Chapter 19: Chapter 19

*Shrishti Pov*

What was I thinking? I was not thinking straight for sure. How could I just kiss him like that? At least we stopped before going all the way.

But what should I do about him sleeping behind me and us both adjusting on this couch? This is a fine couch for a single person to sleep but not two.

His confession shocked me and made me waver as these few weeks I was kind of disturbed with his flirting already and started repeating to myself that he is my friend.

Now, his final words just made my grip lose and I actually accepted it. How can I just do it? What if we just realize we are not suitable and ruin our friendship?

I am going to lose another friend? I closed my eyes shaking my head and froze when he pulled me closer to his body with his arm around my waist.

I know how hard was it to stop us from taking the next step and he even didn’t force me but still if I had ignored my mind then… I shook my head.

I need to think clearly about this before but how can I do that with his presence? Right now, I want to turn around and hug him back.

Was I always this weak regarding physical relationships? I know my heart is not completely involved but my body is definitely involved.

It is not right for him also if I just involve him because of the attraction. He honestly said he likes me and I need to be honest about my feelings too.

We can’t start a relationship just because of the affection I have for him. It should be stronger than that for sure.

A sound from my phone broke my thoughts and I sighed in relief that I got a chance to move away from his embrace to collect myself a bit.

I sat up and leaned forward to take the phone from the table only to find that Prathap sent a message.

I got surprised but his message shocked me for sure. What is the meaning of this? Does this mean she forgave him and they are together?

‘What should I buy for a pregnant woman?’

I immediately called him without thinking about anything else and asked him, “Anny is pregnant?”

“What? No!” He replied before explaining that Anny’s manager just got admitted to the hospital and is going to give birth soon.

“Oh! I got shocked and excited unnecessarily then.” I mumbled sighing.

“So, what should I buy?” He asked repeating the question while I frowned.

“How could I know?” I asked back in irritation because I was really happy for a second thinking they both are back together and I need not feel guilty about them anymore.

“I can’t ask Vikranth, right?” He pointed out.

“You could have asked Kanika. She is your new best friend, isn’t she?” I pointed back while he didn’t say anything.

“I heard from Vikranth about it.” I added remembering how Vikranth literally complained about that but not directly.

“And that was when I was giving him a brief about the financial report and my next plan for the business.” I continued thinking he will again think that I am still not over Vikranth.

“Calm down! I was not going to say anything.” He assured me chuckling while I smiled.

It’s been so long since I talked to him and I… I really miss talking to him. I want to tell him about Nitish and ask his advice or even just share whatever is happening in my life. I miss my friend, I thought closing my eyes.

“I missed talking to you.” I voiced out the same thing.

“Me too!” He mumbled and I sighed in relief.

“Is the hospital related to GH?” I asked after realizing we both stopped talking at a time and when said it is, I gave him the best advice possible and that is to get the specialists to assure them whether everything is fine or not.

After cutting the call I sat there in silence while staring at his number. I want to go and meet him and if possible tomorrow itself but I don’t think they are back together otherwise he would have mentioned something.

I sighed placing the phone back on the table and got startled feeling a finger tracing my back… naked back.

Did I actually forget that I was sleeping with just a blanket cover and that he is sleeping behind me?

“Anny is not pregnant. It was her manager who is pregnant.” I rushed the words remembering that he is in the same entertainment world and if a word slips about this then this would be a problem for her.

I should add this part too. GH is his rival right now and I can’t actually choose any one of them to support. Won’t it be a problem in the future if we have this kind of relationship?

“Are you okay?” I turned around hearing that question and found him staring at me with a concerned look.

What was I thinking while he is just concerned about me? I really think too much about these things.

“Yes!” saying that I gave into my wish and this time laid down facing him before hugging him.

His question and that look were enough to push away most of my doubts. He knows everything about me and never judged me and is even concerned about me.

“Happy birthday, Nitish! The date changed.” I whispered and he pressed a kiss on my forehead while thanking me.

I smiled snuggling closer and he hugged me back to make sure I will not fall down. I don’t care about the size of this couch anymore too.

****

“You don’t have to go and change?” I asked staring at him trying to clear the decorations.

“I will just go directly.” He replied shrugging and I nodded taking a sip from the coffee he mixed after pushing me on the couch to sit down and stated he will clean up everything.

“You don’t have work today?” I shook my head at his question and he finally finished cleaning everything.

“Shall I order breakfast for us? Or will you be late?” I checked the time and it’s already past nine.

“I will go right now so that I can leave work early. Let’s go somewhere in the evening.” He offered and I nodded smiling.

“I know I rushed you yesterday night but take your time. Let’s spend time together like in the past and take it slowly.” He added sitting beside me.

