Chapter 38: Chapter 38

*Anitha Pov*

The moment he closed the door behind him, I covered my face while finally letting go of the tough exterior I was trying to portray.

Why didn’t he believe those words? Why did I say those things in the first place? Didn’t I decide to have a normal discussion and express how I felt and everything?

But that just ended up into a mess that I never anticipated. Did I just want to hurt him or something with those words?

I don’t know! Maybe I was just trying to escape from confronting him and use these words as an excuse.

When did I become such a coward? I took my hands away to rub my arms still feeling the presence of his warmth.

If I say that even in these conditions, his hug comforted me, would it be wrong? I frowned but wished to hold onto the warmth even more.

“Are you okay?” I glanced up to find Kanika standing near the door.

“I… I ended up saying the things that could have hurt him.” I said and she frowned hearing that.

“But he ignored those things and actually tried to console me.” I added expressing my surprise regarding that action of his.

“And?” she asked walking closer to the bed.

“And I felt comfort even after everything. I am sad about his actions but I actually felt comfortable with his words and his hug. Is something wrong with me?” I asked her back and she cleared her throat.

“Nothing is wrong with you. You love him and it doesn’t just go away like that. Take your time to understand what you want and what you wish from him and then take any decision. Don’t think that something is wrong with you just because you can’t be detached from your feelings for him completely.” She replied smiling.

“Go and freshen up. We will have our dinner. And I forgot to bring spare clothes.” She added and I stood up nodding.

“I have some nightwears which I didn’t wear even once. You can have them and they are suitable for you too as they are kind of extra size and will be good for your height.” I mumbled.

“You are not that shorter than me.” She pointed out.

“But still our body types are different and you will feel uncomfortable with my clothes generally, right?” I asked and she nodded after which I walked into the washroom to wash my face.

When I stepped out, I found her placing her phone on the bed and turned to stare at me. I frowned seeing her expression but she calmly asked about my clothes and I immediately searched for the ones I talked about before passing them to her.

“Thank you!” saying that she walked into the washroom while I walked out of the room to take out the plates for both of us.

“Her cooking is good, right?” Kanika asked taking a bite from the food and I gave a slow nod hearing that.

She stared at me with a curious look after seeing my response and I cleared my throat saying, “It’s good!”

“Do you need to go anywhere tomorrow?” she asked nodding at my words.

“Yes! The promotions started and tomorrow we will be going to a mini-event near the mall. After that, there is an interview and then I need to go to your husband’s office to take the new scripts he already narrowed them to a few.” I replied finishing the dinner.

“Have some more!” she said gesturing another dish.

“No! I am full already. And I placed the second set of keys on the table. Don’t forget to keep them with you. Anyway, we are thinking of changing the lock system into the electronic mode and at that time we need not use these keys but until then keep them with you.” I said gesturing the keys.

“Okay! Don’t mind me if I come here sometimes without informing you.” She mumbled and I sighed.

“I already told you that this is our home like we decided long back. I know you already have a home with Vikranth but this is still your home. You can think this as your maternal place.” I pointed out making her smile.

“Maternal home?” she asked shaking her head.

“Yes! So, don’t think of this is just your friend’s house.” I replied smiling and she slowly nodded.

“Okay! I will take that privilege.” She said smiling and gestured me to leave the plate which I lifted to clean it.

“Let me do it! You need to go and rest early. You have a hectic schedule tomorrow.” She added standing up.

I kept quiet to her words as this is what I asked for when Vikranth told me to meet him later as the events are too many for tomorrow.

I need to be busy to come over these thoughts. I smiled still sitting there to keep her company.

“Why are you starting a new project this soon? Why don’t you take a break?” she asked finishing the dishwashing.

“I already spent so much money on this house and other things. If I don’t start earning then I will be in trouble.” I pointed out.

“This is a good investment too.” She said gesturing around.

“I know! But still, I need to feel safe I guess by having more savings.” I explained.

“I understand! I am trying for the same.” She mumbled making me frown.

“Let’s go!” she added smiling and I opened my mouth to ask her but then again closed it realizing it is better to wait until she is ready to confide.

****

“Thank you!” I said greeting the staff after finishing the interview and turned to find the other crew members also finishing their greetings.

“How have you been?” Lucky asked reaching my side as when the interview started, none of us had time to communicate with each other.

“I am fine! You?” I asked giving a polite smile.

“You handled those questions pretty well. Don’t worry about them. They will get over it after something else happens.” He assured me and I smiled nodding.

