Chapter 44: Chapter 44

*Anitha Pov*

I found him separating the beds when I walked out of the washroom after freshening up. He smiled looking at me before sitting on the bed he is going to sleep on.

“You have an appointing tomorrow morning, right?” he asked checking his phone while I calmly walked to the other bed and sat on it.

“Yeah!” I mumbled staring at him and he nodded before putting his phone away yawning.

“Today was really hectic. You must be tired with all the talking earlier too.” I nodded at his words frowning.

“Prathap!” I finally called him when he was about to lie down.

“What is it?” he asked staring back.

“Did you get another strike because of that day?” I asked to clarify it even though I already feel it must be true.

“Yeah! But it doesn’t matter as I still have another chance. I knew that day it was an important celebration to attend but still, I missed it no matter for what reason. But I don’t regret missing it except for… for leaving you alone.” He replied looking down.

This… this expression is what I don’t want to see anymore on his face. Before I was fine with it as I was still struggling to stay mad but today I felt guilt in return.

When he rushed over like that worrying about my feelings, I couldn’t bear it anymore and that’s when I realized that I actually let the past go.

It was just a mistake from his side and it’s not like I will never be the one to do any mistake in our relationship. He knows that it’s wrong and he apologized along with making up for it by going to lengths.

If I am still cold towards him then wouldn’t it be just harsh and also not being honest to myself? How can I be like this when I actually love him? Isn’t that looking down on these feelings I have?

“Do you love me?” hearing my words he immediately glanced up to meet my eyes.

“Yes! I love you!” he replied without any hesitation.

“Please listen to me carefully, Prathap.” I started taking a deep breath while he frowned.

“Stop feeling guilty about that day anymore. Let’s just keep it past us and I will try hard to come over these nightmares too. I am already halfway through it because of these counselings and also… you. So, let’s forget about all this.” I mumbled and he shook his head hearing those words.

“Are you asking me to forget about us?” he asked leaning closer with a worried look.

“No! Let’s start fresh! Let’s start again and forget about everything before. Whenever I had a hard time in the past, I always thought I will have a person in my life soon who will be with me to share that hard time. When I found the person I love and who seems to love me back, I don’t want to get stuck to one thing and miss everything else.” I explained.

“A few weeks back I was not that confident to have a happy life with you because of what happened and also scared but now that fear left me somehow. So, for as long as we can be together I want to be happy. And that can happen only if both of us forget that day.” I added while he continued to stare at me without saying anything.

“Say something!” I whispered after waiting for a few seconds.

“You still love me?” that’s what he asked and I smiled nodding.

“Oh god! I thought you hate me now and will need so much time to at least like me again.” He added standing up with a smile covering his face.

“Did you feel that I hate you for my behavior?” I asked frowning.

“No! Because you are a good person, I thought you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me but still you must have hated me for what I did. I mean, any girl should do that. How can I just leave a girl alone on such a road? I am not even a man for doing that. I am so stupid for not thinking anything else and just rush towards one thing. I was always like this and never expected that I will hate myself for that trait of mine. I am trying to not rush and think clearly before doing or saying anything. I promise that I will never put you in that situation.” He just rushed out the words while staring at me and didn’t blink for a second.

“Okay! Calm down!” I mumbled holding his hands and he took a deep breath.

“Should I… should I move the beds back?” he asked after a long pause and I cleared my throat hearing that question.

“Let’s take each step slowly.” I replied letting his hands go and he nodded before stepping back to sit on his bed.

“Let’s sleep?” I asked lying on the bed and he followed me before switching off the lights on either side of the bed.

After a few seconds, I smiled hearing his snore which he doesn’t let out normally unless he is tired.

I want to feel guilty for making him so tired today but didn’t I just ask him to not feel that anymore then even I should forget what happened today and look forward to tomorrow.

I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep feeling relieved after a long time. Many thoughts left my mind and there is a sense of peace surrounding me.

****

“You seem to be more comfortable today, Ms. Anny!” The therapist commented while I smiled at her.

“I want to get well soon otherwise someone will feel bad.” I explained and she smiled nodding.

“Let’s not rush but still I would say we can cut the counseling sessions for just once a week now.” I nodded looking at her before leaving her cabin with my face covered as usual.

I smiled looking at him as he stood up the moment I walked out and we both left the hospital together in silence.

“You need to meet Vikrant, right?” he asked after we got inside my car.

“Yeah! Take my car with you to the restaurant.” I replied adjusting the seat belt.

“It’s okay! I will take a cab. My car is at the restaurant now.” He smiled but I shook my head.

“Anyway, I don’t have anything to do today after meeting with Vikranth regarding the contents of our renewal contract and also the talk about the movie for today as it’s the first day. So, you take it with you and return to my place to drop it later in the evening.” I mumbled and he stilled before slowly nodding while I looked away to hide my smile at his reaction.

