Chapter 37: Chapter 37

*Anitha Pov*

I sighed leaning back on the couch with a smile feeling a sense of comfort in a way even though I am sitting here alone in this big house.

“I have finished preparing dinner. Do you need anything else, Madam?” I heard a voice making me realize I am not alone for sure.

“No! You can go to your house and come back as per the timings my friend gave you.” I replied opening my eyes to see the helper Kanika hired after discussing with Vikranth.

She smiled nodding before walking away to leave and closed the door behind her. I need some time to get used to her presence and also the way she addresses me.

Kanika wished to hire someone who can stay back here to keep me company but I didn’t want that and she didn’t pressure me.

I closed my eyes again enjoying the silence while waiting for Kanika to return after getting the needed things for today’s celebration along with a pair of clothes to stay over for today.

Finally, the bell rang and I realized I need to give her a set of keys too so that she can come over whenever she wishes to.

I smiled opening the door only to freeze her standing with two unexpected people and my smile slowly disappeared.

I turned to glance at Kanika with a questioning look and she calmly mumbled, “They want to talk to you.”

I know I told him that we will talk on Monday but I was not thinking much while saying that. However, why is Shrishti here? What does she want to talk to me about?

“I…” I started but couldn’t say anything which made my friend clear her throat before gesturing me to move.

I took a step back and allowed them to enter but they just took a step inside but stood close to me.

“Whom do you want to talk with first?” Kanika asked and I immediately glanced at Shrishti.

“Okay! We both will sit here.” Saying that she gestured Prathap to follow her while Shrishti stood with me.

“My room?” I asked gesturing my finger and she nodded without saying much.

After we both walked into my room, she looked around saying, “I like the color.”

“It was already there when we bought it.” I replied and she looked down before turning around to stare at me.

“I am sorry, Ms. Anny!” she suddenly apologized making me frown.

“I shouldn’t have called him like that and trust me I didn’t know he was going to the party or even escorting you.” She added and I slowly nodded.

“I know! How can you know those things?” I asked and she immediately nodded before holding my hands.

“If I had controlled my emotions and not call him the moment I think of without caring about anything else, then all this wouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t have left you there and I already scolded him. He is stupid like that and not good at thinking in detail just like me. We both are always irrational and Vikranth is the one who is rational and always controls us. But when I found that he did something stupid because of me, I couldn’t control my emotions and ended up hurting you and maybe also Prathap.” For the most part, I was confused if I am honest.

“What did Vikranth do?” I asked wishing to know that as it may concern Kanika.

“He…” she opened her mouth and immediately closed it before saying, “I just want to say that Prathap and you are perfect for each other. I hope you blame me for this incident and forgive him at least later after he apologizes sincerely.”

“I heard… I heard you asking him to be a couple.” I mumbled not able to stop myself and she widened her eyes hearing that.

“That’s not at all a serious question from me. I was angry at him and was kind of mocking him and he was also so shocked that he let the phone fall from his hands. Wait! You were on the phone at that time? I am so sorry.” She pleaded while closing her eyes and her grip tightened on my hands.

“You don’t like him?” I asked trying to remove my hands from her grip.

“No! Even he doesn’t like me and maybe before he must have a bit but now there is not a single chance for him to like me.” She assured me.

“If you want me to say he is like an elder or even younger brother I can say that but I don’t want to use such words just to make you believe me. He is my best friend and that’s it.” She added staring at me.

“And I promise to not call him like that carelessly whenever I wish to and will remember that he has a partner and not disturb him. I will definitely try to deal with my problems or thoughts by myself.” She continued.

“Can you let go of my hands?” I asked to which she frowned and glanced down and immediately released them.

“Sorry!” she mumbled and I nodded while rubbing the spot where she really pressured too much.

“If Kanika had called me crying, I would have done the same. I never wished for your friendship to get spoiled. So, don’t think that whatever clash is between us is because of you. This is what you were used to all these years and I can’t complain about it near you.” I explained and she stared at me hearing those words.

“Then, what about him?” she asked frowning.

“It’s a matter between us. You need not worry about it.” I replied to which she opened her mouth and closed it.

“Okay! This is really between you both and I can’t say anything about that. I just want to say that he is definitely not the boyfriend material. He is not the type to invest too much energy in his feelings. Just like how he doesn’t try much to explain his Dad about his dreams and everything while calmly hearing the words from him because he doesn’t want to waste his energy much about it. And also like how he never tried to confess or even express it someway to me that he likes me.” She continued to diss him making me frown.

