Chapter 33: Chapter 33

*Prathap Pov*

I frowned reaching her place while hoping the matter is nothing serious. Where is Uncle? Did he already go to the party?

I rushed towards the door and rang the bell. She immediately opened the door and her tear-stained face appeared.

“Prathap!” she mumbled and didn’t stop crying in the meantime.

“What happened?” I asked stepping forward and held her hands.

“Do you know what he did?” she asked closing her eyes.

“Who?” I asked worriedly while hoping it is not something bad.

“Vikranth… he… I hate him.” The moment she said those words my worry just left me and anger replaced it.

“Are you serious? You just called me while crying and made me rush here just because of Vikranth? How many times will it be? Didn’t you say you moved on?” I shouted at her and her eyes widened.

I felt guilty immediately for shouting at her but this time she crossed it. She doesn’t know how worried I was thinking something worst happened.

I even went ahead thinking it could be about her Mom. But here she is as usual sad because of Vikranth.

“Prathap!” she whispered and I released her hands.

“You don’t know what I just did to come here, Shrishti. Is it right to worry people like this?” I asked and she shook her head.

“This is not about my feelings for Vikranth at all. It is completely about Vikranth and his actions.” She rushed the words and I frowned hearing that.

“Did he hurt you?” I asked the absurd question and she looked down.

“He hurt so many people.” She whispered and this is confusing me even more.

“Go and wash your face. We will talk about this calmly. I will prepare some coffee for you.” Saying that I pushed her towards her room and walked towards the kitchen but called Anitha first.

I can’t believe I left her there just for some small matter whatever it is. I thought she would do something stupid if I don’t rush and just came over or maybe even having a panic attack.

“Did you reach the venue?” I asked the moment she picked the phone.

“I…” I waited for her to reply but a voice reached me before that.

“I heard that you like me, Prathap. Why don’t we become a couple?” Shrishti suddenly asked angrily and I felt shocked hearing that.

“What?” I asked turning around but my phone slipped from my hands because of the abrupt turn.

“Is your phone okay?” she asked as the moment she entered the kitchen, the phone was already on the floor.

“You are talking about my phone?” I asked frowning but picked it up and she took a deep breath.

“So from you expression, you really like me or liked me? I am sure you like Ms. Anny now. So, I should be using liked, right?” she asked and I frowned hearing that.

“Or you are acting with Ms. Anny just like… like Vikranth?” she asked with a serious look.

“Wait! With whom Vikranth is acting?” I asked feeling my head is going to burst because of her words.

“And what’s with asking to be a couple?” I added and she shook her head before holding it.

“I don’t know what I am saying too. I am angry… I am angry at everything after I read those words. I am angry at Vikranth, You, and me. I feel bad for Kanika and if you are acting with Ms. Anny then I am going to feel bad for her too.” She continued to blabber while I just stood there.

“Shrishti! I just left my girlfriend alone at a place and even skipped going to the party with her just because of your call. Here you are talking about the matter about which I am not able to understand an inch of it.” I pointed out while fuming at her.

“What? How could you do that? Call her right now and apologize.” She shouted and I glanced at the broken screen of my phone.

“You thought… you thought I am still a kid who gets panic attacks?” she asked frowning.

“The last one was when you were twenty-five which is definitely not a kid age.” I pointed out and she frowned hearing that.

“Anyway, I am here and you need to tell me the matter and it better be something otherwise I will not talk to you if Anitha gets mad at me.” I warned her before preparing coffee and she waited patiently.

After we both sat in the dining area, she opened her mouth and asked, “Do you know Vikranth’s marriage is a contract marriage?”

“What?” I shouted and she slowly nodded.

“Why?” I asked frowning feeling this new blow.

“Because of us! Because you liked me and I liked him. He took this decision thinking we both will get back together.” She snorted while I just sat there still digesting it.

How does he know that I liked Shrishti in the first place? If he married because of that then it must be more than a year since he knew that. And he even knows Shrishti likes him at that time itself?

“Do you know I was so shocked? But what shocked me and made me so angry was the rules he placed for Kanika. I felt guilty, sad and I can’t explain what I am even feeling for the way I behaved with her all this time. But the culprit was him from the beginning.” She added slamming her hand on the table and her tears started again.

“How can he do this?” I whispered and she glared at me.

“Do you know why I asked you do you want to be a couple? Because I am angry at you too. Why were you silent all these years? I was just stupid to talk about my feelings all this time and hurting you indirectly and I didn’t even know. So, do you want to be a couple now?” she asked glaring at me.

“No!” I whispered.

“Exactly! We both are not at all right for each other. I still feel embarrassed that I thought I may even like you. I am sure you must have understood that part by now. If you don’t have Ms. Anny in your life and I said the same words, would we have been happy?” she asked and I shook my head because I already realized that part long ago.