“Why did you sign for just two years with him? I generally heard he signs the artists for three years minimum.” He asked after starting the car.

“I didn’t want to take my chance and take advantage of again. I didn’t know him at that time and felt two years is appropriate and he accepted.” He frowned hearing those words.

“Again?” he asked and I slowly nodded.

“The agency I was with before GH gave me a hard time and even took away my chance of getting a lead role three years back. I wanted to leave immediately but I signed with them for three years and there were still two years left at that time. Somehow Vikranth helped me to pay the compensation otherwise I would have been stuck to that place until last year.” I explained and he shook his head.

“Stupid people! They lost an amazing artist. But then we wouldn’t have met if not for their actions. Wait! Maybe we would have met because of Vikranth and Kanika.” He mumbled and I shook my head.

“Vikranth met Kanika because of me. Remember?” I pointed out and he slowly nodded.

“At first I was hesitant about their marriage but these few months I am happy for Kanika. Vikranth is a good person along with a businessman. She can finally ignore her earlier sufferings. The more I get to know Vikranth the more I am relieved.” I smiled while he cleared his throat.

“What? Jealous that I am praising him?” I added chuckling and he gave a hesitant smile.

“We are here!” he mumbled stopping the car and I turned to stare at him after removing my seat belt.

“Have a great day at work!” whispering that I leaned forward to peck his cheek and immediately got out of the car before he could react.

I can’t believe I am acting like this just from kissing his cheek when we already… well, we are starting fresh and it is not bad to feel everything afresh.

*Prathap Pov*

“Why are you smiling like that? I thought you will be mood off because of yesterday’s incident.” Deepak commented the moment I entered my… his cabin.

“Nothing! So, everything is settled about yesterday’s incident? Did the customer made an issue?” I asked sitting down on the couch I placed in his cabin a few weeks back.

He was against it but somehow I don’t want to go to my place anymore unless I am very tired from the work.

“No problem at all! He didn’t say anything and actually thanked our staff for taking him to the hospital.” I sighed hearing that while checking the notice they will be posting regarding this incident on the online site of our restaurant.

After this issue is handled, I returned to the kitchen as I will handling the lunch section for today because Bharghav is going to watch Anitha’s movie today afternoon.

He applied for this leave two weeks back itself and no matter how much I don’t want to cook today, I can’t force him back.

While cooking all I can think of is her words from yesterday night. Did she really forgive me and we are back together?

She wouldn’t lie and she was happy too from earlier expressions. It must be really true but I want to meet her soon and confirm it again from seeing her face.

I can’t believe she forgave me so soon but not against it also. I smiled and ignored everyone’s reaction to that smile while enjoying the moments of anticipation.

“The real estate agent we tried to reach to buy a new place is here.” Deepak commented when I stepped out of the kitchen after finishing the lunch section.

“I set the meeting for today?” I asked him frowning.

“Yes! I forgot to remind you.” He replied scratching his neck.

“Okay! You need to be there with me and if I forget any point regarding our needs, then please check that.” Saying that I walked into his cabin with him following me.

****

“What happened?” I asked frowning when I found her sitting on the couch with a sad expression in the evening when I reached her place after handling everything.

“Some people are commenting that my acting is not good.” She replied without looking up from the phone she is using.

“Oh!” I mumbled while thinking about what should I say to this.

I never concentrated on films before I met her and I definitely liked watching her on the screen but I am still lost over a few issues that people generally talk about.

“Bharghav took leave today to watch your movie. He looked so happy when he returned to handle the dinner section.” She lifted her head hearing those words.

“He liked it?” she asked and I nodded without hesitating as I heard him praising her continuously.

“Tomorrow come with me to the restaurant and check it for yourself. You don’t have to shoot tomorrow, right?” I asked and she nodded smiling.

“I was worried for a second. And somehow whenever I am reading comments, my eyes are attracting to the bad ones.” She mumbled and I smiled walking closer before sitting beside her.

“Don’t worry! I enjoyed it and never felt bore for a second. Your acting was really good.” I assured her by placing my hand over her shoulder and pulled her closer to me.

“You will of course like it as you are biased for my sake. But still happy that you liked it.” She whispered closing her eyes and shifted closer to hug me back.

“Love you, Anitha!” I whispered pressing my lips to her forehead and she smiled with her eyes still closed.

“And thank you!” I added to which she glanced up opening her eyes.

“Thank you! For not leaving when I asked you to.” She whispered smiling and I leaned over to kiss her lips which she didn’t reject.

I looked around remembering the servant while she lifted her head to whisper in my ear, “She already left!”

“I know you said we need to take baby steps but we can kiss, right?” I asked turning my head.

“I know I said that but just kiss? Let’s just forget my words.” Saying that she kissed me and I smiled kissing her back and pushed her back on the couch and we both don’t seem interested in stopping at all.