“However, I didn’t see that in him when it comes to you. You are the best partner for him and I feel like he is the same for you or at least I hope so. So, I hope you give him a chance.” Saying that she gave a smile before walking towards the door.

“I will be leaving the city tonight and may not have a chance to find out whether you both patched up or not. So, if I can’t control myself, I will give him a call only then.” She added.

“Where are you going?” I asked thinking worse as she is an emotional person and may have taken the guilt too much and ended up going away from her friends.

“Just for work! I will return after a few weeks.” She replied and I slowly nodded.

“You can call me Anny or Anitha. No need to be formal.” I mumbled and she smiled nodding and placed her hand on the knob.

“Wait! Don’t change your friendship because of me. I would hate that. You are not the reason for anything.” I said before she can open the door.

“I am not changing because of you. I just… I just feel like I am stuck to the teenage version of myself and wish to be independent and not be seen as weak anymore also. It is for my sake.” Saying that she opened the door and walked away while I stared at her back for a second before walking towards the bed and sat down.

She… she is really something but I didn’t wish to see it because of my jealousy. But I really don’t want to be the reason for any disturbances between them.

I sighed closing my eyes and rubbed my forehead while trying to not think much about her words regarding him but at the same time letting go of the bad feeling about her.

I groaned hearing a knock on the door and his voice calling my name. I need to deal with it today without running away again.

*Prathap Pov*

“What are they talking about?” I asked looking at Kanika as it’s been a few minutes since Anitha and Shrishti walked away to talk.

“She must be apologizing just like she did earlier in the car.” She replied patiently even though I already asked the question.

When we left Vikranth’s place, Shrishti joined her while I drove my car. Why did she apologize to Kanika? Then I remember their contract matter and slowly nodded.

“You know?” she asked seeing my reaction and I slowly nodded.

“Don’t tell Anitha right now. I asked the same from Shrishti.” She added and I assured her before glancing at the stairs and tapped the floor with my leg feeling nervous.

“You are upset with Vikranth?” she asked making me look away from the stairs.

“Truth to be told, I was surprised but didn’t think much about it as I was thinking about Anitha. And I am upset if I think about it.” I replied and she leaned forward.

“I am going to repeat the same thing I told your friend. If you are upset with him because he went through this contract marriage and also to hide it from you then you can go ahead. But if it is because of me like Shrishti said, then please don’t. In this whole thing, I am the one who got benefits, and that too at a huge level. So, don’t be upset because of me.” She explained while I stared at her.

“But you like Vikranth, right?” I asked and she immediately leaned back while her eyes widened.

“Why didn’t you confess to Anitha that you like her?” she asked clearing her throat.

“Because I was stupid.” I replied and she shook her head before closing her eyes.

“I am leaving!” we both heard a voice and turned to find Shrishti standing near us.

“I will drop you at your house.” Kanika said standing up.

“No need! I will catch a cab.” Shrishti said shaking her head but didn’t glance at me.

“I will go!” I said standing up and took a deep breath.

“Confess!” They both said at a time and I stared at them one after the other before nodding to myself and climbed the stairs.

“I just want to leave them alone for some time. I will drop you!” I heard Kanika’s voice but ignored it before knocking on the door.

“Anitha!” I mumbled her name before opening the door and found her sitting on the bed with her eyes closed.

“I am sorry!” I said closing the door and she opened them to stare at me.

“Why?” she asked and I frowned hearing that question.

“Why are you sorry?” she repeated.

“For rushing away the moment Shrishti called me. For leaving you alone on the road at night without thinking about your safety. And for taking you for granted without expressing my feelings in words.” I said without pausing and she just stared at me.

“You need not apologize for the first thing. Even I was worried after hearing her voice.” She mumbled and I slowly nodded.

“It is wrong to leave me or any girl like that on the road and that too at night.” She added and I again nodded.

“And you need not express anything at all. We are after all just a part of this fake scheme that will end within six months.” I immediately shook my head.

“No! This plan and all doesn’t matter anymore. I am with you because I want to and not because of this plan.” I said walking closer to her.

“What if I am with you because of this plan only?” her words made me stop from taking another step.

“My manager advised to just get the experience of dating without much trouble as we are known to everyone as an engaged couple and I need not worry about rumors which would have spread if I had dated anyone else before this thing or even after.” She continued staring at me and I stared back without saying a word.

“So, we just need to act for six more months and then it will finish after which we can go back to being strangers.” She added before looking away.