Earlier, in between the interview, the host started diverting the questions to that night. But I just stick to the words I said that day at the party without giving away anything else.

“By the way, I am part of NK Agency and they are going through hell right now for the case your agency made.” He mumbled when we started walking towards the makeup area.

“I don’t want to apologize.” I said frowning.

“I am not asking you to. If the allegations are true then they deserve it.” He assured me.

“I was a part of that agency before joining GH. I had to cancel my contract with them and even pay the fees for breaching the contract.” I explained.

“I never saw you there. I was part of it for a long time.” He mumbled frowning.

“I was always with the beginners and finally had a chance to get a big chance where I could have got a name in the industry but…” I trailed off realizing I am sharing too much.

“It’s okay! You need not share it with me.” He said smiling and I sighed in relief.

“So, I will be on no one’s side except for the wrong ones to get the punishment.” He added and I smiled nodding.

“If they are wrong then I may change my agency too. All the top ones are already leaving it.” He said frowning.

“You can join GH. I will recommend you near Mr. Vikranth by giving some favorable descriptions of you.” He chuckled nodding.

“Bye! I am going to be late if I don’t leave now.” I added glancing at Mehtab waiting for me.

He nodded smiling after which I reached her and get my makeup removed before walking out of the broadcasting station in a hurry.

“You could have taken a leave.” I mumbled looking at Manoj checking his phone when I reached the car.

“She is fine! And this is my job. We can’t take advantage just because you don’t treat us completely like your employees.” He pointed out and opened the door for me.

I sighed sitting in the car while leaving back feeling tired with all this and finally reached the agency and found Shalini walking out of the entrance.

I ignored her to continue to walk but she stopped me saying, “How are you, Anitha?”

“I am fine! I need to go inside otherwise Mr. Vikranth will scold me.” I mumbled not even looking at her.

“Hi!” We both turned hearing a voice only to stare at him in surprise along with her.

“Gaurav?” we both said his name at the same time before looking at each other.

“I am part of GH for the past few weeks.” He explained and we again turned to look at him.

“Right! I am going to be late.” Saying that Shalini rushed away with her manager following her while he stared at her without looking away.

He turned back to stare at me while I cleared my throat asking, “And you are here because…”

He cut me off saying, “Because I got fed up with the one handling NK now and decided to join here.”

“Why here?” I asked frowning.

“Because this is the best right now. And not just me but many are transferring here the moment their contract is getting expired.” He replied smiling.

“Okay! Which artist are you handling?” I asked hoping he doesn’t get assigned to me as I am already feeling awkward to even have this conversation but I want to make sure I am nowhere the reason behind his sudden appearance.

“At present no one as I am getting used to the atmosphere but I will soon within a week. And it’s not you.” He added the last words smiling.

“Don’t worry! I am not here for you. I am here for the competence of this agency and also for…” he trailed off and I slowly nodded realizing he is looking at the way Shalini just walked off.

“You couldn’t have been like this at that time. Unnecessarily all that happened and I even lost my friend.” I frowned while he sighed hearing those words.

“You can still be her friend. Looks like she is trying a bit. Why don’t you forgive her? Sometimes mistakes happen and she was so focused on her feelings and didn’t think about yours. I am sure she will never do it again. Give her a chance and see.” He mumbled while I kept on thinking about Prathap hearing those words.

“I am getting late.” Saying that I walked away leaving him there but his words followed me.

“I will decide after checking them.” I said nodding at the scripts he passed.

“Or you can wait until the film gets released and you may get better ones than these.” Vikranth offered.

“Then I need to wait for one more month for the film to get released and then wait for the offers.” I pointed out.

“It’s fine to take a break.” He said leaning back.

“I got surprised when you asked me to come to the agency instead of your house or this meeting. Kanika didn’t say anything about you coming to work at all.” I mumbled looking at his plastered hand and the clutches on the side of the table.

“Because she didn’t know.” He mumbled and I frowned at her.

“Are you both okay?” I asked to which he frowned back.

“We are at the agency and it was decided that we will not be personal during office hours.” He replied in a cold tone and I immediately shifted to be away from the table instead of leaning closer.

“I will go and check these.” I said standing up while holding the files.

“Prathap is feeling guilty for everything. Give him a chance to repay for his actions.” He said stopping me.

“These are office hours.” I pointed out before walking away while holding the files with a tight hold.

