Chapter 15: Chapter 15

*Shrishti Pov*

“Go back to the hotel, Nitish. I will be here.” He frowned hearing those words from his Dad.

It’s been a week since I came here and after he tried to ask his Dad to come here every day, he is finally here but brought press with him.

I know I shouldn’t get caught with the media as GH will be involved unnecessarily and I have to give this huge explanation that I am just his friend and not at all related through business.

I didn’t expect that his Dad is in politics and right now running for an MLA and is already a mayor for Mumbai until the last term.

Nitish never talked about his family or even about his friends clearly except for a few incidents. The moment he called Nitish informing them that he is coming, I walked out of the hospital room to give them space.

It is a good thing as I didn’t expect him to bring the media with him. I shook my head already knowing how it will be displayed in the newspapers and the television that his mother is ill and something added to it.

“Send them away otherwise I will call the police for disturbing my Grandmother.” Nitish warned him as his Dad brought him outside the hospital room and away from the media to have a word with him.

If I was not sitting in this corner and looking at them from far away, it would seem like a father and son consoling each other.

“Why are you so rude about it? I didn’t let them enter the room, right? They will leave within a few minutes and I will stay here. Your Mom is downstairs waiting for the media to leave. We both will be here and you just go and take a rest.” His Dad ordered but Nitish stood there not moving an inch until everyone left the floor.

“Go!” He ordered again seeing him standing there and Nitish sighed before turning around only to see me trying to hide myself in the corner.

“What happened?” he asked frowning.

“Are you going back? Should I stay here instead of you?” I asked ignoring his question.

If I say that I didn’t want the media to see me then I need to talk about GH and all this will be nothing but showing off.

He has enough things on his plate and I need not add something else which could irritate him.

“No! Mom is coming within a few minutes and they will be here. So, you leave with me.” He replied turning back to stare at his Dad talking to his assistant I think.

“Why don’t you ask him to let you know if they are going to leave? I will give my number to the attending staff here to call me if they are going to leave.” He nodded but continued to stare at his Dad.

“Nitish!” I whispered holding his hand.

“Maybe, Grandma will get to spend some time with her son.” He turned around hearing my words.

“I guess!” with a whisper, he started walking towards the stairs instead of reaching the elevator as we would have to pass his Dad if we take the elevator.

He didn’t say a word while climbing down the stairs but didn’t leave my hand and I had to rush behind him to keep up with him.

After reaching the hotel, he walked into his room leaving my hand and even forgot to close the door while I stayed outside for a few minutes before walking inside.

When I closed the door, I heard the shower running inside the washroom and thought maybe I should just leave.

What if I am not giving him space to deal with all this? Even I would wish to be alone but I am worried at the same time to leave him alone.

I will just stay here without saying a word and giving him the needed space. With that decision, I sat on one of the two chairs that are present other than the bed while waiting for him to come out.

Hearing the door open, I turned only to look away realizing he is just in his bathrobe. Maybe I should step out for him to get dressed. There is no separate dressing room here for him to have some privacy.

However, he just walked to his bed and laid down in silence. I frowned thinking about his wet hair and opened my mouth to voice it out but then as usual worried thinking I am stepping over the line.

I looked around and found the extra towel before sitting on the bed beside him and started drying his hair in silence as I promised myself to be.

When I stared at his face, I found water droplets near his face and immediately cleared them away. But after a second I realized those are not the water droplets but his tears.

What should I say at this moment? What do I even know about consoling someone? Always, it has been me who got consoled by everyone.

“Nitish!” I whispered his name and he turned around hearing my voice in shock.

He didn’t even realize what is happening around him? I thought frowning but froze when he hugged me the next second with his head over my lap.

“How can he do that? How can he just ignore her all this time and now come just to show off near the media? I can’t even imagine how must Grandma must be feeling.” He whispered holding me tightly.

“She couldn’t even open her eyes from the past two days but today when Dad reached, she tried hard to stay awake. She is his mother for god’s sake. I hate him. Shrishti. I just hate him so much. I wanted to push him out of the room but that would just hurt Grandma. I hate him so much.” He continued while sobbing his heart out.

“I know!” that’s all I could say and adjusted myself to lay down beside him and hugged him back while adjusting the towel around his head.

After a few minutes, he just stopped talking and I glanced down to find him already sleeping. I sighed continuing to caress his back and didn’t shift to let him sleep peacefully.

Hearing my phone ring, I immediately took my hand away to cut the call only to see it’s Vikranth who is calling.

“Hello?” I asked lifting the call in a whisper.

“Why are you whispering?” he asked after pausing for a second.

“What is it?” I asked ignoring his question and he again paused.

“Where are you?” he asked changing the question.

“I am out of station.” He sighed hearing that reply.

“I know you didn’t go anywhere for work. I talked to your assistant today morning regarding the branching out you are planning and she slipped out that you went on personal work and already finished your company works long back. What personal work do you have that we don’t know?” he asked raising his voice.

I closed my eyes hearing those words while thinking about what to tell him as an excuse but I couldn’t find anything as they all know everything about me except for Nitish’s matter.

