Chapter 31: Chapter 31

*Anitha Pov*

“Congratulations on finishing your shooting.” I smiled at the bouquet before taking it from my co-star Lucky.

“Thank you!” I mumbled glancing at him.

“You seem to be too happy to not come back to these sets again.” He pointed out and I gave him a guilty look.

“If I say I am, then do you think I will not be signed by another film?” I asked and he laughed shaking his head.

“Of course not! You better be prepared as after this gets released, you may need to choose from many projects and you may already have to by now.” He replied shrugging.

“I hope so! When will you finish your part?” I asked finding my temporary manager waiting for me with Manoj.

“By next week! I finished my major part already as they were with you. And by next month we can finish dubbing too.” He said and I nodded at him.

“I guess we may get to meet there if our schedule crosses.” I said taking my bag from the chair.

“Okay! Let’s meet then or else at the celebration at the end day of the shooting. You must be there.” He stressed and I assured him before walking towards the car waiting for me.

“Is there a place in the car?” I asked gesturing the new one I got after so many from other people on the set.

“No! I have to hold two in my hands right now.” Mehthab replied and I sighed sitting inside the car and held the bouquet in my hand itself.

When I found his message asking me to join him for dinner, I smiled before asking Manoj to drop me at the restaurant.

“I want to ask for leave next month. I need to go to my home town for a personal reason.” Mehthab suddenly said and I turned to glance at her.

“Okay! Just let me know the dates ahead.” I replied while waiting to reach his place as I am damn hungry but also because I can eat anything he makes today as there is no schedule for one whole week.

After reaching the place, I asked them to go and will definitely call them if I need anything and rushed towards the stairs and climbed them in a hurry from the front of the building.

We both decided that I will use the back one after his restaurant closes and the front one during other times. As everyone will be in the kitchen who can see me using the stairs if I take the back way and there is no reason for my presence to be hidden anymore after they see me.

“You are already here?” he asked when I stepped inside and while he is arranging the dishes on the table.

“Yes! I am really hungry. But first I will freshen up.” Saying that I started walking towards the bedroom.

“Will you take a bath with that bouquet?” he asked and I realized I am still holding it while all others must have been sent to the agency already.

“I forgot! Lucky gave me these at the end and I was holding them in the car. Somehow I ended up bringing them with me.” I sighed placing them carefully on the bedside table before rushing towards the washroom.

Suddenly after finishing the shooting, there is a sense of relief passing through for sure even though I am really waiting for more projects as my desire to settle in India increased more after having him in my life.

“What are you doing?” I asked frowning when I stepped out to find him glaring at the bouquet I just placed.

“You actually placed these here. Are you trying to make me jealous?” he asked still not turning around and I rolled my eyes.

“Why would I? I already told you that I forgot that I was holding them. And didn’t I tell you already? Don’t think about him much as this matter doesn’t have any importance. He was just a co-star and maybe a pleasant acquaintance.” I mumbled and he turned around frowning.

“Everyone is saying that they are team Anksh.” He mumbled and I gave him a weird look.

“What is that?” I asked not hearing anything about that word.

“Your fan club joined your name with his. Anitha and Laksh!” he replied and I slowly nodded understanding it.

“Why are they so concerned about him? They are your fans and should just support your decision. Why are they so crazy about him to be with you?” he asked frowning.

“Because he is handsome!” I replied in a serious tone while he stared at me with a shocked look.

“He is not just handsome but he has the charm to make anyone comfortable near his presence. He is an amazing actor too.” I added while his shocked look turned into a glare and turned to leave the room.

I smiled rushing behind him before hugging him from back before asking, “What is the name of our ship name? Should I come up with one?”

“No!” he immediately replied before adding, “Praan is our ship name.”

“That’s like over the top don’t you think? And why is your name first? In the name Anksh, it is my name which is first but here you just used your name.” I complained.

“If you were not going to like it, why did you ask? Seems like you are fond of that Anksh name too.” He mumbled while trying to remove my hands around him.

“Hey! Didn’t I tell you that I am the number one fan of our relationship? If I don’t know the ship name of ours then who else should?” I asked shifting to stand before him but didn’t remove my hands.

He stared at me with a blank look for a few seconds before circling his hands around me. I smiled widely after his move and tightened my hands along with him.

“I will be free for one week by the way. Am I allowed to stay at your place?” I asked batting my eyelashes and he chuckled nodding.

“I missed this bed for three days.” I mumbled staring at his bed while looking over his shoulder while trying to sound serious.