What do they want me to say or do? When I am not even sure about what I am angry or even sad at the events that happened that day. For now, I need to get over these nightmares before I can think about anything else. Otherwise, these will just cause disturbance for my daily life.

*Prathap Pov*

“Why are we having an emergency meeting?” Deepak asked looking at me while I stayed silent waiting for the staff to gather around in the cabin.

“I will just keep it short. Deepak is going to be the main manager who will handle the things and we will be hiring an assistant manager soon to help him out.” I said making everyone clap while Deepak stared at me in shock.

“Bharghav will train the sous chef from today on and they both will be handling not just the five days in a week but the whole week.” I added and this time they all stared at me in surprise.

“Yes! There are not going to be any special weekends and I will be managing the restaurant and in middle may involve myself if Bhraghav wants to rest. And also, I will be concentrating on the innovation of new dishes.” I explained while Bharghav frowned at me.

“What about the new branch?” Deepak asked frowning.

“Exactly! All these changes are mainly for that. After you train the new assistant manager, he will be handling the new branch and the same goes for the sous chef.” I replied and they all gave happy expressions except for Bharghav and Deepak.

Everyone left except for them and I calmly sat down to deal with them and the first one to speak is Bharghav.

“Are you doing this just to make up for Anny? She will not like it if you give up your work for her.” He pointed out.

“I want to make up for her but of course I will not do it by making myself unhappy. I realized recently that I am involving too much with other people’s work and not letting them develop. If we continue like earlier, then we can’t make it with the new branch. So, I am making these changes.” I explained.

“And Deepak has been handling everything but he still had to ask me everything even though he is already good at it. In a sense, I am disturbing his growth. He can’t always think that I will be here to correct the mistakes he makes. He should go on his own.” I added glancing at Deepak.

“Okay! I am happy now.” Bharghav said nodding before leaving the cabin while Deepak stayed back.

“Are you not happy?” I asked frowning.

“I am nervous!” he replied and I sighed nodding.

“I can understand but I know you are capable of it. So, do you have any preference from the staff who could be an assistant?" I asked staring at him.

“Yes! She helped me before but she generally handles the things in the kitchen.” He replied frowning.

“It’s okay! Have a word with her and if it’s fine, then she can be a part. Otherwise, I will hire someone by my choice.” I said before passing the file I prepared.

“I have noted down everything that needs to be taken care of along with the places where we need to get the ingredients. I know you already know a few of them but make a note of all of them.” He nodded taking the file before turning to leave.

“Where are you going?” I asked stopping him.

“To go and check these in the staff room.” He replied frowning.

“Sit here! This is your room from now on.” Saying that I stood up and collected my things before walking to the side of the table while he just stood there to stare at me.

“What?” I asked and he immediately moved to sit on the chair.

“Get used to it and you can ask me for doubts or any help.” Saying that I walked out of the room feeling good to make these changes in my life.

If I wanted to be just a chef, then I would have joined a restaurant and be a chef of it. However, I want this restaurant to be taken to new levels and also grow the business.

I will be lying if I say, all this has nothing to do with Anitha but I am not making these changes just for her too.

I glanced at the text from Kanika smiling as she just messaged me saying Anitha had a hectic day today and may need some comfort food.

I placed my things at my place before going back to the restaurant and entered the kitchen while deciding on the dishes I will prepare for her.

I am sure these will give her comfort but also relax her a bit. I smiled before finishing them and watched Bharghav who is training others along with cooking for the dinner.

“Are you leaving?” Bharghav asked seeing the packed food.

“Yeah! Just give me a call and support Deepak. He is nervous about this change.” I replied and he gave a nod.

After driving to her place, I walked to the door and rang the bell. Someone opened the door and stared at me frowning.

Yesterday, Kanika already talked to the watchman when we came here and that’s why he didn’t stop me today but I didn’t see this helper yesterday.

What should I tell her? I thought staring at her but she suddenly smiled before gesturing me inside.

“Do you know me?” I asked her frowning.

“Of course, Sir! You are Madam’s fiancé.” She replied and I stared at her in surprise.

“The Agency already gave me the list of people who are close to Madam and who can be allowed inside.” She added.

Vikranth! I owe you one for this. I smiled at her while walking inside and asked her name.

“I brought dinner to her. Where is she?” I asked looking around.

“Madam didn’t return yet. And I was about to start preparing the dinner.” She replied and I nodded at her.

“Madam asked me to leave after preparing dinner every day. So, I can leave?” she asked and I immediately nodded.

