Chapter 36: Chapter 36

*Prathap Pov*

“Do you want me to handle the dinner too?” Bharghav asked entering the cabin.

Even though I reached the restaurant before lunchtime, he stared at me for a second before stating that he will be handling the lunch and asked me to leave the kitchen.

Without putting a fight, I left the kitchen but from then on just sat in the cabin while staring at my new phone I bought while returning from Vikranth’s place.

I already messaged Vikranth and hesitantly asked for Anitha’s number. I know he will not leave his phone alone today but still didn’t reply back.

After opening the articles and reading the main ones, I immediately messaged him saying, ‘I will do whatever it is needed to get everyone to not believe the articles.’

Again no reply from his side but I tried to remain patient before replying to Bharghav, “Thank you for today. I will manage the dinner section.”

“Okay! Many are talking about her in the wrong way. The incident didn’t just hurt her personally but also professionally as a few fans are also bashing her saying she cheated on you and everything. So, be there for her.” With those words, he walked away and I gripped my phone while feeling lost on how to make all this go away.

I wish I can just turn the time and go back to that moment but will I really thinking rationally at that moment even if I go back?

Damn it! I placed the phone on the table before closing the articles but immediately picked it up hearing the message ringtone.

‘No need for you to do anything. She decided to sue that man and also the agency.’ Vikranth replied back and I felt happy that she took that decision.

‘And she bought a house. They are going to buy furniture today evening and also tomorrow.’ I frowned at the next message.

House? So suddenly? I thought before remembering how she wanted to buy a house but was worried after what happened to her car.

I stared at the message he sent while thinking what should I feel about this. I should be happy for her as she is finally doing what she wished to. But I am worried too thinking it could be something that will increase the distance which started because of my doings.

What are you thinking? No matter what you should do something and she needs to buy one and it is a good thing. I glanced at the second half of the message.

Wait! Furniture? I immediately messaged Vikranth saying, ‘Please tell Kanika, the mattress she needs to buy should be as per the details I will send within a few minutes.’

After sending that message, I rushed to the kitchen and climbed the stairs to reach my room and immediately found the book where I noted down everything I bought while starting the restaurant.

It must be here as I bought even the things in my room at the same time. I finally found the bed details and messaged Vikranth but he replied saying, ‘I passed the message.’

I called Vikranth before asking, “Send me Kanika’s number.”

“Kanika? Why?” He asked back making me frown.

“To discuss with her.” I mumbled after which he stayed silent.

“Fine!” he mumbled cutting off the call and finally messaged her number.

I saved it before messaging, ‘Please buy the one of that material only. She feels comfortable with it.’

‘Okay!’ she simply replied and seems like he already told her that I will contact her.

I glanced at the time before typing, ‘At what time will you leave, I will join you both but will keep a distance so that she doesn’t see me.’

‘Why?’ she simply messaged and I started typing but paused before calling her number.

“Hi! I just want to help her choose at least indirectly.” I explained and she sighed.

“I know! She doesn’t want to see me right now but I can stand far away and I will just contact you.” I added hoping she would be fine with this.

“What about the restaurant?” she asked after a few seconds.

“My chef helped me for breakfast and lunch and I can ask him for dinner preparations too.” I replied hoping Bharghav will be fine with it.

“Prathap! Will she feel happy if you leave everything and just follow her?” she suddenly asked while I frowned.

“What do you mean?” I asked clearing my throat.

“At present, you want to ignore your work to make her forgive you or at least to be there for her. Will she feel fine knowing that?” she explained and I paused after opening my mouth.

“I am not saying you shouldn’t try to solve these issues and be there for her. But you should make sure your work doesn’t get disturbed. She will feel guilty if she finds out later about this.” She added and I looked down understanding her words.

“And I know her more than you do. So, we both are enough to choose these things.” I sighed hearing those last words.

“You are right!” I mumbled glancing at the bedroom where she talked about these things so many times.

“Make sure to buy two dressing tables as she always says, it is difficult to keep all the things she needs properly on one. And also the cupboards should be in a way where she can separate her daily wear with special ones. She said it is a bit hassle and even the special clothes get crumbled whenever she tries to take out daily wear. And…” I stopped myself realizing I again forgot that Kanika must know all these things already.

“Why didn’t you tell her until now that you like her?” I got stunned hearing that question suddenly from her.

“What?” I asked trying to grasp her words and she calmly repeated the question.

“I… I don’t know!” I mumbled and realized I never told her that.

“These things need to be told you know. Maybe not when you are not honest but honest feelings must be expressed. Minds can be insecure enough to not understand them with just actions.” She continued and it looks like she is consoling me.

“I will not tell her about this but remember my words if possible. And I will try to contact you if I feel you will give a better opinion on the things we need to purchase.” Saying that she cut the call.

I stared at the phone for a while thinking about her words. She somehow voiced out the things that I was thinking from yesterday.

I was wrong to just focus on one thing and leaving her all alone there. I was going to do the same things today by leaving my work and going behind her.

And I didn’t realize that I never expressed how I feel about her. Before I was confused but she accepted that completely and later I took that acceptance for granted and didn’t do anything to voice out my feelings.

Gripping the phone, I stood up before stepping out of the room to reach the stairs and climbed down to find the staff ready to get the preparation started.

I passed the phone to the table which we are not going to use before starting the work while keeping an eye on the phone in between.

“It’s done! You can take it out.” I said nodding at the microwave and reached my phone seeing it blinking.

