Chapter 12: Chapter 12

*Shrishti Pov*

‘What is this?’ is the only thought running through my mind after seeing the lines on the file that is present before my eyes.

Is this some kind of prank? I thought by turning the pages and found that it has an official seal at the end of it.

Contract marriage? I frowned letting the pages fall back in its place but my hand froze looking at the words in the middle of these pages.

I… I… my hands started shaking looking at those words and I gasped before leaving the file alone and stood up in shock.

I stared at that file in a daze before sitting down and opened it again to read the words while hoping all this is not true.

“Where are you going without helping me? What will you do if I catch a cold?” I heard those words after a few minutes and turned to find both of them walking inside from the back door.

“Wait here while I get a towel for you.” She mumbled reaching the living room and paused when she found me sitting there while staring at them.

“Shrishti?” she called frowning and I turned to find Vikranth walking closer and paused hearing my name.

“Is something wrong? When did you return?” he asked in a normal tone staring at me while my eyes blurred with the tears forming in them.

Is he really the one I know all these years? How can he do these things? He is always the person who protects everyone around him and helps them but this… this… I don’t know what to think except to wish that this is not true.

“This is not true right?” I asked lifting the file in my hands and they both froze which cleared my blind faith in him.

“Shrishti!” he mumbled taking a step with the help of his crutches and I slowly stood up before gesturing him to sit down.

His wife helped him as they both are wearing wet clothes right now and he could slip. I gestured the file again asking, “Why?”

“You need not care about it.” He stated staring at me with a straight look.

“I need not? I always thought of you to be one of my family members. I need not care about it?” I asked trying to control my tears but they slipped before I can push them away.

“Don’t think about this, Shrishti.” He mumbled looking down.

“You tell me! What is the reason for this, Kanika?” I asked looking at her but she just stared at me.

“Right! Didn’t he put some condition that if you ever say anything about this contract to anyone then you will be punished by legal charges? I shouldn’t have asked you.” I snorted shaking my head.

“Are legal charges your favorite part, Vikranth? If she talks to us or makes us feel uncomfortable or even do something which you ask her not to do, you will push legal charges on her? Is it that simple for you to control someone like this?” I shouted throwing the file on the table.

“She is a living person, dammit. How can you put these conditions?” I asked leaning over to catch his collar.

“Why? Why did you get into this contract marriage? Why did you control her all this time? She has been living like this for more than a year. Are you really the Vikranth I know? How did I end up liking…” I cut my words before letting go of his collar.

“It’s not like that, Shrishti.” His wife… Kanika said reaching my side to hold my hand.

“Not like that? All this time Aunty and I along with Prathap were thinking you were just a rude person to not try to talk to us or even get involved as a family. We were rude to you in return but everything was because of this man here, right?” I asked turning to look at her.

I covered my face and knelt down not having the strength to stand anymore feeling the pain increasing every second.

“Why Vikranth? Who made you take this step? I don’t remember Uncle ever forcing you to get married or anyone else. Why?” I shouted the last word and coughed placing my hand over my heart while she knelt beside me to pat my back.

“Calm down!” He mumbled from his place.

I closed my eyes not wishing to cry but all this doesn’t make sense. Vikranth can never do that but everything is in the open right now.

“Tell me right now, Vikranth. Who forced you?” I shouted lifting my head to stare at him while Kanika sighed beside me.

“I… I… liked you, Vikranth. I liked you all these years because of your nature of protecting others and your compassionate nature. Was it all fake?” I asked staring at him and he turned to stare at me with a calm look.

“You… you knew?” I asked in a whisper realizing he didn’t look shocked with my words.

“When? When did you find out?” I asked still in shock with this new matter.

“From the beginning! I tried to make you give up when I went on dates with other people but you didn’t. And I… I…” he need not finish it.

“All this is because of me?” I asked in a whisper staring at him and he didn’t say anything to correct me.

“Because of me?” I asked turning to stare at her and she stared at him before glancing at me with a nod.

“Vikranth! I am asking you something.” I said reaching his side and he stood up from the couch.

“Yes! It’s because of you. I didn’t want you to like me and that’s why I entered this contract marriage.” He stated without an inch of emotion on his face and I slapped him hearing those words.

“Who am I? Who the hell am I that you need to ruin your life like this? I am just your friend, Vikranth. All you could have done is just reject me directly and I would have entirely forgotten you and would have stayed as your best friend. Who told you to do this stupid thing and involve her like this? She can’t even share this with her friend. Isn’t that your first rule? Didn’t you think about her?” I shouted pushing him away and he fell back losing his balance.

“But not just because of you.” She added and I frowned hearing those words while brushing my tears away.

“Prathap liked you at that time and he… he just wanted to give both of you a chance.” She explained staring at me.

“What?” I asked staring at her with a frown.

“Do you even know what you are saying? Prathap liked me? Vikranth knows all this and that’s why he ruined both of your lives by entering this contract for Prathap and I?” I asked laughing before taking my hand away from her hold and stood up.

“What are you? A god?” I asked staring at Vikranth still laughing and crying in the next second covering my face.

“Calm down!” Kanika whispered from my side.