After she left, I walked to the dining area and started arranging the food properly before walking towards the couch and sat on it.

Today was a hectic day for me too while doing all the new arrangments and also to make those files ready to pass them to Deepak. At least my work will reduce from tomorrow onwards and I can concentrate on new dishes and Anitha.

I yawned checking the time and saw it to be still eight only before leaning back and closed my eyes feeling the eyes burning a bit after sitting before the sitting longer than every day.

I frowned feeling someone pushing my shoulder and opened my eyes to see Anitha standing there with a frown covering her face and she stopped waking me up.

“What are you doing here?” she asked stepping back.

“I brought dinner for you. Did you go to shopping?” I asked looking at the bags in her hands.

“Why are you bringing dinner for me?” she asked looking around.

“She already left! As I brought dinner, I asked her not to prepare.” I replied standing up.

“Who are you to decide that? And how can she allow you inside?” she asked frowning while taking out her phone.

“Because she thinks I am your fiancé just like everyone.” I replied and her hand paused hearing those words.

“Please leave! And don’t bring any food or do anything for me.” Saying that she turned away to leave.

“I know, I shouldn’t be here after everything. But have some food at least. It will be a waste to not eat that food.” I pleaded and she paused hearing those words.

“I will not say a word. Just have the food.” I added and she finally turned around to stare at me.

“Not a word!” saying that she dropped the bags on the table and walked towards the dining area and washed her hands while I continued to stand near the couch.

She stared at the dishes before asking, “You had dinner?”

I smiled hearing that and walked towards the table before sitting opposite her while she stared at me.

I pressed my lips together and made a zipping gesture after which she served food on her plate and started eating and I followed her.

I continued to stare at her in between and found her enjoying it and that just made me sigh in relief.

“Thank you!” she whispered after finishing it but didn’t glance at me.

I nodded without saying a word when she glanced at me not hearing a sound. She stood up to take care of the utensils but I beat her to take them away and started washing.

“Don’t! I will do it.” She said following me but I kept quiet.

“I said…” I cut her off by turning to stare at her and pointed her towards the living room and she frowned staring at me.

“Don’t come here from tomorrow.” Saying that she turned to walk towards the living room but without staying there, she took the bags and climbed the stairs deciding to not even stay here.

I sighed finishing the task and walked out of the kitchen, to find her still not coming downstairs but I checked my phone to see her message from a few minutes back.

‘After washing them, please leave. The door gets locked automatically and also switch off the lights before leaving.’

She doesn’t want to see me at all and must have decided to stay in her room only. I sighed staring at the message before glancing at the stairs.

No! I should at least tell her good night before leaving. With that thought, I started climbing the stairs and knocked on the door before opening it.

I got stunned while looking at her sleeping form trembling and I rushed near her before placing my hand on her shoulder saying, “Anitha! It’s okay!”

“Mom! Dad! Don’t be there!” she whispered holding my hand but she didn’t wake up from her nightmare.

“Anitha!” I whispered sitting beside her sleeping form but her tears started to flow.

I felt scared seeing her like this but controlled my own emotions while slowly caressing her hair whispering, “It’s fine! Everything is fine!”

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and stared at me with those teary eyes saying, “I…”

“Shh! Don’t say anything!” saying that I shifted to lay down beside her on the corner and pulled her into my arms.

“Leave!” She whispered pushing me away.

“I will! I will leave the moment you sleep.” I promised her by pushing one hand under her neck to hold the back of her head and calmly caressed her back.

“I will be fine!” she mumbled without pushing this time.

“Forget everything and just sleep.” I said hugging her carefully to leave a bit of space between us and felt relieved when she closed her eyes.

After a few seconds, she leaned closer with her hand holding my shirt tightly and I started whispering, “It’s Okay! Everything is fine! I am here!” again and again.

Finally, she drifted off into sleep, and I know I should leave as promised but I stayed for a few more minutes and whispered, “I am sorry!”

With a lot of reluctance, I untangled myself from her without disturbing her and got down from the bed.

I couldn’t help but stare at her for sometime before walking out of her room and left her home while messaging Kanika to ask about the psychiatrist they are going to contact regarding Anitha’s treatment.

Adding to that I requested Kanika to inform me about that so that I can be of some help for this. I sighed sitting behind the wheel and with a lot of hesitance, started the car before driving away after nodding at the watchman who nodded back. I will here again tomorrow and every day and hopefully, she will not just throw me out and be patient like today.