“Thank you! So, should I plan on what we will do today or will you plan it?” he pushed the duty to me saying he may forget if this task is given to him.

“Once again happy birthday and hopefully it was special for you. But if you have plans with your friends or family, we can meet some other day.” He shook his head.

“I don’t know whether anyone even remembers that it is my birthday. My friends may but I don’t want to spend time with them today. I finally voiced out my feelings and we need to celebrate it.” He pointed out.

“Okay!” I nodded and he hugged me before leaving the place while I leaned back closing my eyes still thinking how to wrap my head about everything so that we both will not get hurt.

I like him? Yes! But am I confident about everything? No! Maybe all I need is some time to come over these things.

I don’t even know when I started liking him but the moment he confessed a few of my worries left and I stopped telling myself that he is just a friend.

He was just a friend a few months back but these few days when we spent our time here just… I sighed realizing all that doesn’t matter now. I need to seriously think about my feelings and not how they started.

*Nitish Pov*

“You look happy even though you look ragged. Why is your suit crumbled like that?” Rohan asked frowning at me after reporting the work I gave him yesterday.

“It is the same one from yesterday.” I replied ignoring the previous question but couldn’t help but smile more.

“I want to apologize for my yesterday’s words. I know she is the one who left you but in my mind, you both were always together and so it felt weird. But then you were single all these years and you deserve to be happy too.” He mumbled and I nodded hearing those words.

“Thank you! But your words kind of encouraged me to express my feelings to her. So, you helped me yesterday.” He sighed in relief hearing that.

“So, when are you going to let her meet us? You need to give a party too.” He pointed out.

“She needs time and you actually forgot that today is my birthday?” he stared at me for a second before groaning.

“I am sorry! I really forgot about that. Happy birthday!” he wished and I nodded smiling.

“It’s okay! I was just kidding about it.” I waved off but he stressed asking me to accompany him to a club and that he will call all our friends.

“I have a date today and going to spend the day with her.” He stopped asking me after hearing that.

“Okay! Let’s do it tomorrow then.” Saying that he left the cabin while I concentrated on the work instead of yesterday’s events so that I can finish my work early and leave.

As expected no one from my family remembered today even when I reached home in the evening to freshen up.

“Why are you early?” Mom asked smiling at me while placing her phone away from the conversation she was having.

“To freshen up, Mom.” I replied and she nodded before frowning at me.

“You didn’t come home yesterday?” she asked and I nodded without saying anything.

“Work must be too much for you. Take rest whenever you can. I will get some specials to be cooked for you. What do you want to eat today?” I shook my head saying I am going out for dinner.

“With that girl?” her face changed saying that.

“Yes!” she frowned at me but didn’t say anything while I walked away.

I don’t know why but Mom is kind of against this arranged marriage that Dad found for me but she didn’t vocalize it except for her expressions. She just needs to meet Shrishti and everything will be fine.

After freshening up, I left the house while calling Shrishti and she asked me to come to her house saying she will message the address.

This is the first time I am going to her house and what if I need to meet her Dad? I thought frowning but glancing at the time as it is still early, there is the least chance for him to be at home.

She always says how her Dad comes late from work. With that confidence, I reached her place and called her only to hear her asking me to come inside.

When I did, I had to pause seeing her standing beside someone who could be her Dad. I cleared my throat before greeting him and he smiled greeting back.

“I didn’t get anything thinking you will not be home at this time, Uncle.” I apologized but he waved off.

“I heard today is your birthday and wanted to wish you. So, I made her call you inside. Don’t feel nervous about me and you both can leave.” I nodded thanking him for his wishes before we both walked out of the house.

“You could have warned me.” I complained when we got into my car.

“If there was any problem then I would have warned you but why would I when I know my Dad will not say anything?” she asked back and I don’t have anything to say to that.

“Where are we going now?” I asked glancing at her.

“Movie! Do you want to watch any? Anny’s movie will release next Thursday which we can watch at that time but right now I don’t know what to watch.” She replied while my hands tightened on the wheel hearing her words.

“What happened? Because Anny is from GH? But didn’t you say your artist is a part of this movie?” she asked frowning.

“Nothing like that! Let’s go to the mall first and decide depending on the show timings and available tickets.” She nodded smiling and I smiled back forgetting about Anny.

****

“Nitish! Do you still hate GH?” she suddenly asked when we were in the middle of the dinner.

“Hmm?” I stared at her frowning because of the sudden query.

“I don’t work for GH but I will always be a part of GH. If you can’t accept that then it will just hurt us both in the future. Right now I am staying away from everyone but it will not be like this all the time. I will get involved again with their lives and they will be part of my lives. You would have to meet them and maybe not love them but at least respect them. All this will be possible without hurting yourself?” she asked while I tried to understand her words.

