Chapter 43: Chapter 43

*Prathap Pov*

“I specifically mentioned to both of you to not let me have any work for today evening. You guys forgot that I need to attend the premiere?” I asked Deepak frowning while checking the dish Bharghav prepared just now which caused a problem for the customer.

“We will manage this matter. You just go!” he mumbled from the back while I ignored his words tasting a bite of it.

“Didn’t the customer mention any kind of allergic reactions he could have?” I asked standing up.

"No! We ask everyone to specify any such conditions and we did the same but he didn’t say anything.” Deepak mumbled.

“The staff that went with the customer just called. He seems to have an allergy to mushrooms.” Deepak’s assistant rushed to the kitchen area with the phone in hand.

“Why did he order a mushroom dish?” Deepak asked her frowning.

“He didn’t know! It seems the allergy effect increased over a period of time. So, before they didn’t think about this matter at all and ignored any kind of effects he had.” She calmly explained.

We both sighed in relief before I gestured Deepak to remove the plate while checking the time.

Everything was going fine and mainly when I found her posting those pictures of our moments with the baby last week, I thought there wouldn’t be any problem.

But the main day which would help me to show her that I will not let her go to these important events alone, a mess had to happen.

I was about to leave the restaurant but there were suddenly shouts from inside and found the customer gasping unable to breathe when I rushed to find the reason behind the noise.

I immediately rushed him to the hospital in my car with two kitchen staff members while making sure to keep the customers calm instead of making them worry.

Somehow, none of them abruptly leave the place but the looks of doubt were still present and I had to check the dish after calming the customers hoping there is not something wrong with the ingredients even though I know Bharghav wouldn’t do any such mistake but I just want to be sure and it’s my duty also.

“I am already depressed that I am not attending the premiere and now on top of that this tension. At least we escaped from any legal suit.” Bharghav mumbled finally after being silent from the moment this incident happened.

“Okay! Deepak will explain to the customers and hopefully, there is no negative impact on us. Now, I will take my leave if there is nothing else for me to do.” I said checking the time and they all nodded.

“Are you sure? Don’t take the pressure on yourselves. I think it will be better if I explain the matter.” I added frowning while having difficulty in deciding.

“Go!” Deepak and Bharghav shouted and I immediately rushed out of the restaurant only to realize I don’t have my vehicle with me.

At least I messaged her that I will be late but hope she didn’t leave on her own. Finally able to get a cab, I reached the agency and sighed in relief finding her sitting in the lounge.

“Sorry about that! Suddenly the customer fell down and he had some allergy issues and I had to stay back to handle it.” I rushed out the words the moment I reached her side after running to reach her side and she glanced up to stare at me.

“Sit down!” she mumbled patting the space beside her and I followed her words while she unscrewed the cap of the water bottle on the table.

After turning to my direction, she stared at me for a few seconds and passed the bottle and by that time my breathing also relaxed a bit.

After I took a gulp, she took the bottle and put the cap back on it before leaning back while I just stared at her.

“There is still time?” I asked her frowning.

“No! We are late!” she replied and I don’t know how to react to those words.

“Then… then why are we still sitting here?” I asked her and she finally glanced up hearing the footsteps and I saw her manager rushing to her side.

“Let’s go!” She said standing up after taking the bag from her hands while I frowned but we both walked out of the agency passing a few people present there.

“Are you upset?” I finally asked after we both sat inside her car.

“No! I am not upset!” saying that she turned to sit sideways and took out a tissue from the bag she is holding before wiping my face.

“What are you doing?” I asked her frowning.

“Why did you run inside like that after getting down from the cab?” she asked back but didn’t stop her movements.

“Because I was late and made you wait.” I replied and she frowned hearing that before taking out a makeup kit.

“Wait! Don’t do this!” I mumbled but she ignored me to apply a bit of make-up before nodding to herself.

“I took this course along with Kanika and even though she is best at it, I am not worst.” She mumbled smiling.

“Anitha! I am confused!” I mumbled holding her hand which is adjusting my hair.