I continued to stare at her before walking closer and sat beside her on the bed saying, “I am sorry!”

She turned to stare at me hearing those words and I slowly wrapped my hands around her and hugged her while she sat still without moving.

“You don’t believe me?” she finally asked and I rubbed her back not responding to her question.

“I will not forget that day ever again. I will not forget it at all and will always feel sad while thinking about it and even more if you are near me. I may even end up hating you. I may also poke you all the time while bringing out that matter.” She whispered but I didn’t stop and she finally pushed me away.

“Don’t you understand?” she asked glaring at me.

“I deserve all those things if you do it.” I replied hugging her again.

“It was a wrong thing to do but it was worst to do to a person I have fallen in love with, Anitha.” I added but there is no reaction from her.

“And whenever you remember it, I will be here to apologize and hug you, no matter how many days or years has passed from this day on.” I continued and felt her relax a bit.

We sat like that in silence for some time with me hugging her while she just sat there in my arms.

“I am getting nightmares every time I am closing my eyes to sleep. I stopped having them a few years back but after that day they started again.” She suddenly said while I tightened my arms around her.

“I am sorry!” I whispered while hating myself to put her through all that.

“Didn’t you feel bad hearing this? You will continue to feel bad if we stay together. It is better to stop it.” She mumbled pushing me away but I didn’t budge.

“I am fine with all that.” I said and she sighed.

“I am not fine with all that. We will end up having more bad memories than good ones. I don’t want that and to not have that, it is best to just say goodbye on a neutral point.” She said pushing me away.

I stared at her but she is looking away at the wall over my shoulder. I placed my hand on her cheek while caressing it.

“I will wait! I will wait until I can try to make you forgive me and also make more good memories with me that can overtake that day’s memory. I will change my actions and correct myself.” She turned to stare at me hearing those words.

“Prathap! I am tired actually. I don’t want you to change and I don’t think any of us should change. So, let’s just end all this.” She mumbled placing her hand on mine which is on her face.

“I will change for myself and I will change to not lose an important person in my life. You are not making me change.” I assured her but she removed my hand before rubbing her forehead.

“Headache? Do you want something? I will go and get it. What about coffee?” I asked staring at her.

“Leave!” she replied staring at me.

“Please! Leave my home!” she added calmly and I stared at her feeling lost.

I don’t know what to say to her right now and what I can do to make her give me a chance. I expected her to be upset and even scold me and even hate me but this… this plan of her to completely give up on our relationship is not what I expected.

“I will go now. But you are still my girlfriend and the person I love. Don’t give up on me.” I mumbled leaning over to kiss on her forehead before standing up.

She looked away while I stared at her for a few minutes before turning around to leave her room.

I turned back to see her but she is again closing her eyes and I sighed before walking out of the room while closing the door behind me.

When I climbed down the stairs and opened the door, I found Kanika sitting on the steps and immediately stood up seeing me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked walking closer.

“I got back a few minutes ago but thought I will disturb you guys if I ring the bell.” She explained and I slowly nodded.

“What did she say?” she asked looking at me.

“So much! She wants to give up but I will do everything to assure her and not give up.” I replied and she frowned turning to stare at the door.

“The nightmares…” I started and she turned to stare at me saying, “Yeah! They are back and I am thinking of taking her to any psychiatrist. But we need to be careful because of her public image.”

“Kanika!” I said holding her hands and she nearly slipped from the stairs because of my action.

“What… what is it?” she asked looking at our hands.

“Please help me! I love her and regret everything. I want to take care of her and don’t want to lose her. I…” she cut me off shaking her head.

“I can’t help you. I am on her side.” She pointed out.

“Help me!” I pleaded and she cleared her throat before taking her hands away from my grip.

“I will just be a support to her and will never go against her wishes.” Saying that she walked away and entered the house as I kept the door open before closing it.

I stared at the door for a few seconds before walking towards my car and sat inside. I leaned back while thinking about what to do right now.

I can’t ask Manoj’s help as he will kill me with those looks if he finds out what happened and will never help me. And her new manager may spread the word as we don’t know how much she can be trusted.

I can only think of Kanika but she is completely against helping me. I tried to think more but opened my eyes hearing my phone ringing.

I picked it up seeing it’s Kanika while stepping out of the car thinking something happened but her words stopped me.

“I will help you.” I smiled hearing those words feeling relieved.

“My first help is that she doesn’t hate you.” Saying that she cut the call and I felt the hope inside while thinking of what to do from tomorrow.