walking away, I heard her greeting her and also passing the gift she already had at her place which she bought recently during one of her outdoor shootings.

“Happy birthday, Shrishti! And I am sorry.” I said the moment I reached her and she turned around to stare at me.

She just nodded without a smile covering her face. She turned back to check the arrangement of the light before turning to walk back.

“I am really sorry, Shrishti. I didn’t do it by planning.” I said stopping her and she sighed sitting on the bench.

“I am not mad at you. I am just confused I guess.” She said frowning and I sat beside her not understanding this part.

“Vikranth and you forgot to wish me and wouldn’t have attended this party if not for Aunty calling you. This was like so opposite to what we do every time for each one of our birthday’s. Do you know I didn’t feel worse because of Vikranth and just bad because of you? I felt sad because of both of you at the same level. There was no difference at all. But shouldn’t there be a difference? I mean I was in love with Vikranth for all these years, right?” she asked and I slowly nodded.

“This is what I was thinking of recently. I felt jealous about Kanika but it was the same towards Ms. Anny. Why? Why would it be similar?” she asked shaking her head.

“I never liked him?” she added and turned to stare at me.

“Do I like you?” she just continued.

“What if I really like you and didn’t know?” she asked and I don’t know how to even react to the words she is saying.

“Shrishti!” I called her name so that she can stop thinking too much and confusing me at the same time.

“As a friend, I always liked you better than Vikranth. But what if I liked you not just as a friend all this time? Isn’t that a huge mess? I mean you like Ms. Anny and are dating her. And it’s not like you see me as anything other than as a friend. So, it’s again a heartbreak from the beginning point of understanding only.” She shook her head.

“So, it is better to stop thinking about it. I don’t want to accept the alternative where all this means, I never liked Vikranth as anything other than a friend. That’s like a few years of my life being a lie.” She scoffed and I sat there speechless while trying to process what she is saying right now.

“Aunty is calling you both.” We both turned to see Anitha standing a few steps away and we immediately stood up.

“The guests started coming and Shrishti needs to get ready also.” She added before turning to walk back.

“She didn’t hear it, right? If she did then she wouldn’t be this calm, right?” Shrishti asked in a panic tone while poking my shoulder.

How would I know? She was staring at us with a normal expression and it doesn’t seem like she heard anything but it is better to ask her after the party.