Chapter 45: Chapter 45

*Anitha Pov*

I smiled looking at the picture he sent two hours back but I couldn’t check because of shooting at that time and he added this sad smile a few minutes back.

“Anny! We are going to have dinner together. Want to join us?” I glanced up hearing Lucky’s voice and my other co-stars ready to leave with him.

“No! I have a date. Let’s go another time.” I said locking my phone and he nodded smiling before walking away with others.

I rushed to change my attire and also remove my makeup before reaching my car and asked the driver to change the destination and dropped Mehtab on the way.

“I will give you a call if I need you to come back.” Saying that I walked inside the restaurant which is slowly filling up and waved at Deepak who seems to be in a rush.

“Where is he?” I asked and he calmly pointed to the kitchen.

When I opened the door but didn’t step in, I found him frowning at Bharghav but staying aside without disturbing others.

“What happened?” I asked slowly reaching him and he turned to show his frown covering his face.

“I want to cook the one I showed you again as they all finished it to have a taste of it but he is not allowing me.” He complained.

“Because we are busy today. Go away!” Bharghav commented frowning at him but his frown turned into a smile when he glanced at me.

“Let’s go home if you don’t have any other work. You can cook freely and I will also help.” I offered glancing at Prathap and he smiled nodding.

“Before that help me with something. I am stuck with two locations and I don’t know what to choose. No one is ready to choose one and this Bharghav even suggested to open at both the locations. He wants me to close my business before it even spread.” He shook his head and I nodded holding his head.

After we both got back together, he finally shifted to my place as he is appointing more staff and Deepak is getting busy with too much work, he gave up the room he used to stay in for Deepak and a few staff to rest if they wish to.

I miss not going there anymore but I have my own home to stay in and he is fine with staying with me.

I thought he will actually mind as it is my place and maybe like some people he will have this stupid pride speaking like how can I stay at my girlfriend’s place but he was more than fine with it. And that’s why I love him more than ever.

“So, you will be busy again after starting this branch?” I asked checking the details of the sites he has difficulty with choosing.

“Not completely! Deepak and Bharghav will completely handle this place while the people they both trained will handle the new one with me guiding them. However, they all will keep on training others for future branches.” He replied shrugging.

“Wow! My boyfriend is amazing.” I praised using amazed tone and he shivered.

“Don’t talk like that!” he mumbled rubbing his arms and I laughed nodding before trying to see the options properly.

“I heard there are many popular restaurants here and you will have too much competition from the beginning. And in the other area, the competition is less but it is mostly a residential area too so you may not completely have great profit. So, it depends on your goal.” I mumbled remembering the people I know suggesting the restaurants sometimes whenever we eat out or even takeaways we bring.

“Why don’t you ask Vikranth? He has a good judgment and he is your major investor too.” I pointed out.

“I don’t want to disturb him right now. He is busy with his new plan.” He mumbled and I nodded understanding that bit.

“Still, think of him as your investor and just a businessman instead of your friend. You both will benefit from this.” I said before standing up.

“Now, let’s go and buy the things you need. I am hungry and even missed the chance to have dinner with others to eat the dish you sent the picture of.” I added and he chuckled nodding.

We both left the restaurant in his car and I enjoyed every moment of the time I spent with him either the grocery shopping or even to see him cooking in the kitchen as usual and there is nothing new in it.

****

“Prathap! Your phone is ringing. Don’t let it disturb me on my free day.” I mumbled tapping on his hand which is around my waist.

“Sorry!” he whispered moving away and I sighed to drift off into sleep but woke up hearing the ringtone again.

“Prathap!” I shouted and he sighed tapping my shoulder.

“It’s your phone now.” I frowned before moving my hand to take the phone from the bedside table with my eyes closed.

“Vikranth is calling me while Kanika is calling you. I already cut the call from Vikranth. So, it’s better to pick up yours.” I opened my eyes hearing his words and accepted the call before turning on the speaker.

“You are on the speaker, Kanika. Is it urgent? Otherwise, I want to sleep.” I mumbled closing my eyes.

“Both of you join us for lunch, Anitha.” I frowned hearing those words.

“Urgent?” I asked opening my eyes and found it’s already past ten.

“Yes! You don’t have anything on your schedule today.” Vikranth’s voice reached us and I sighed glancing at Prathap who is frowning right now.

“And I heard you are taking leave today, Prathap.” He added before cutting the call.

“Is something wrong? Why are they calling us over like this?” I asked turning around to face him.

“I don’t know! Let’s go and see what it is about.” He replied shrugging and I sighed nodding.

“Sleep for some time. I will wake you up at eleven or something.” He added caressing my cheek.

“You will stay like this?” I asked pressing myself to his body with a smile.

“If you want me to.” He whispered and I got comfortable before drifting off into sleep with him caressing my back.

*Prathap Pov*

“We are going to apply for divorce tomorrow.” I coughed over the water I am drinking hearing those words.

“What?” Anitha and I asked at the same time hearing that from Kanika.

“We actually signed a contract marriage two years back and today is the last day for the contract to end.” Kanika continued and I glanced down hearing those words.

“What?” Anitha asked again and I understand her reaction.

“I shouldn’t have hidden it but I didn’t want you to think about all this and just concentrate on your career.” Kanika didn’t pause even seeing the reaction from Anitha.