I liked her but as a friend and maybe even a bit crush but the major reason was to take care of her more than anything.

“Exactly! But he made such a big decision because of both of us. Until when he will do these things? Until when he thinks he needs to take care of us?” she asked rubbing her forehead.

“Are we really that weak? Maybe I am really weak as I actually made you leave your girlfriend like that and rush here. I didn’t know anything about this party as I just returned today afternoon and I rushed to his house after hearing about his accident.” She added fisting her hands.

“It’s not because you are weak… we just… we just got used to taking care of you.” I mumbled and she slowly nodded.

“And I got used to asking for your shoulders to lean on. And it is not right.” She mumbled.

“Not completely!” I pointed out but she shook her head.

“Ugh! Just imagine what will our parents say if they find out this matter?” she asked and I closed my eyes imagining it.

“Ashok Uncle will blast him for sure.” I mumbled rubbing my forehead.

I never expected this for sure. Yes! We all thought it was weird for him to suddenly marry her and also their behavior which is definitely not like a couple who are madly in love with each other. But we never even thought there could be some reason like this. As Vikranth is not the type to show his emotions much and his wife could be similar to that was the reason I thought about their behavior.

“I slapped Vikranth.” She suddenly whispered and I stared at her wide-eyed.

“I know! I was so angry and to top of that I felt guilty that I burdened him with my feelings so much that he had to take that step.” She added and stared at her hands.

Now it’s even worse in her mind because of that for sure. She just slapped the person she looked up to from the time she was a kid.

“Why are you not calling her?” she asked passing her phone.

“I don’t remember her number.” I replied and she sighed shaking her head.

“I will go to the hotel and wait for her.” I added and she nodded after which we both sat there in silence.

Vikranth making decisions because of us was not a new thing for us. He always looked after us but this time he really went far ahead.

A marriage just because of us? That is the worst decision for sure. But… but he knows that I am with Anitha then why is he still continuing this?

I voiced out the same thing and she replied, “It’s a two year contract. There are still six months before the contract ends.”

“Would we have been able to find it out even if not for you?” I asked and she shook her head.

“No! His first rule was that she shouldn’t talk about it even near her friend.” She replied and I sighed.

“So, you should decided whether to tell Ms. Anny or not.” She added.

I rubbed my forehead again as I am already worrying about what I did today and to top of that this worry whether to tell her this matter or not.

“Okay! I will go then. You will be fine, right?” I asked standing up.

“I am sorry! I am sorry about everything. I will never… never call you like this or even worry you or do anything like this again. It’s a promise from me.” She whispered holding my hand.

“Shrishti!” I whispered frowning at her words.

“No! This is my decision. And I hope you actually like Ms. Anny and not actually just following this fake scheme that was devised.” She added.

“I love her!” I said and she smiled hearing that.

“At least there is one good news.” She mumbled and I smiled back before leaving her place.

After reaching the hotel, I parked outside while waiting for her car to reach the hotel. I stared at my phone thinking I should have remembered her number at least and not depend on my device so much.

I leand back while staring at the gate and frowned thinking about the way I acted today. I should have dropped her at the party instead of just rushing away immediately. I know it scared me thinking about Shrishti’s health issue but still… I should apologize properly and never do it again.

*Anitha Pov*

“There! Everything is done. Is it fine?” Kanika asked stepping back and I glanced down to find the part that got damaged is stitched inside the gown and no one can see that and it is a new style too.

“Yes! But the designer…” she shook her head placing her kit away which she carries in the car all the time because of her classes.

“We will think about it later. You need to enter the party from the entrance, right? And if we are lucky then they may even click just your top pictures. And just don’t think about it.” She said holding my hand and I slowly nodded.

After that, we stepped out of the restroom that is used by the staff and walked towards the car she parked near the gate.

The staff already recognized her and helped us a bit. After getting inside her car, she drove me to the front and I stepped out after taking a deep breath and placing a smile over my face.

After passing the reporters, I found Prathpa’s parents standing near the entrance. They glanced beside me with questioning looks.

I kept quiet and passed them while his father mumbled, “This stupid boy!”

He took out his phone and I smiled at Aunty before walking inside where I found the artists I know from the agency standing at the table.

“Anny! Your dress is beautiful and you did the right thing by putting on simple make-up which is actually complimenting your skin with the dress color.” One of them complimented smiling and I gave a smile thinking about the adjusting Kanika did even with my makeup.

After some time, Vikranth’s Dad gave a speech while praising the agency and Prathap’s father followed him after which Shrishti’s Dad talked about it.

