Chapter 13: Chapter 13

*Shrishti Pov*

After the weekend, I messaged Prathap asking whether Anny forgave him or not but his response was negative and mentioned that she is staying at Vikranth’s house.

I closed my eyes leaning back and opened them to stare at the contract I don’t want to choose. I don’t want to do the contracts involved in me working for someone else and also where I need to be involved with business people.

However, these two days I have gone mad while thinking about so many things. From Vikranth’s contract to my past behavior with Kanika to the mess that happened to Anny because of my phone call.

I don’t know whether I can control my thoughts by myself without sharing them with someone but right now I don’t want to talk to anyone and just want to stay away from everyone.

I just… just hurt them… I hurt them too much with every single action of mine. I sighed before opening the contract and signed it.

“I am joining the tour.” I called him to let him know before cutting the call to ignore his gratitude.

I glanced at the time and it’s already evening. I heard from Prathap that she bought a new house and is busy shopping. They must have returned by now, right?

I called Jenny inside before mentioning the tour and she looked happy as this will really help us to get more future contracts and also for the reputation.

“When will you leave?” she asked checking the contract.

“Tonight!” I replied standing up.

“Tonight? You can go tomorrow, right?” she asked frowning.

“I don’t want to spend another night with all these thoughts.” I replied and she gave a confused look hearing those words.

“Don’t worry! I already checked the schedule and the contract we have right now can be handled by you. We can stay in contact by phone. I am sorry about the thing that I already left you to deal alone for two weeks and I am leaving again.” I apologized but she shook her head.

“We all took leaves earlier but you never took them. And this time you are going for this company even though you are not comfortable.” She pointed out.

I chose it not for the company but for my selfish reasons to keep myself busy from thinking about so many things.

“I need to go and pack. Please book a ticket for me and give me a few hour’s time.” I said before walking out.

Before leaving I need to do something to at least letting go of a bit of guilt. The moment I reached Vikranth’s place, I don’t want to step inside.

I still remember what happened the other day and my slap to his face and crying in front of them. I closed my eyes while standing alone before finally taking a step inside only to meet two people whom I want to run away from.

When Prathap asked me what am I doing here, I asked him return regarding the whereabouts of Kanika and Anny but when he replied them being not at home right now and will return soon made me wish I should have called them first before coming here.

After Kanika returned alone within a few minutes and mentioned that Anny is already arranging her things at her place right now, made me sigh but I sat down after she sat down without saying anything else even after Prathap and I mentioned that we want to meet her.

“Take me there too. I will not disturb anyone but will leave after apologizing to her.” I requested making Prathap and Kanika look at me.

“She doesn’t blame you.” Kanika said but I shook my head.

“It is my mistake too. Please!” I whispered before adding, “I will immediately leave without staying for a second after apologizing.”

“I need to catch a flight tonight and will not return for a few weeks. So, please take me there.” I added and I can feel Prathap glancing at me.

I just returned from a trip which in their eyes is for work and I am again returning to some other place. He must be thinking it is suspicious because of my behavior from that day but he didn’t say anything.

I fisted my hands when Vikranth asked her to ignore us as it is our usual tactics. What do you even know? I don’t know you anymore, Vikranth. How could you know us?

However, Kanika accepted our request and we three stood up to leave and she even stopped Vikranth.

I smirked but calmed down before whispering to Prathap an apology. He brushed it off saying it is his mistake but I can’t accept that.

I sat with Kanika instead of Prathap as right now I really don’t want to spend any moment with my best friends.

“How are you?” Kanika asked after a few minutes of silence.

“I am sorry!” I whispered to her question and she sighed.

“Until when will you apologize? No one in my life ever had apologized as much as you did. You didn’t hurt me and you weren’t malicious at all. You can stop it from now on. You… you didn’t know.” She pointed out.

“Still, I misunderstood you and never tried to think…” she cut me off saying, “How can you? You are not someone who can read minds and can know what is actually going on. I just want you to forget it and also don’t blame Mr. Vikranth. I got help for doing this and everything else doesn’t matter to me. His help is what saved me and that’s more than enough.”

“I know! I am just shocked that he is someone who can do these things. Until now I thought he is just a businessman who cares a lot about his work and also the family and friendship. I never took him to come up with such contract thing.” I whispered and she nodded.

“I know! Take your time and talk to him after you calm down.” She whispered and I turned to stare at her in shock.

“You don’t mind?” I asked frowning.

“Why would I? You are his best friend and family.” She replied and I smiled staring at her.