“I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry!” I repeated the words not looking at anyone before turning away to leave.

I rushed out of their house ignoring them calling me but paused at the door and turned around saying, “I am fine! I just hope I was not such a bad friend for whom you had to take these steps.”

With that, I left their place and reached mine feeling uncomfortable in the chest area and my breathing reduced.

My tears didn’t stop with the words on that contract roaming in my mind. I… ended up hurting those two people. It’s all because of me. The guilt is killing me and the sadness thinking how he hurt her with those conditions pushing me more and I reached my home wishing to see Dad.

I glanced around and found no one present and realized I didn’t mention to Dad that I will return today.

I took out my phone and ended up calling Prathap as he would be the only one not involved with this celebration in the company.

I gasped kneeling on the floor near the couch and waited for him to pick up the call but he just cut the call.

Please pick up, Prathap! I pleaded with him before calling him for the third time and he finally picked it up.

I pleaded with him to come to my place as soon as he can before cutting the call as my words stopped in my throat.

“No! No! Don’t…” I pleaded to myself to not get another panic attack like this.

I got startled hearing my phone ring and picked it up asking, “Please come home.”

“Shrishti? What happened?” I closed my eyes and tried to take a deep breath realizing it’s Nitish on the other end.

“Nitish! I… I can’t breathe.” I whispered holding my chest tightly.

“Shrishti! Is anyone there near you?” he asked in a panicked tone.

“No! I… I called my friend.” I replied and he paused for a second before saying, “Shrishti! Think… think about something other than what you are thinking right now. The… the beach… we went for the beach so many times, right? Wasn’t that pleasant? And… and remember my scared face? I don’t think I would have stopped myself from screaming that day if not for you.”

He continued to talk about the trip and after a few minutes, I calmed down before saying, “Thank you!”

“It’s better if you go to the hospital.” He mumbled but I shook my head before standing up to sit on the couch.

“I will be fine.” I assured him and he continued to talk while assuring me that I am fine at the same time.

“Thank you!” I whispered when he stopped talking.

“I am sorry for scaring you like this.” I added realizing it must have scared him too because of which he talked so much.

“It’s fine! You can continue to talk to me.” He offered but I heard the car sound which could be Prathap.

“My friend is here… I will call you again. Thank you, Nitish!” saying those words I cut the call while waiting for Prathap to enter the house.

The moment I opened the door and saw his face, my tears didn’t stop again while he thought I called him here because of my feelings for Vikranth.

“He hurt so many people…” I whispered when he asked me whether Vikranth hurt me.

If everyone finds out then they will be hurt because of his actions. Why didn’t he think about the result of his actions at all?

When he asked me to wash my face while he will prepare for some coffee, I stood before the mirror and remembered Kanika’s words.

Prathap liked me? Why didn’t he say all these years? And… I just expressed my feelings all this time which would have hurt him for sure.

So, I actually hurt my two best friends who were always there for me without realizing what I am doing.

Mom! Why am I such a bad friend? I covered my face but tried to stop the tears before reaching the kitchen and calmly asked him a question to prove whether it is really true or Vikranth thought wrong.

“I heard that you like me, Prathap. Why don’t we become a couple?” I asked angrily and he ended up letting go of his phone which fell down.

After querying about his phone, I stared at his expression and realized it is true. He really liked me and I am just a stupid person.

I told him everything that happened and he stared at me in shock while asking him one main question.

“Are we really that weak? Maybe I am really weak as I actually made you leave your girlfriend like that and rush here. I didn’t know anything about this party as I just returned today afternoon and I rushed to his house after hearing about his accident.” I asked fisting my hands.

“It’s not because you are weak… we just… we just got used to taking care of you.” He mumbled and I nodded my head as it was like that from the time I was a kid.

“And I got used to asking for your shoulders to lean on. And it is not right.” I mumbled.

“Not completely!” He pointed out but I shook my head.

I was really taking advantage of their care which just made them be on alert all the time for my sake and even do some stupid things.

Like Vikranth entering this contract marriage and Prathap leaving his girlfriend all alone at someplace just because he thought I was having a panic attack.

Was there a time when I actually took care of them? No! All I did was to take their care and hurt them by doing that.

Who am I? I am nothing at all and I don’t deserve their love or care. All I do is to worry others and… I hate myself.

From now on, it is time to take care of myself and never involve anyone of them no matter what happens.

“I am sorry! I am sorry about everything. I will never… never call you like this or even worry you or do anything like this again. It’s a promise from me.” I whispered holding his hand

“Shrishti!” He whispered frowning.

“No! This is my decision. And I hope you actually like Ms. Anny and not actually just following this fake scheme that was devised.” I added.

At least one good thing is he confessed that he loves Anny. At least one of us has someone with them in a true sense. He deserves to be happy with the person he loves but I just hope Anny forgives him.

****

I thought if I don’t do anything to hurt my friends then everything will go back to normal but the news articles that spread the next day made me wish to not get up from this bed.

It’s all my fault that Anny got stranded at that place and now everyone is talking about that while linking it to her past rumors with an actor from abroad.