“But I want you to know this directly instead of after everything is done.” She added while Anitha sat still and I glanced at Vikranth who is calmly having his lunch.

“Wait!” Anitha whispered shaking her head.

“I am confused!” she added and I placed my hand over her hand but she looks so confused which I can understand.

“However, we are not going to inform anyone and continue to act as a couple as it will trouble him regarding the business issues. Only you both will know about this matter for now.” Kanika continued while I frowned hearing those words.

“We wanted to tell Shrishti at the same time but she is busy right now with the engagement and everything. So, I didn’t call her over.” Vikranth suddenly talked.

“What?” I asked looking at him and even Anitha have the same expression.

“She is engaged! Uncle told me otherwise even I wouldn’t know. She didn’t contact me recently.” He explained while I sat still.

“Why didn’t she tell us? And who is the guy?” I asked leaning forward.

“Wait for a second! I know you want to know about Shrishti right now as you don’t seem surprised about their contract marriage matter but I am more concerned about that right now.” Anitha mumbled stopping me.

“I asked him to not tell you.” Kanika said leaning over to hold her other hand.

“So, all this is really true? Contract marriage? For two years?” Anitha asked shrugging our hands away before standing up.

“I will talk to you later after gathering my thoughts.” Saying that she walked away while I stood up to follow her.

“Don’t worry! She is just in shock.” Saying that I walked away and rushed to reach her side.

During the drive towards our place, she didn’t say a word and I kept quiet knowing well she must be upset with everything and confused too.

She sat on the couch after reaching the place and covered her face without saying a word while I stood closer while thinking about how to approach the matter.

“I am sorry!” I mumbled realizing it is better to start with this.

“Why are you apologizing?” she asked glancing up with a frown.

“I didn’t tell you about their contract matter.” I pointed out.

“I can understand, Prathap! It is their matter and you just followed her request. It is not your fault.” I sighed in relief hearing that and finally sat beside her before pulling her into my arms.

“Why didn’t she tell me? I am a bad friend, right?” she asked hugging me back.

“Of course not! You are a special friend to her and she didn’t want you to have too many things to think about.” I replied assuring her but she shook her head.

“I felt something was wrong from the beginning but I ignored all those things while trying to hide in a box. I thought no matter how it started, they seem to get along and I felt they are good together. Maybe I was not ready to handle that matter as she thought.” I sighed but didn’t say anything as I know she wouldn’t feel relieved unless she talks to Kanika about this matter.

“Okay! I will call Kanika over while you go and talk to Vikranth regarding Shrishti’s issue.” She mumbled letting me go.

“It’s okay! I will be here with you.” I offered but she shook her head.

“No! It is good if you are not here. We both will be able to talk freely and it’s nice that I gave leave to the servant today.” She said dialing Kanika’s number and I guess she is right if that’s what she wishes.

****

“Are you both really going to divorce?” I asked the moment I reached Vikranth’s place and found him sitting in his study room in silence.

“I guess! It is a simple process.” He replied glancing up.

“You are here for Shrishti’s matter, right? Even I don’t know any details and Uncle was not talking clearly too. I am thinking it’s business-related and that’s why none of the elders informed both of us knowing well we are against such things.” He added.

“But they won’t force her, right? I am sure they will not then why did she accept?” I asked before dialing her number.

“She is not picking my phone.” He stated and she is not picking mine too.

“I talked to her a few months back when Anitha’s manager gave birth and after that, I was busy with other things and she didn’t contact me also.” I explained and he nodded.

“Okay! For now, let’s talk about your matter.” I added leaning forward and he gave a surprised look.

“Why would I just care about Shrishti? You are my friend too and divorce is not a simple matter just like a contract marriage. So, do you really want this divorce and not try to have a normal marriage with her? I feel Kanika is a good match for you.” I pointed out and he smiled looking down but didn’t say anything.

“Vikranth!” I called him but he shook his head.

“It’s done! Let’s not talk about it. We need to contact Shrishti and make sure this is what she wants otherwise help her out.” He mumbled and I sighed hearing him.

“No one should know about your divorce? Not even the elders?” I asked and he nodded.

“They will not let this matter slide. I will inform them at the right time.” He replied and I sighed leaning back.

Seems like I am the one who is unfit as a friend for Vikranth and not Anitha. Why doesn’t he talk to me when I am open about most of my matters near him?

I don’t know what is going on with Anitha right now regarding her confrontation with Kanika. I hope at least they both talk clearly unlike here.

“By the way, next week your contract will end and you just got two strikes. Uncle will be unhappy about that.” Vikranth mumbled and that’s when I remember about the contract I signed with Anitha just a year back.

“Wait! Why does your contract end tomorrow if next week is your anniversary?” I asked frowning as Anitha was recently talking about what to gift them next week.

“That’s a long story. First, let’s talk about your matter. What do you want to do after the contract ends?” Vikranth asked brushing away my question making me frown.

“What is there to do? Nothing will change irrespective of the contract end.” I shrugged.

“Okay! I need to have a meeting about that soon with the team. I will pass your message and will talk to Anitha also.” He nodded while I glared at him.

He is talking about my issue without answering any of my questions properly regarding him. Sometimes, I really want to punch him.

“You can take my words as hers too. We are still together and there is not going to be any change.” Saying that I stood up to reach the books in the cupboard while thinking about everything that happened today. Today is really a big mess for both of our minds and I hope Anitha will be fine by the end of the day.