“Bed? Why do I have so many things to fight for?” he asked and I shifted my head to smile but stunned when he suddenly kissed me which I didn’t expect for sure.

But that was just for a second and I returned his kiss while he started stepping back to reach the bed and I immediately stopped him.

“I am hungry!” I pointed out and he sighed before walking towards the table along with me.

“My favorites?” I asked when he opened the covering and immediately started eating while he talked about the new dishes they are trying recently.

“Bharghav is complaining about increased work and wishes me to increase his salary.” He complained.

“You should! I heard he had to handle your shifts a few times as you were making mistakes.” I pointed out.

“How do you know that?” he asked frowning.

“I am his friend and he tells me about everything. We communicate frequently even though we may not meet personally everyday.” I replied and he took a deep breath.

“Even Deepak is complaining that his work is increased as you are not helping him anymore.” I added and he took another deep breath.

“What happened?” I asked frowning.

“Nothing! I calculated everything today morning on how much I can increase their salary but now I guess I can wait.” He replied and I gave him a weird look.

“Eat!” he mumbled passing another item to my plate and I nodded while enjoying each bite.

“Don’t eat too much! If you suddenly eat more then you will not feel good.” He added and I nodded before finishing it with the dessert he made.

“Thank you so much! My love for you just increased.” I said walking back to the couch after we both brushed our teeth before sitting on it and leaned back closing my eyes feeling more than satisfied with this dinner.

When he again kissed me for a few seconds suddenly, I opened my eyes asking, “What’s with these sudden kisses today?”

“Are you complaining?” he asked and I shook my head.

“Just let me be a part of it.” Saying that I shifted to kiss him and let him hold me while I circled my hands around his neck happily.

*Prathap Pov*

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a surprised tone after stepping out of the building where she just finished her work on dubbing.

“Waiting for you!” I replied while her driver snorted beside me and I turned to glare at him.

“Is it because of today’s morning picture?” she asked clearing her throat while trying to show a serious expression.

“What picture?” I asked knowing well she is talking about today’s picture where he was with her and it turns out they both are dubbing together.

“I will go then? I need to go home early anyway. And call me if you need me.” Her driver said and she nodded.

“Ask Keerthi to take care of herself and I will give her a call soon. And please drop Mehthab on your way.” She mumbled after which they both left and she turned to stare at me with a raised eyebrow.

“What? I wanted to go on a date with my girlfriend. Is it wrong? It must be! Should I just go back and relieve the work of Deepak I just raised for coming here?” I continued and she burst out laughing but covered her face when we heard flashes.

“I finished early to escape these but I guess I stayed longer.” She mumbled and I turned to find a group reaching the entrance.

She suddenly took hold of my hand whispering, “Smile! When you smile, they can forget even Laksh completely.”

“My smile is the best part of mine?” I asked automatically smiling and I need not try.

“No! When you roll your sleeves and cook something or even plan on what to cook is the best part as you look damn sexy.” She whispered and I got rooted hearing those words but we both got startled hearing a clearing throat from behind us.

We turned to find the so-called actor lucky as I saw his pictures too many times these days.

“Didn’t know those words are possible from my sweet friend!” he mumbled smiling at her before forwarding his hand towards me.

“I am Laksh and you can call me Lucky. I am… an actor.” He had to pause because of the shoutings from the crowd gathered and the flashes just continued.

After staring at his hand for a few seconds, I finally took hold of it as she suddenly pinched the hand she is holding.

“I am Prathap! And I am her Boy… fiancé.” I corrected the word and he slowly nodded still smiling.

“I heard you ran an amazing restaurant and your cooking is to die for. I hope I can taste it sometime in future.” He mumbled and I wish to say, I hope not.

“They want a few pictures from three of you.” His manager suddenly said and Laksh in turn stared at me.

“Only if you are fine with it.” Anitha whispered.

“Sure!” I mumbled and I shifted to stand between them and they both chuckled at once while I ignored their reaction.

“Let’s meet again!” saying that he walked towards his car while I opened the door for Anitha to sit inside mine.

“Don’t think anything like that, Prathap. He is really just a good friend.” She mumbled when I started driving.

“I am being too much, right? I just don’t know how to behave as it is kind of my first time feeling this jealous.” I whispered.

“Don’t lie!” that is her first reaction to my words.

“I mean you like… liked Shrishti all this time and even know that she likes Vikranth. It must have been worse at that time.” She added and I frowned hearing those words.