“Why should I tell you? Are you asking your wife the same way about where she is going and what she is doing? If you are, then you better change your attitude as it is nothing but a controlling behavior.” I just let the words out and this time the pause was not for a second but nearly for a few minutes.

“How is your leg?” I asked breaking the silence.

“It’s fine!” he replied and there was silence again.

“I am staying with my friend as per my friend’s wish. Just like how you guys were with me when I need you, I am with a friend who needs me. That’s what friends do, right?” I calmly explained.

“Okay! Give me a call if you need anything or even Prathap.” He mumbled and I sighed smiling.

“And I never control my wife or anyone. You should know better than others that the thing I hate is controlling others.” Saying that he cut the call while I closed my eyes.

I don’t even know why I uttered those words. I could have just talked to him about Nitish and there is nothing to hide.

But after the last fiasco, I want to keep him away from my everyday life as much as possible along with Prathap.

Their first priority should be their wives and girlfriends just like how my first priority would my boyfriend or husband in the future.

“You know how to shout at your crush?” I got startled hearing that question and turned to find Nitish staring at me with a smile.

“He is no longer my crush but how did you know whom I was talking to.” I asked back.

“I wouldn’t have known but whenever you talk to either of your friends, you just give this smile that I don’t see normally.” He shrugged while I frowned but let the topic go.

“How are you feeling? Did I disturb you? Why don’t you go to sleep?” I asked placing my phone back on the table.

“You are okay with it?” he asked staring at me.

“I mean, with me hugging you like this and sleeping?” I nodded hearing his question.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he didn’t say anything to those words and just closed his eyes but this time hugged me tightly before drifting off into sleep with his legs thrown over mine.

Is it weird? I thought frowning and looked down only to remember that he is just wearing a bathrobe and that’s when I realized what is he asking me about.

I opened my mouth and closed it thinking how can I disturb his sleep again. I closed my eyes shifting my mind to not think about the present situation but still hugged him back while caressing his back.

****

I groaned hearing my phone ring again and slowly opened my eyes to take the call remembering we asked the staff attendant to give me a call before leaving the hospital if the visitors leave Grandma’s room.

However, I found that I am lying on the bed alone and he is nowhere to be seen. I took the call without checking the number only to pause hearing his voice.

“Shrishti! I came to the hospital feeling uneasy while thinking about Grandma half an hour back. And… she… you should come here.” I immediately sat up hearing the way he is talking.

“I will be there.” I whispered cutting the call and immediately left for the hospital after using the washroom.

When I reached the room, I found Grandma’s friends standing outside the room but they gave me a way to walk into the room.

I searched for Nitish and found him sitting beside Grandma’s bed while holding her hand with a worried look.

“Nitish!” I whispered reaching his side not thinking about anyone else in the room and he immediately glanced up.

“Grandma! Shrishti is here, Grandma.” He whispered the moment I reached his side.

I found her eyes open a bit and she smiled looking at me whispering, “Promise?”

“Yes! I will keep it.” I whispered back placing my hand over his which is holding her hand and she smiled nodding before glancing at other people.

“Don’t cry, Nitish! Always… take care of… each other… and… and be there… for Shrishti.” She whispered while Nitish nodded but his tears started rolling down and my vision got blurry because of my tears.

I brushed them away while she was talking to her son saying, “Don’t hurt Nitish, and… don’t control him.”

“Mom!” Uncle whispered holding her other hand but I didn’t stare at him feeling a fear creep into my mind.

No! This is not the time, Shrishti. Don’t… don’t let it affect you. I pleaded with myself while making sure to not let my fear show on my face.

I closed my eyes trying to control the shiver and opened them hearing loud sobs realizing Grandma is not opening her eyes and her monitor… I held onto Nitish as he is crying without control and I cried along with him.

I held onto him while her friends walked into the room and everyone is letting their tears out. This time I didn’t console him as I felt this pain realizing I can’t talk to her anymore and I can’t see her smile anymore.

Grandma! I hope… I hope you were happy at this last moment before leaving us and… and I will never break my promise. This is for you and only you.

*Nitish Pov*

“Until when will you stay here?” I turned to find Dad standing near the garden entrance as I am lost in my thoughts.

“What do you want?” I asked looking at him.

“It’s been ten days already after all the rituals are finished and you are still lingering here. I am the one who did all the rituals but still, I am back to my life taking care of my work. And you? Your business is already a failed one but still, you are here.” He shouted while I just stared at him.

“Why are you saying that you went back to your life when you never stopped working? You were working even on the day Grandma passed away.” I pointed out and he raised his hand to slap me.

“Nitish! Someone is asking for you.” We both heard a voice and I turned to find Shrishti standing near the back door.

“I am coming!” I mumbled and she nodded while glaring at my Dad.

“You still didn’t tell me who is she. Why is she living in your Grandma’s house along with you and what is your relationship? Is she your girlfriend? Don’t forget that I have made plans for you to secure your business back to normal stage.” He warned while I just frowned at him.

“She is my friend like I was saying all these days.” I pointed out.

“Friend? Why did none of us meet her? And where are your friends? Why didn’t they come?” he asked and I sighed hearing those words.