“I expected you to say something about how I reached late or about that day or anything but not this kind of behavior.” I added and she looked down.

“Why don’t we talk after returning?” she asked lifting her head to stare at me and I nodded slowly thinking we are reaching the venue already and I don’t think I am ready to listen in a hurry too.

“Okay!” I mumbled nodding while staring at her as she started adjusting her dress and I finally managed to see her properly as all this time I was staring at her face and nothing else to capture her real emotions.

“Wow!” I whispered and she turned to stare at me hearing my voice.

“Your collar is crooked.” Saying that she shifted closer to adjust it while I placed my hand on her waist before pulling her closer.

“You look…” I started seeing her shocked expression because of my action.

“Sexy?” she asked when I didn’t continue and we both smiled after that but I wish to hug her right now and just go back instead of being in the presence of others at this moment.

“We are here!” We both moved away from each other suddenly hearing a voice and realized there is a driver who just watched our actions.

Or maybe not as it is kind of dark now after she switched off the car interior light after fixing my make-up a bit. She cleared her throat before taking a deep breath.

“After the movie, we will be going to a party at the GH hotel as a way of celebration with the crew and also people related to GH. If you are not fine then you need not attend.” She mumbled when we finally stopped but I didn’t get a chance as we need to get down immediately.

*Anitha Pov*

It’s not the first time I am seeing myself on a screen but this is the first time in India and that too not just as a side character.

Am I nervous? Of course! But somehow the majority of it was due to the fact that Prathap is watching it with me.

I remember him saying that he doesn’t have any interest in watching movies but he tried in the past for me. Still, I guess I want him to like it.

I wish Kanika is here with me but she is busy with her classes and she apologized for not being able to attend.

It’s fine for me! I know she will like it no matter how it is and I will watch it again with her later but now my whole concentration is on Prathap’s expressions while watching the movie.

“Why are you frowning?” I whispered when he suddenly frowned at a song.

“I am just coming to the terms of this being just a movie and not real. This is a romantic song.” He pointed out at the end and I smiled forgetting the nervous feeling I had and looked away only to freeze.

Wait! Kanika said she is not coming then why is she here with Vikranth? She could have told me her change of plans and then we could have come together.

I sighed shaking my head and smiled when she turned her head from the second row and met my eyes as it’s finally interval.

“Just a second!” I whispered to him before reaching out to Kanika after the people around us get up for the break.

“You told me you will not come.” I mumbled while she smiled holding my hand.

“Your acting is amazing, Anitha. It is surprising for me the way you improved yourself.” She said pulling me into a hug.

“There is still half of it left to watch.” I said but hugged her back.

“Are you coming to the party? Uncle will be there.” I heard Vikranth’s voice and turned to see him talking to Prathap.

“I am still thinking.” He mumbled back.

“No praise for me, Vikranth?” I asked looking at him and he turned to stare at me.

“I already know you will do well and that’s why I offered you to join my agency.” He replied with a straight expression.

“She asked you to praise her and not yourself.” Prathap countered hitting his shoulder.

“You will be there for the party?” I asked looking at Kanika and she nodded before glancing at Prathap.

“Is everything okay now?” she asked looking at him.

“Yeah! Everything is settled and it’s not a problem anymore. He just had an allergy about which he was not aware of.” He explained while I frowned thinking how does she know that.

“He called me earlier asking me to be here for you if he is unable to reach you in time saying you will be alone with no personal support.” Kanika explained after seeing my expression.

“That’s why you came?” Vikranth asked looking at her and she nodded without hesitating for a bit.

I held her hand seeing the way his expression changed after that and felt awkward realizing the amazing Vikranth is actually kind of jealous.

How cute! I thought smiling and we went back to our seats after the interval ended. I felt all the tension leave my body after talking to them and my mind is diverted to Vikranth’s surprising jealousy now.

“Why are you smiling?” Prathap whispered and I turned towards him in excitement to share what I just saw.

“Vikranth is jealous that Kanika came here because of you and not to spend time with him.” I replied and he frowned hearing that.