“Jealous? I don’t think so but hurt maybe or even sad.” I mumbled and she frowned hearing those words.

After that, we both were silent for some time and my phone ring startled both of us as reached the restaurant. I picked the call after parking the car and it turned out to be from Dad only to pause after hearing the reason for his call.

“What happened?” she asked after I cut the call.

“Vikranth met with an accident and is right now at the hospital.” I replied and her eyes widened.

“I will come with you. But can you drive? We can take a cab.” She mumbled and I assured her that I can drive.

While driving towards the hospital, I kept thinking worse even though Dad said it is just a hand fracture and nothing serious.

“What about Shrishti? She knows?” she asked and I shook my head.

“She is out of the station because of her work. It is better to not inform her and Dad specifically asked me to not inform her.” I replied and she nodded.

When we reached the hospital, we found his wife sitting alone outside the room where he is staying.

“Kanika!” Anitha called her before reaching her side.

“Why are you sitting here?” She asked frowning and her friend smiled at her.

“Nothing! There are too many people and I just wanted to give them privacy.” She replied before glancing at me.

“How are you, Vikranth’s friend?” she asked and I stared at her with a confused look.

“This is not the time to joke.” Anitha scolded her.

“Should I have called him as Anny’a boyfriend or maybe Anny’s Fiance?” she continued and closed her eyes when Anitha suddenly hit her shoulder.

“You go and see him.” Anitha said looking at me while I am still standing there while trying to understand the meaning behind that question.

“I just complained to her how you always call her either as my friend or Vikranth’s wife. Don’t think too much about it and just go.” She added and I slowly nodded before stepping inside the room only to understand why his wife… Kanika wished to stay outside.

All the elders are in this room like a total of four and everyone is talking except for Vikranth’s Dad, Ashok Uncle.

I can’t even bear to listen one of them talking and here three is like too much and added intimidating gaze of Ashok Uncle is like a dangerous one.

“Vikranth! How are you feeling?” I asked reaching his side when his eyes met mine.

“How do you think he will be after having his hand broken and wounds on his face?” Dad replied.

“So? Can’t he ask that question?” Mom scolded him back.

“I am fine!” Vikranth replied before glancing at the door.

“Anitha is with Your… Kanika.” I explained and whereas I was trying to stop myself from saying ‘Your wife’, it turned into something else.

“We should leave and let him rest.” Ashok Uncle said standing up and stared at Vikranth.

After Vikranth nodded at him, Uncle walked away and others followed him but Mohan Uncle stopped near me saying, “Don’t tell Shrishti for now.”

“Sure Uncle!” I assured him and they all left while I walked towards the stool beside his bed.

“How did this happen?” I asked him frowning.

“Don’t think too much! It was just an accident, I was about to hit a car which stopped suddenly and I turned the wheel and hit the pole. However, I forgot to wear the seatbelt and ended up with this. If I had then I would have been fine.” He explained and I slowly nodded.

“Call them back.” He added and I nodded before asked Anitha and… Kanika to return to the room.

“They said I need to use this cast for one month. And my right leg is also sprained which will take two weeks to be normal.” He explained looking at me while I frowned at the way he is describing those words.

“Next week is GH entertainment second anniversary. During the first one, we celebrated within the company as the stability was not reached but now it is progressing really well and this party is really important.” He continued.

“How will you be present? You can be there with some support.” I mumbled but he shook his head.

“No need! It will be a spectacle and it may drag attention. The news about my accident is already passed and so my absence will not be cared for much. However, there needs to be someone who represents me and you should go there with Anny. She is the main guest for the party.” He finally reached the point.

“You could have just ordered me to be there with Anitha and no need to give so much explanation.” I pointed out.

“Right! Going with Anny would have been enough information.” He mumbled while I stared at him in shock.

“Did you just joked with me?” I asked while he sighed closing his eyes.

“Let’s go! He needs to rest.” Anitha whispered beside me.

“Okay! It will be disturbing for… Kanika to care for him with others present.” I commented.

“You can come anytime you want. And he will be discharged by tomorrow.” She replied while he opened his eyes to stare at her.

“Okay!” I mumbled feeling there is so much going on in that one stare from his for sure.

After we got in my car, she turned around asking, “You are really fine to come there with me? You will be representing GH. You don’t like that status, right?”

“I know! That’s why he was explaining so much. I am fine! And I will just think that I am escorting you more than representing GH. Then it will be fine, right?” I asked back.

She leaned closer to peck my cheek whispering, “Yes! Be my escort then.”