Chapter 16: Chapter 16

*Shrishti Pov*

“So, what do you think?” I asked glancing at Jenny while she looked around the office before nodding at me.

“We need to hire staff and also decide who will handle this branch first and later decide on adjusting our works.” I added and she smiled but didn’t say anything.

“What is it?” I frowned looking at her.

“I just… all this time I was talking on how I can manage and you can rest but last month when you were away for a few weeks, I realized that I need time to actually handle everything.” I didn’t say anything hearing those words.

Even I didn’t expect that I will take that long to return to Mumbai but found that I can’t take a rest anymore seeing the work pending and finally after a few weeks, we both managed to come to this city so that she can check out the new place.

“Why don’t we continue to manage everything together and slowly make the decision on who will handle which branch?” I offered and she immediately nodded.

“Then for now I will stay in this city and get a grip on the things here along with the staff.” I nodded at her words.

“You need not worry as some of our old staff will shift here and both the main one and the branch will have new staff. I will try to not give them lenience and be as strict as you.” She laughed hearing that.

“You can’t do that. You are against any kind of situation which could end up in conflict. Don’t I know you?” she shook her head while I scoffed at her but smiled knowing well she is right.

I took her out and showed her the new centers where we can find the material we need and also who can immediately respond to our orders while she noted them down.

“We could have saved a lot in the past if we had found these suppliers at that time.” She mumbled.

“It’s okay! We were concentrating on finishing the work rather than trying to find the places where we can save the cost as we were in hurry. From now on we need not do that.” I consoled her while she sighed nodding.

After we finished looking around, we returned to the hotel and asked her to rest while I freshened up before stepping out of the hotel again.

‘I am going there now. They will really allow me, right?’ I messaged him so that he will not get disturbed.

‘Of course! The helping staff already know you and they will treat you the owner too.’ He immediately replied assuring me.

‘Are you not busy?’ I asked while waiting for the cab.

‘Having lunch right now and by chance, you messaged me when I was able to reply.’ He replied making me frown.

‘Now? It’s past four, Nitish. Why are you not taking care of your health?’ I shook my head sending the message.

‘Busy!’ he replied adding a sad emoticon along with it.

I sighed sitting inside the cab and called him which he immediately picked up saying, “I know! I told you that I will take care of my health and will not forget it because of work but I can’t even breathe right now.”

“I have enough things to do but my Dad added another stupid segment. I can’t even rest during the weekends. I really wish I am also visiting Grandma’s place along with you.” I kept quiet and let him say everything he wants to.

“I will send you pictures and videos. I really wish you at least have your meals one time and also sleep properly.” I mumbled and he chuckled hearing that.

“Even I wish for that. Okay, I need to go.” He mumbled and I heard voices from his side calling for him.

“You finished your lunch?” I asked before he cut the call.

“Yes! And I am not lying. I will send you a picture of my empty plate.” I laughed before cutting the call and he really sent me the picture.

When I reached the villa, I took the video as promised before the disappearance of the sunlight and entered the house while waving at the security guard who recognized me.

After a tour around the house, I finally checked the garden along with the rooms to make sure everything is clean.

“Do you need me to hire any more staff? Is the work fine to handle by just the two of you?” I asked looking at the two ladies.

“It’s fine, Madam! No need to hire anyone.” The older lady assured me while the other lady nodded.

“Okay! I am leaving my number along with Nitish Sir’s number. If there is anything, contact me first. He is busy right now and I will pass the message.”

They nodded after which I returned to the garden to check on the plants and see whether it is possible to plant a few more flower plants and also vegetables along with the already present ones.

When I finally sat on the chair in the garden, I smiled breathing in the fresh air. This place is really nice and I don’t know why Dad or other elders never bought a site from the countryside.

Even Vikranth never bought one as far as I know. Next time I will ask him… No! Am I not doing well these two months not contacting any of them and giving them the space to spend with their loved ones?

It is really good but… but why do I feel like I exchanged them with Nitish? I am always contacting him but not regularly as I know he is busy and also we are not that close like I am with Vikranth and Prathap.

Maybe I am just thinking too much as if right now Nitish says he wants me to stop contacting him I can do it immediately and not feel worse like I am feeling with Vikranth and Prathap.

I think in the future I will not feel good about cutting off the contact with Nitish but right now I don’t feel I am getting dependent on Nitish as I did with both my friends.

****

“Dad! What happened?” I asked frowning at him.

For the past few days, he is lost in his thoughts and didn’t say anything no matter what I asked. Finally, he called me into his study room to talk but he is not saying anything.

“What do you think about getting married, Shrishti?” he suddenly asked and if I say I didn’t get shocked then that would be a lie.

However, in the next second, I can understand his worry. He never pressured me but still, I am already twenty-eight and he is also a father.