“Are you really younger than me? I seem to be a foolish person in front of you. I will change… I will change myself and will take you as an inspiration.” I mumbled and she chuckled hearing that.

“I am a boring person. But you are not foolish. I have been looking at you all these months and it feels special to see you working hard to keep harmony between everyone. I remember you helping me a few times before Prathap’s Mom. You are good as you are.” She mumbled.

“Thank you, Kanika!” I whispered placing my hand on hers.

“But I have to change a bit.” I added taking my hand back and she slowly nodded without saying anything else and we reached Anny’s place by that time.

“Please don’t tell Anitha about the contract.” She suddenly requested before I can open the door and I slowly nodded at her before promising to follow her wish.

Anny was shocked to see us but accepted to talk to me first and asked me to follow her to her room. I mentioned her room color feeling awkward to started but finally apologized.

“I shouldn’t have called him like that and trust me I didn’t know he was going to the party or even escorting you.” I added and she nodded saying how can I know these things.

“If I had controlled my emotions and not call him the moment I think of without caring about anything else, then all this wouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t have left you there and I already scolded him. He is stupid like that and not good at thinking in detail just like me. We both are always irrational and Vikranth is the one who is rational and always controls us. But when I found that he did something stupid because of me, I couldn’t control my emotions and ended up hurting you and maybe also Prathap.” I rushed out the words and forgot that she doesn’t know about Vikranth and Kanika’s marriage secret.

How could I be the one to tell her about it? I am not even her friend to share it and it is better if either Kanika or Prathap tells her about it and Kanika already asked me to not share it. So, I brushed the topic off from Vikranth.

“I heard… I heard you asking him to be a couple.” She mumbled and I widened my eyes realizing the mess I thought I created was something more as she heard those words.

Without a pause, I immediately explained that I was just angry at him and said those words and not at all serious and I stressed that we both don’t like each other.

“If you want me to say he is like an elder or even younger brother I can say that but I don’t want to use such words just to make you believe me. He is my best friend and that’s it.” I added so that she can understand my thoughts a bit.

“And I promise to not call him like that carelessly whenever I wish to and will remember that he has a partner and not disturb him. I will definitely try to deal with my problems or thoughts by myself.” I continued.

She first asked me to let go of her hands making me realize I am holding her hands in a tight grip and then she said that she can understand me as even if her friend calls her crying, she would have done the same. She even added that she understands our friendship and doesn’t want to ruin it.

But when I asked her about him, she brushed it off saying it is between them. I nodded before rushing out the words to praise him and his behavior a bit to make her understand his usual behavior so that she can forgive him fast. I stressed that she changed him and that she is best for him.

“I will be leaving the city tonight and may not have a chance to find out whether you both patched up or not. So, if I can’t control myself, I will give him a call only then.” I said reaching the door after finishing everything I can say to help his case.

“Where are you going?” She asked in a worried tone and I replied to her saying it’s for work.

“You can call me Anny or Anitha. No need to be formal.” She mumbled and I nodded smiling a bit.

“Wait! Don’t change your friendship because of me. I would hate that. You are not the reason for anything.” She added in a rush and at that moment I want her to be with Prathap no matter what so that she can be my new family member.

“I am not changing because of you. I just… I just feel like I am stuck to the teenage version of myself and wish to be independent and not be seen as weak anymore also. It is for my sake.” Saying that I opened the door and walked out with a smile.

When I reached downstairs, I found Prathap nearly digging a hole on the floor with the way he is tapping his foot continuously.

“You can go! I will be leaving then.” I said glancing at Kanika.

“I will drop you!” she said standing up but I shook my head.

“No need! I will catch a cab.” I said staring at her.

“I will go!” Prathap said standing up.

“Confess!” Kanika and I said the same thing and he nodded before climbing the stairs.

“I just want to leave them alone for some time. I will drop you!” Kanika explained before following me out.

“Thank you!” I whispered getting into her car.

“Are you feeling better now after talking to her?” she asked driving towards my place.

“Yes! By the way, today you talked to me more than you did for a year and half.” I stated and she glanced at me for a second.

“You are good with talking and all. I hope next time we meet, you will talk to me normally like you did today. I know today you did to make me feel better because of that day but please don’t stop from now on. If… if you are worried about legal charges then I will not tell Vikranth. I don’t know when will I talk to him again but I will never mention that you talk to me.” I assured her and she chuckled hearing that.

“I am sorry!” she suddenly said making me frown.