I rubbed my forehead before falling back on the mattress while thinking what power do I have right now to help her.

I took out my phone and checked through my contacts before calling one of my previous clients.

“Is it possible to take down those articles? At least your publishing house should wait until Ms. Anny’s agency say something about it, right?” I asked him in a normal tone.

“Don’t worry! We already got calls from Mr. Vikranth. He is going to release a statement soon and these things will get solved on their own.” He assured me.

“Okay!” I mumbled sighing in relief.

I should have already known that Vikranth will be there to take care of this matter as it involves his agency. When did he ever fail in doing that?

“It’s a good thing that you called, Shrishti. I have a favor to ask again.” He commented and I frowned realizing what is he going to ask.

“I don’t like working for someone else.” I pointed out.

“I know but this event is really huge and it doesn’t end within a few days. Your work will get recognized and it will help your business too.” He pointed back.

I sighed hearing that and even I wish to have all that but this is related to a group of businesspeople and I don’t like to stay that long among those people.

“I will think about it.” I mumbled before cutting the call.

When I returned to my workplace, I found Jenny already missing from the place as she went to meet a client.

I smiled at the interns before reaching my cabin and sat inside to check the files Jenny left on the table.

As expected, she managed everything in a perfect way in my absence. I smiled before arranging a bonus for the team that worked hard these two weeks.

I should start with opening up a branch for the company and work a bit on it before pushing it into Jenny’s hands.

As I started thinking, I couldn’t help but remember the place I went to during the holidays which would be perfect for our business.

The next second I called Nitish asking, “How is Grandma?”

“She is… is fine. How are you right now?” he asked back and I sighed before letting him know that I am fine too.

“I am staying at the hospital from today onwards.” He added and I think Grandma’s friend must have left.

“Okay! I wanted to ask about the place I told you about that day. Will that really be good for business in your view?” I asked and he stayed silent for a few seconds hearing those words.

“I remember! Yes! It is closer to many things that you need and it is quiet in open too but you should see whether you can bear the cost of the lease.” He stated.

“You are right! I will discuss it with my assistant and decide slowly.” I mumbled and then asked about whether he had breakfast and other things until Jenny returned.

“Okay! I will talk to you later.” I said cutting the call while Jenny raised her eyebrow.

“Got a new boyfriend?” she asked sitting on a chair while leaning back.

“A guy friend!” I replied and she shook her head.

“Why do you have so many male friends? Even I want one.” She sighed while I chuckled.

But that smile slipped remembering yesterday’s events. I cleared my throat before talking to her about the place I felt would be perfect for us.

“If you think it’s fine, then we can first discuss it with the owner and then decide on what to do about it.” She mumbled and I nodded smiling.

“It will take time before we can finally start working completely from that branch but I wish we could do it sooner. Let’s spread ourselves and it is a shame to keep you as an assistant longer than the time I already did. I need you to be my partner soon.” I said walking towards the coffee machine.

“What if I betray you, Shrishti?” she asked and I turned to find her staring at me.

“Will you?” I asked back and she smiled shaking her head.

“If I don’t trust you then I wouldn’t have kept you beside me in the first place, Jenny. I don’t like thinking like a businesswoman and this business is just like showing what I can do. I will not go into those trust issues and ruin my mind.” I replied passing her a cup.

“I know! If I ever take a wrong step then I will be out of your sight with no second chance. You say that you don’t like thinking like a businesswoman but you are kind of like that. It’s just that your decisions depend on your heart rather than on what is good for your business.” She mumbled smiling.

“I just don’t want my life to be taken over by a business mindset and filled with regrets like my Dad. He still feels guilty that if only he took my Mom’s call and need not have it switched off for the meeting then she would have been alive.” I tapped my hand on the table.

“But he is still strong to continue to be a businessman while feeling that guilt. However, I am not that strong and I decided long ago to be with a person who will actually receive my call when I need him and rush to rescue me and that’s why I will not be with a businessman no matter what.” I added.

“Then why did you like Vikranth? Isn’t he a businessman and that too a major one than everyone else?” she asked frowning.

“Yes! However, I had more trust in him than anyone else to come to my rescue with just a call from my side. I have the same trust in Prathap too. When I felt attracted to Vikranth at teenage, I chose him to spend my life with. Vikranth and Prathap are exceptions in the category I place over businessmen. Other than these two, I don’t trust anyone to keep their family first rather than their work.” I replied sighing but that thought is jumbled right now thinking about yesterday but I brushed them off as I need time to think about that again.

“So, I will definitely be with someone in the future who doesn’t have anything to do with the business world and if anyone I meet are from that world then I don’t even think of them as someone who can be my partner. Vikranth and Prathap are the only ones I ever trusted and will ever trust with my life even though they are businessmen. And no one will get added to that list.” I added smiling.

And that’s the reason I didn’t take Nitish’s action seriously. He is taking a break from his work but he is still a businessman. He can just be my friend and nothing more than that. So, I didn’t think of him as anything else other than a friend for even a second.

“Got it! Now, I don’t know why we shifted to this topic but let’s talk about the next project.” She said placing a file on the table and I nodded sitting back in my chair to listen about her meeting with the client.