It turned out to be from Kanika and I immediately opened it to read, ‘The mattress you said will not match the bed size she is going to buy. So, she is thinking of taking another one.’

I stared at it before replying, ‘Why doesn’t she take a king-size bed and she can pick two mattresses. For that, it is suitable instead of the dimensions she is taking.’

‘The room is enough for a big bed, right?’ I immediately added.

‘Yes! Don’t worry! I decided to take the bed and mattress she picked and will be doing what you said.’ I smiled seeing it before returning to cook.

Like that Kanika and I continued to chat and I felt a sense of relief to be a part of this and help with something.

“Is it solved?” Deepak asked seeing my smile.

“It will be!” I replied while hoping inside for the same.

****

“Do you need any help?” I asked Bharghav on Monday morning when he started his preparations.

“No! I am in a good mood today.” He replied smiling.

“Why?” I asked frowning thinking why is everyone happy when I am like lost for two days and I don’t know for how many days more.

“That bastard who accused our Anny that she was in an affair with him and still got bashing after GH agency revealed the truth about that day. They should have released the picture of the actual woman who was with him but anyway, it got proved that Anny was nowhere near him. There are even a few colleagues of hers who talked about the same.” He explained and I felt happy hearing that.

I was a part of her fan club but I stopped checking any news because I felt I will not be able to control myself from bashing the people who are talking nonsense. But no matter what they may become her fans again and I may create a huge hurdle if I don’t control myself.

“Okay! Let me know if you need anything, as I will leave by evening itself.” I said walking out of the kitchen.

I checked the message again which I got from Kanika about the house registration they have in the afternoon.

I am thankful for her to give this information which is giving me some hope but I know, it is not that simple for me to let her forget what happened or even to forgive me.

“What are you doing here?” Vikranth asked looking at me when I entered his home in the evening.

“Didn’t they return?” I asked back.

Anitha said she will talk to me on Monday but I thought of not disturbing her until she registers her house as it will be affecting her.

“No!” he replied and I nodded sitting beside him while rejecting his maid’s offer to bring water.

“It’s already been nearly two weeks. When will your leg heal?” I asked staring at the leg he placed on the table.

“What is your problem?” he asked frowning and I immediately shook my head.

“Don’t mind! I am tired of all these things.” He explained and I slowly nodded.

I sat straight hearing the doorbell and wished to stand up and open the door but his maid is already on her way.

However, when the person walked in we both got shocked and she too stared at me in shock.

“What are you doing here?” I asked looking at Shrishti.

“Is Ms. Anny and Kanika at home?” she asked back and I shook my head.

“They will be back soon.” I replied and she slowly nodded while still standing there awkwardly and is not meeting Vikranth’s eyes.

Even he is just looking at the phone and is not even acknowledging her presence. To our relief, the bell rang again but this time it’s only Kanika who entered the house but stared at us with a frown covering her face.

“Kanika!” I said standing up feeling happy while all the three stared at me with surprised looks.

“Anitha is at her home right now unpacking her things.” She said understanding my unasked question.

“Oh!” I mumbled sitting down.

“I need to talk to her.” I mumbled staring at her.

“Me too!” Shrishti said raising her hand and we all stared at her.

“One Second!” Kanika said when her phone started ringing and she walked towards the dining area to talk.

Shrishti stood there for a few seconds before sitting on the chair near the couch while looking at the table.

I glanced at Vikranth before glancing back at her. Okay! This is more than awkward and only Kanika can help us out of this.

She returned and sat in the opposite chair of Shrishti’s before saying, “I am returning back after getting a few things from here. We both are celebrating the first day at her new home.”

“Is it fine for you to talk to her tomorrow?” she asked looking at me.

“I should be fine but I am not. I am already holding myself too much to not reach her out these two days and even today morning. Please, take me to her place. I need to apologize soon.” I pleaded with her while she stared at her phone.

After that, she glanced up to stare at the three of us and frowned before opening her mouth but immediately closed it.

“Take me there too. I will not disturb anyone but will leave after apologizing to her.” Shrishti said making us look at her except Vikranth.

“She doesn’t blame you.” Kanika said but she shook her head.

“It is my mistake too. Please!” Shrishti whispered before adding, “I will immediately leave without staying for a second after apologizing.”

“I need to catch a flight tonight and will not return for a few weeks. So, please take me there.” She added while I glanced at her but immediately looked away.

It must be because of her work otherwise she wouldn’t have said that she will return within a few weeks, right?

So, I turned to stare at Kanika along with Shrishti and we both somehow ended up showing pleading looks.

“Don’t mind them! They both always share the same tactics. Just do what you want to.” Vikranth finally talked and I turned to glare at him but Shrishti completely ignored him.

“Fine! Let’s go!” Kanika said standing up and we both immediately stood up but even Vikranth slowly stood up.

“It’s fine! I can handle this. You need to take a rest anyways. The maid will prepare the dinner and you can have it on time.” Saying that Kanika walked towards the door while he stared at her back with a frown.

“That’s why tactics are needed sometimes.” I whispered to him before following her and Shrishti followed me while he stayed back.

“I am sorry!” Shrishti whispered reaching my side.

“No! You didn’t do anything. I was wrong to not handle everything properly.” I whispered back.

She didn’t say anything but sat inside Kanika’s car while I drove mine following her car. I really hope I don’t make anything worse and be able to explain everything properly without hurting her anymore.