“I don’t particularly hate GH and I got angry because of some business issues. Now all those things got settled, I will just concentrate on reconstructing my company and get stabilized. But if I get attacked again and it’s is not because of fair reasons then I will not sit quietly just because you are a part of GH. However, I am fine with being a part of the family if nothing goes wrong.” I replied honestly and she slowly nodded hearing those words.

“I know that you know every stupid thing I did and regarding my past feelings. I just want to say that it is all in the past and let’s not bring it up again. I will do the same with your first love. Okay?” I smiled at her words.

“Does this mean you are accepting us as a couple?” I asked back and she nodded smiling.

“So, you are my girlfriend or fiancé?” I continued and she frowned hearing that question.

“Let’s not go to the marriage part unless we build our relationship. And I need to go away too. I don’t want a marriage where I stay apart from my partner. After I return, we will see how our relationship goes and then decide.” My smile slipped hearing her words.

“You are still going there? Can’t you stay here?” she shook her head.

“Everything is decided and I can’t change it now. It will be unfair for Jenny and it will be for a short time until I get everything settled. We can meet whenever anyone of us is free and we can talk on the phone… and…” I cut her off shaking my head.

“Where will you stay? Grandma’s villa is empty right? Why don’t you stay there?” I asked changing the direction as I know I actually can’t ask her to stay back and it is not the right thing to do.

“But that’s too far from the city and I can’t travel to and fro. Also, how can I just stay there when it is yours.” She shook her head.

“And we just started dating.” She added but I smiled holding her hand.

“Shrishti! Before the start of our relationship, we are already friends and even if we were not dating I would have asked you to do the same. The villa needs someone’s presence from time to time and your presence will make Grandma happy too.” I pointed out and she sighed rubbing her thumb on my fingers.

“How about this? I will stay there whenever you visit me. I am really not comfortable staying there all the time alone and the distance is also a problem.” She requested shaking my hand.

“Last time it was for a short time and I was fine and that was also to help you look after the staff. Now, I can’t do that everyday.” She added.

“Fine! You need to keep your word. Later when you get comfortable you can rest whenever you want at that place during weekends and all.” She nodded smiling.

“I will be staying at GH itself. It is near to the building.” My smile slipped while she laughed at my expression.

“You need to work hard to remove that expression whenever I mention GH. You are hating me while hating GH by the way.” She said controlling her laugh.

“I will try! I will definitely try as I can’t bear to hate you.” She looked down hearing those words but cleared her throat to change the topic.

*Rohan Pov*

‘We need to arrange everything for tomorrow’s party.’ I messaged in the group after everyone accepted to come to the party tomorrow.

‘I really forgot his birthday. If there is anything then let me know.’ One after the other messaged in our group consisting of four members except for Nitish which I created just now.

‘Why are we not celebrating today?’ Arjun asked and I smiled at that question realizing no one knows except me about this news.

‘He got a girlfriend and is currently busy with dating. He wanted to spend the day with her and rejected my offer to have a party today.’ I explained with a triumph but froze seeing the reply I got for the message.

‘Girlfriend? He is dating?’ Lisa messaged and I realized that I added her on habit like in the past and didn’t control the words.

I didn’t reply whereas others started asking all kinds of questions like who is she and why don’t they know and when will they meet her but my eyes are on Lisa’s message.

Wait a minute! Nitish was right in saying he doesn’t need to spend his life alone and can be with whomever he wants.

Lisa doesn’t like him now for sure after all these years and with a few rumors, she already moved on long back.

However, the next minute she called me and I picked it up asking, “How are you? Is everything fine now?”

“What fine? I am exhausting myself to find a suitable role or a commercial. Now, tell me what is this piece of news. He got a girlfriend?” she asked and her tone is weird this time.

“Yes! He is serious about her too and happy with her.” I replied clearing my throat.

“He moved on from me?” she asked in a surprised tone.

“It’s been nearly four years. What do you expect?” I asked back and she stayed silent.

“Lisa?” I called her a few times and heard a sniff from her side.

“Are you crying?” I asked her in a worried tone.

“I still like him.” She whispered in a small tone.

“What?” I asked sitting straight.

“I tried to call him to wish him the moment you mentioned in the group about his birthday in the group but he didn’t pick it up at all.” She stated while I frowned.

“How can he… how can he be with someone else… I…” she started crying and I tried to find words while trying to wrap my mind around this situation.

“I still like him, Rohan. I… I don’t want to lose him.” I don’t know what to say hearing those words. What is this sudden twist?