“For being rude all this time and ignoring all those times when you tried to talk to me.” She explained but I shook my head.

“Vikranth should apologize to me and not you.” I waved her off and she nodded smiling.

“You are important to him. I hope you forgive him soon.” She whispered but I didn’t say anything to those words.

Right now, I want to concentrate on being busy to ignore all the thoughts and return with a fresh mind to deal with Vikranth and Prathap. Also, to stop depending on their comfort and try to solve everything on my own.

*Nitish Pov*

“How is your work?” I asked after she picked the call even though it’s past midnight.

“Almost done! I thought it will take one more week but my part is done and I just need to look after a few things.” She explained and I smiled leaning back.

“How is Grandma?” she asked and I stared at Grandma’s sleeping figure in silence.

I want to tell her that… that it’s serious right now but she will just get worried. I closed my eyes before saying, “She is fine!”

“She must be sleeping right now. I will try to call during morning time so that I can talk to her.” She mumbled but I shook my head.

Even if she does call during the morning time, I don’t know whether she can talk to her as most of the time in the day, she is not conscious at all.

“Is everything fine at your workplace and no other problem?” she continued when I stayed silent.

I gripped my phone tightly wishing to tell her everything but after that day when she called me crying and having a panic attack, I don’t want to think too much about anything.

My company? It is getting sued and everything is a mess right now. And now, that friend of mine is contacting me every day to ask me what should he do.

I requested him to look after the company for a year and within seven months he made such a big mess out of everything and I don’t even know why all this happened.

If GH is really trying to raise its business and step down on my company, there is no need for them to file these legal charges.

Defamation case? Why would we try to defame Anitha? Is she finally taking her revenge for what happened all those years back?

Why now? Why now when I can’t even take care of it? It was my fault at that time but taking revenge on a whole company? I am losing the artists and the whole reputation is gone but still, I don’t know the complete details.

“Nitish?” I broke out of my thoughts before cutting off the call saying I am tired and want to sleep.

Sleep? I can’t even do that thinking about everything. I want to call everyone to get an idea of what went wrong but glancing at Grandma I just can’t get involved right now.

I stared at my Dad who finally decided to visit his mother when I told him yesterday that she doesn’t have much time anymore.

However, she didn’t wake up and after a few minutes, he already stood up to leave but gestured me to follow him out.

I walked out of the hospital room and found his secretary and the bodyguards staying far from us to not hear our conversation.

“Don’t you have anything to tell me?” he asked staring at me.

“What?” I asked back and he fumed hearing those words.

“I told you to do what I ask you to but you have this stupid idea of opening your own agency. Now what? Can’t you handle even that?” he asked and I realized he found out about the legal charges.

“Why is your agency getting sued? Do you want to ruin my reputation? That’s why I told you to manage it on your own and not involve others.” He continued to shout.

“Don’t forget that we are in the hospital.” I warned him looking around.

“I am saying this for your sake. Getting sued? Don’t you know the impact of it on our family?” He asked frowning.

“But he is my friend and I just wanted to take a break for a year. I need to be here and you know it.” I pointed out.

I already know I made a mistake but how could I have expected this to happen? He is not someone I picked just without thinking. He was my business partner for a decade and how couldn’t he handle just for a few months?

“I know! But this is your dream which is getting ruined. I am thinking of something which will help both of us and you need to just follow it.” Saying that Dad walked away while I sighed.

Now, what is he planning now? I shook my head to not think about those words. I already have enough things to think about and I don’t want other things added to the list.

I leaned back on the wall closing my eyes while feeling sad for Grandma. He finally visited to not visit her but to give me a class after finding what happened to my agency.

How can he disregard his own mother? I shook my head taking a deep breath before walking into the room only to find her conscious.

“Grandma! How are you feeling?” I asked holding her hand.

“Where is she?” she asked in a weak tone.

“How are you feeling?” I asked ignoring her question.

“Let me see her once.” She mumbled closing her eyes while tears formed in my eyes.

I know she is missing her but how can I just request her to come when she already did so much for us.

However, with Grandma asking so many times for her I couldn’t help but give her a call at night when her condition turned worse within a day.

“What is it, Nitish?” she asked lifting the call.

“Shrishti! Grandma wants to see you.” I replied closing my eyes hoping I am not troubling her.

“She is in critical condition and… and…” I couldn’t bring out myself to continue those words.

“I will be there.” Saying that she cut the call and I sighed leaning back on the couch while hoping she will be here soon.