“I am not dating anyone right now. So, you can choose someone if you want.” I offered and he gave a surprised look.

“Really?” I smiled nodding.

I no longer have lingering feelings for Vikranth and finally came out of all that crush business. But at the same time, I don’t think I am confident to choose someone on my own after the last fiasco of getting nearly conned by my Ex-Fiance.

“You are really not dating anyone?” he asked frowning.

“No!” I replied but he didn’t relax at all.

“Not even interested in anyone right now?” he just continued and this time I frowned.

“Dad! If there is something talk to me directly and not go in circles, okay?” I asked and he slowly nodded before leaning back.

“You don’t mind if I choose someone because of business matters?” he asked staring at me while I laughed.

“Dad! I understand your position and even though I am not part of GH management, I am still part of it. So, of course, the marriage proposals will be related to business relations. However, I am confident that you will not force me with a specific proposal and leave the final choice to me.” I pointed out and he finally relaxed smiling.

“Yes! If you don’t like the proposal even a bit of it, then don’t hesitate to let me know.” I nodded and he finally doesn’t look stressed anymore like these past days.

“I know I gave you a hard time when I was a kid and even last time because of my engagement but I hope you will not get stressed because of me. I don’t want that to happen, Dad.” I mumbled holding his hand.

“You never gave me a hard time and it was my mistake…” I cut him off saying, “You can’t know that. It is no one’s mistake and I am slowly letting go of my inhibitions against the business people too.”

“Really?” he asked in a surprised tone.

“Yes! I met a friend who knows what is important and I realized I shouldn’t have strong opinions on a whole profession because of that incident. I am not completely free of that opinion but I am getting there.” I explained while he stared at me in silence.

“Okay! I will go and sleep. I am tired of everything that is going on. Let me know the time and place I need to meet that supposed proposal you are thinking about.” I said getting up.

“Yes! I already know you have someone in mind. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been this stressed recently.” With those words, I left his study and returned to my room.

However, I didn’t expect him to set the date the following weekend itself and that too in the restaurant of the GH hotel.

Is he trying to intimidate the candidate or what? I shook my head reaching the place early to find the place which could be away from the entrance before messaging Dad to inform him of my location.

I opened the menu to check whether they changed the dishes from the last time I came here and found they even changed the design of the menu card.

I smiled getting involved with it and glanced up hearing a knock on the table only to widen my eyes.

“Why are you…” we both started and stopped at the same time.

“You are here for work?” I asked smiling at him.

“No! A marriage proposal!” he replied and my smile slipped realizing that this is not a coincidence where we both are here for meeting the prospective partners who are different people.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you are searching for a bride?” I asked staring at him after letting go of my shock.

“I told you briefly that my Dad added another segment to my life. He sent me to quite a few proposals who could have saved my business with their investments.” He explained sitting down.

“Oh!” that’s all I could say.

I mean, this is not a new thing to hear but I didn’t expect he is going through that all these days. It’s been more than a month since we met even though we are staying in the same city.

“Did any of it succeed?” I asked closing the menu.

“If it had then I wouldn’t be here. But this time is a serious one as he said if this fails then I can just forget ever getting my business back in its form.” He replied while I frowned.

“So, you are part of GH?” he asked in an accusing tone.

“Yes! Is something wrong?” I asked back while he closed his eyes and started rubbing his forehead.

“I hate GH with my everything.” He whispered and my eyes widened but I calmed my immediate reaction seeing his tired look.

“It’s okay! You are not the only one who has the same opinion and I met quite a few of them.” I assured him and he glanced up hearing those words.

“You don’t understand, Shrishti. My hate is not because of jealousy or just business rivalry.” He explained while I frowned.

“Then?” I asked not understanding what else could be the reason other than rivalry.

“You know that I am into the entertainment agency business. I have been in this industry for a decade but an agency from GH that started just a few years back is trying to harm my business and I guess already did.” He replied and I am still confused.

Wait! Why didn’t I connect it before? If he is in an entertainment agency then Vikranth’s business is his rival, right? I thought leaning back not knowing what to say.

“Vikranth is really a tough businessman without a doubt.” I mumbled and his expression hardened hearing those words.

“So, if you are against GH then why will it benefit for you to accept the marriage between the two families?” I asked ignoring his look.

“I will be a family member to GH and then they will automatically back away.” He shrugged while I shook my head.

That will never happen as any of the people belonging to GH ever consider such things and are always strict and will not spare even blood-related.

“Why are you here?” he asked changing the topic.

“My Dad said there is a proposal and that too regarding business relations perspective and asked me to come here to meet him.” I explained and he sighed leaning back.

“Your Dad is in politics and that would definitely be a benefit for GH. But if you hate GH, you shouldn’t have come.” He stared at me hearing those words.