I cleared my throat before reaching the stage and my hands shook but I got a grip of them before saying, “I think there will never be a day where I will not be proud of my decision to join this agency. The love that I got from my manager and fellow artists was never less. And we all know Mr. Vikranth. If she chose you then you are already the best. I am glad he gave me this opportunity and let’s celebrate many more anniversaries. And I hope for a quick recovery of Mr. Vikranth.”

I know I can end it there but I can’t ignore another matter for sure and calmly said, “Prathap had an emergency at the restaurant and couldn’t attend the party. But I am sure he must be regretting to not see me in this wonderful dress designed by Afreen Designer.”

Done! My work is done! With that thought, I stepped down from the stage in the midst of the claps and reached his parents.

“Is it fine if I leave?” I asked them.

“Are you not feeling well? You look a bit pale.” Aunty mumbled and I nodded after which they asked me to leave saying it will just be dinner and nothing else.

I rushed out of the hotel and smiled at the pictures again before getting inside the car and sat straight until Kanika drove me out of the hotel compound before slamming back.

“You did amazing!” She whispered and I smiled hearing those words while trying to stop the tears.

“I saw Shirshti’s Dad here. But he got a call where she was crying and asking for him to come to her place.” I mumbled.

“It’s because of her? I am sorry.” She suddenly apologized and I turned to stare at her.

“Indirectly I am a reason for that.” She added and I sighed closing my eyes.

“Tell me tomorrow about that. I want to sleep.” I whispered and curled myself on the seat.

“Shall I take you to the hotel?” she asked and I shook my head.

“If you don’t mind, take me to your place. I will stay for this night and leave tomorrow.” I replied.

“You can stay for as long as you want.” She mumbled completely opposite to what she said six months back.

After that, I stayed silent and opened my eyes when she stopped the car. When we reached the door, we found Vikranth standing there with the use of a crutch in the hand which is not plastered.

“Why didn’t Prathap attend the party? And why were you standing in the middle of the road?” he asked frowning at me.

“Ask him! Let her rest!” She replied for me and placed her hand around my shoulder before walking me towards the stairs.

“My call to him is not getting connected.” He replied behind us but she ignored him and continued to walk.

After we reached her room, she passed her nightwear and helped me remove the hairpins before stepping out of the room.

I freshened up and walked out of the room only to find her holding a tray in her hands. She smiled patting the bed before sitting on the side.

“I am sure you didn’t eat anything from morning onwards as usual. Let’s have dinner together.” She said and I smiled weakly before nodding at that.

“Your cooking… it just made me feel like I am at home.” I mumbled after taking a bite.

“Even I am feeling good to have dinner with you on the bed like this. Do you remember when we used to arrange the bed as a dining area and had meals whenever we used to feel down?” she asked and I nodded thinking about those memories.

After I finished, she asked me to sleep as she had to help Vikranth with his dinner too. I nodded lying on the bed and closed my eyes only to open them in the next second seeing headlights of a car rushing towards me.

I can’t believe that I am back in that phase. I closed my eyes tightly and ignored the headlights but ended up opening them again.

After some time she entered the room and didn’t switch off the lights but played music on her phone.

When she laid down beside me, I turned towards her saying, “Thank you!”

“Just don’t think about anything. We are in my room and I am just here.” She whispered and I slowly nodded.

“He called Vikranth from some number just now. I took the call and told him that you are here. It seems he is waiting at the hotel. When he said he will come here, I told him not to.” She added and I took a deep breath feeling relieved.

“I am not ready to handle that matter right now.” I mumbled and she nodded before patting my back.

“It seems I returned to five years back where I don’t have a home and still lost in the nightmare and lost in life.” I confessed.

“You can have a home at any time you want.” She assured me but I continued to frown.

“Let’s buy a home tomorrow.” She added and I stared at her frowning.

“Yes! We can just go and buy it. I will help you to choose. Will you leave a room for me?” she asked with a smile.

“Of course!” I replied smiling a bit.

“Good! Let’s buy a big house. We will spend huge on it. I will give half and you give half.” She added and I immediately shook my head.

“No! I will only spend it and you choose it. You can spend on furniture and everything else.” I said and she slowly nodded.

“Okay! Then let’s buy one with a swimming pool. You like swimming and I want to learn how to swim also.” She said and I immediately nodded.

“It should have a wonderful kitchen so that you can cook amazing food for me.” She rolled her eyes.

“I am only good for cooking.” She teased.

“And a studio for you to work in the future. You will start a brand soon and I will be the brand ambassador.” I added ignoring her.

“No way! I can get better models in the future.” She mumbled and I shook my head yawning.

“But you will not get any model as perfect as me.” I pointed out and she chuckled while I slowly drifted off into sleep.