“They are busy!” I replied still feeling a sting that they didn’t come or even called me except for once after I informed them on the group chat after the funeral.

“I am going back to Mumbai today and I expect you to return by tomorrow. Your Mom is also asking for you.” Saying that he walked off while I rubbed my forehead.

“Are you okay?” I turned to find Shrishti standing near me.

“Who is asking for me?” I asked to which she smiled.

“Me!” she pointed at herself and I smiled shaking my head.

She looked around before saying, “I still can’t believe that Grandma’s house is this huge. I thought it would be a small house but this is actually a villa.”

“She is rich and this is actually constructed by my Grandfather.” I explained and she nodded smiling.

“I need to go back to Mumbai.” She mumbled after a few minutes.

“I am sorry! I finished everything here and my assistant can’t look after the company any longer as this is the peak time. I will try to come back after managing everything.” She added while I pulled her into my arms.

“Thank you for everything, Shrishti. If not for you, I don’t know how could I have managed everything. You took care of me and all the rituals while making sure to send her off in peace. Thank you!” I whispered and she patted my back hearing those words.

“That’s what friends do, Nitish. And even though I knew her for short time, she was my Grandma too.” She pointed out and I nodded letting her go.

“Even I am returning to Mumbai. Why don’t we go together?” I asked and she nodded smiling.

“I am going to ask the helpers that Grandma hired to continue to keep this place clean. I will come here whenever I miss her.” I mumbled.

“That’s a great idea. I was worried that your Dad will sell off this villa. But I heard this is a livelihood for many and they actually handle this garden and make money by selling the vegetables from here after using the part of it for Grandma. This was her rule for them.” She smiled.

“Grandma left this for me. Dad is saying to sell it so that it will help my business but I don’t want to no matter what.” She took my hand hearing those words.

“If you don’t feel bad, then I can help you with a loan or anything. You can pay back when you are stable again.” She offered with a hesitant tone and I smiled at her words.

She just has a small business but still ready to help me. Her thought is enough for me and I can’t put her in a difficult situation.

“Or you can write half of this property in my name.” She shrugged and I laughed hearing those words.

“Tell me honestly that what you are aiming is for the property and not with a mind of helping me.” I whispered and she grinned nodding.

“Okay! If I actually need the sources from outside, you will be the first person I ask.” I assured her.

“You must! Don’t think that I don’t have any sources. I have plenty to give you.” She assured me back and I nodded smiling while leaning over to kiss her cheek.

“Thank you!” I whispered and she smiled before we both walked into the house to pack our things deciding to leave tonight as she needs to go to her workplace tomorrow and I need to take over everything from tomorrow and see how much damage did they caused and also the loss I got because of the case from GH Entertainment.

*Third Person Pov*

#During The Rituals#

“I am sorry for your loss, Harsha.” Girish said reaching his side.

“Thanks for coming even though you are busy.” Harsha said looking at Girish.

“Of course I need to be busy otherwise that Vikranth will just do whatever he wishes. I can’t believe that he is the CEO of GH. This is not old times where only the son of the owner gets the company.” Girish shook his head.

“Didn’t you say that you were trying to approach other candidates who could help with your plan to stop Vikranth Guptha?” Harsha asked taking him aside so that his son can’t know that he is talking about business matters.

“Right! Those two are not even talking to the board of members. That Vikranth has both of them in his hands. But I will not give up and will push him down.” Girish stated feeling his temper rising remembering how arrogant that Prathap was and how that Shrishti escape whenever she sees any board of members.

“I will help you politically. They harmed my son’s business and now I don’t know what will he do.” Harsha said shaking his head.

“What are you planning?” Girish asked remembering how angry Harsha was at GH when he found that GH Entertainment is attacking NK.

“I am sorry that I couldn’t do anything. That part of the company is completely under Vikranth’s control. Right now we are trying to stop him from starting the theatre business. He wants to produce movies and also start the theatre. His ideas are the ones that are destroying GH.” Girish shook his head.

“It is hard for you then. I have already reached out to a few people and just waiting for Nitish to return to Mumbai. If he follows my words then his problem will solve immediately.” Harsha commented.

“Okay! Someone is asking for you. I will leave then as I need to go back by evening.” Girish said looking at his watch.

After Harsha left, Girish looked around and paused seeing a person he never expected to see here.

He walked towards her but stopped seeing her close with Nitish. He frowned thinking why didn’t Harsha say anything.

“I am glad that Nitish had his girlfriend with him. His Grandma was so happy that he has a partner.” Girish heard someone talking.

“Yeah! See even now she is holding his hand and not letting him stay alone. She took care of both of them even at the hospital and stayed with him. Everyone deserves such a girlfriend.” The other old lady nodded.

“Excuse me! She is his girlfriend?” Girish asked the lady while pointing at Shrishti and she nodded smiling.

“Aren’t they made for each other?” she asked smiling but added with a sad look saying, “If she has seen their wedding then she would have been happier.”

They continued to console each other while Girish just stared at Shrishti before a smile broke out on his face. Girish had just one word in his mind, ‘Interesting! Very interesting!’