“I didn’t want to attend any of the previous proposals too but I am on the edge and the small investment he will be doing which could give me a breath depends on how I attend these meetings.” He explained and I slowly nodded understanding his situation.

“I rejected all the proposals after meeting them and if I reject this one then he is going to pull back his investment.” He whispered and I frowned hearing those words.

We both stayed silent after he uttered those words while I thought of how to say I am not interested in this proposal.

I don’t want to marry someone who doesn’t see me as a partner and definitely not just because of these business relations.

I thought even if it started like that then we can get to know each other if we get interested and then decide on whether to move forward or not.

But Nitish hates GH and I will always be part of it and will not hate Vikranth along with him no matter what. Now, I understand why was he so disturbed that I stayed at GH that time. I thought he was like that because he thought I am wasting money by staying at a grand hotel.

Another reason would be even though he kept everything aside for his Grandma, he is still the type who doesn’t care about his surroundings except for work. I don’t know whether it will be the same near his spouse too.

“Nitish…” I started but he stopped me saying, “Why don’t we continue to meet and tell our parents that we are getting to know each other?”

“Are you in a hurry to get married? I want some time to manage without my Dad’s threat. I just need a few month’s time.” He added before I can open my mouth.

“I am not in a hurry. So, this will be just telling them we are meeting and getting to know each other?” I asked and he nodded without pausing.

“But we have to meet in real to show off.” He pointed out while I stared at him in silence.

“Will it help you?” I asked after a few minutes.

“Yes! It will be a great help. It will be just passing the time until I get back on track.” I smiled extending my hand.

“Deal! I am your friend and how can I not help you.” He smiled shaking my hand with a relief passing his face.

“So, your crush is Mr. Vikranth? He is the married guy and so it must be him.” I pulled my hand away with a scowl on my face while he laughed.

*Mohan Pov*

“Why did you even send her if you are this worried?” Pramod asked frowning at me.

“I don’t know! When I heard from Girish that Shrishti is dating his family’s friend’s son who is like a nephew to him, I got worried but also ignored him. However, he sent me those pictures of both of them staying at the same hotel and also details which showed clearly that Shrishti lied to us saying it’s for business but many times she went to meet that boy.” I explained.

“So? Ask her directly and need not accept Girish’s proposal to fix a marriage between those two. When did we ever make our children marry for business without their wish?” he asked shaking his head.

“Yeah! It’s just you trying to make your son give up on his dream and join the company.” I retorted and he glared at me hearing those words.

“That is for his own good.” He whispered but I shook my head.

“I feel she is genuinely happy with that guy but because of the last incident, she is worried to talk to me about it. What if she got ready to marry whomever I choose even if she likes that Nitish just because she thinks I was right about the last guy? I don’t want her to be in a dilemma.” He sighed nodding.

“That could be true but we don’t know for sure. Let’s wait until she returns from meeting this guy.” He commented while I sighed looking at the time.

“If this marriage really gets fixed then Girish will back away thinking everything will go his way just because Nitish will be a family member and also Nitish’s father’s influence is good in the city.” Pramod commented after a few minutes.

“I understand Girish wishing for this marriage but why did Mr. Harsha be keen on it. What will he benefit from this? I mean GH support is a good thing but getting his son married is too much.” I mumbled and he nodded frowning.

“Do you think other than Mr. Harsha getting GH support and Girish’s dream of having control over GH through this Nitish, there could be something else?” Pramod whispered.

“Maybe they both really like each other.” I uttered those words after checking the message Shrishti sent.

‘Dad! He is actually my friend and I forgot to tell you about him. He is a good guy and so I want to meet him more before deciding.’

“Well, we were worrying for nothing then. I need to search for a bride for Prathap too if possible. But before that, I need to end their engagement scheme first.” Pramod stood up to leave.

“Thanks for being here while I was stressed.” I said smiling while ignoring his words about Prathap.

It doesn’t seem to be that easy to end that engagement as far as I am hearing things and also seen the way Prathap and Anny behaved during Pramod’s birthday.

“And don’t breathe a word to Ashok.” I added and he chuckled hearing that.

“I know! He will kill you if he finds that you somehow got your daughter involved in business matters even though you involved her more for thinking she likes this guy. But still, he will hate it.” He mumbled and I nodded at his words.

The one who is against using children for business purposes is Ashok and that’s why he didn’t say anything when Vikranth married someone none of us even heard about and her background is another thing to consider which he just ignored.

“Thanks again for wasting your time to keep me company.” I smiled at him saying those words as his presence helped me to not think too much.

“We are friends!” saying that he waved off my words and walked out of my cabin while I stared at Shrishti’s message smiling while hoping this gets settled and she will be happy with a new family and with the guy she likes.