“I don’t think so! He always has that stiff face and must be thinking about the prospects for the agency and also about the new business he is starting to produce the movies.” He continued to give out reasons making me frown.

“Why are you saying all these things? What will happen if he is actually jealous?” I asked and he coughed before gesturing to the screen as the movie started.

I shrugged before enjoying the movie for this part and subconsciously leaned over him a bit while holding his hand with a smile covering my face.

****

“Are we going to talk now?” he suddenly asked when we both got inside the car.

Talk? I thought frowning and remembered what happened earlier when I saw him running to me after getting down from the cab.

His worry and the way he was scared of upsetting me actually made me feel bad and I realized this needs to stop right now.

However, now I don’t know how to bring that topic out and mumbled, “We need to go to the party, right? After that, we will talk about this.”

“I just want to know whether you are going to stop letting me be near you.” He suddenly whispered when the driver got inside.

“Of course not!” The reply came out automatically and he sighed smiling before sitting properly in a relaxed manner.

“My father will be there at the party.” He suddenly mumbled frowning and I glanced at him in confusion.

“Is there any problem?” I asked but he just shrugged without saying anything.

However, after reaching the venue and meeting the crew while he went to get me a soft drink, I ended up searching for him when he didn’t return even after ten minutes passed.

And then I found him getting class from his father at the corner of the party hall while his mother is trying to stop this.

“You actually got two strikes and still confidently saying that you will never leave the restaurant? Just one more mistake from your side and then it’s done. You will be joining the company the next day.” I froze hearing those words.

“Dad!” Prathap glared at him.

“Then why didn’t you attend the party when you know you are the chief guest and to top of that a scandal that nearly brought doubts to the doorstep regarding this engagement.” He continued.

“Prathap! Mr. Vikranth is calling you to meet some people.” I said reaching their side and gestured him to leave which he did after nodding at me.

“Did you see it, Pramod? She likes him so much to help my son escape from your harsh words.” Aunty said smiling at me.

“Leela!” he mumbled her name but she ignored him before walking away saying she saw her friend but not before showing me a thumbs up.

“Don’t worry about my wife’s words. She is not accepting that all this is a scheme but thinking you both will be together. I heard positive reports about your movie. Congratulations!” without giving me a pause to say anything he walked off while I frowned at his words.

“Hey!” my thoughts paused when Prathap reached my side passing a glass of cold drink.

“I made sure it’s a cold drink and even took a sip.” He whispered and smiled shaking my head.

“I need to hold a champagne glass later as I shouldn’t let everyone know about my problem.” I whispered back.

“You hold it and I will drink it for you.” He assured me and I cleared my throat hearing that.

“Then what about future parties?” I pointed out.

“I will try to accompany you as much as I can or will try to hire someone just to drink those to help you.” He shrugged and I chuckled nodding.

I know all that is actually not going to take place but it feels good to just hear about it. I leaned closer to him until I need to go and stand with the crew when the director and other artists started giving their speeches.

“Thank you for giving me good memories for my first movie here and also for giving me hope to continue like this.” I kept it simple before walking towards Prathap who is yawning.

“Tired?” I asked and he nodded smiling.

“From morning I helped Bharghav as he was sad to miss the premiere and somehow that incident happened and the tension mixed with it to reach you.” He shook his head still smiling.

“Let’s go!” I held his hand while he frowned.

“Is it fine to leave now?” he asked and I nodded as I saw Vikranth and Kanika already leaving the place along with Prathap’s parents and also the people from GH.

Now, the crew will stay back to enjoy freely without any other person extra from the crew as far as Lucky explained.

“Okay!” he nodded and I wished everyone again before informing a few about leaving and finally we left the place.

After we reached my place, he got down along with me and let the driver leave saying, “I will just take a cab.”

“We need to talk, remember?” I asked staring at him.

“Yeah! But you look tired. We will talk tomorrow.” He replied smiling and turned to leave when we reached the main door but I held his hand stopping him.

“Stay!” I whispered and he turned back to stare at me.

“Stay here tonight!” I added and he just continued to stare at me without making a single sound.