Chapter 24: Chapter 24

*Shrishti Pov*

“Movie? But I don’t know when can I come to your home.” I mumbled in return for his suggestion.

“It’s okay! I don’t have any particular movie in mind to watch. We will adjust according to the time you can come here. Or we can meet directly at the mall.” He offered and I smiled accepting his plan before we both hang up.

“You look happy, Shrishti.” I turned around to find Leela Aunty who seems to just reach the living room from the kitchen looking at me with a smile.

“I am!” I whispered and hugged her back.

It’s been a long time since I actually tried to spend time with her as I gave myself a goal to be as independent as possible. Of course, that goal went into some black hole as I ended up being dependent on Nitish.

However, somewhere it feels like I am actually not that dependent on Nitish like I was with my friends in the past.

“Uncle already left for work?” I asked checking the time.

“Don’t even ask about him at all, Dear. After he forced Anny to break the engagement and the way Prathap gave that false statement but also kind of true in a way that his father is the one against their relationship, he is being too childish. Right now he is working like a crazy man and is not staying back at all as I am taking Prathap and Anny’s side.” She shook her head while I frowned.

“Uncle is against their relationship?” she laughed shaking her head.

“No! He thought there is finally a chance to get Prathap back to the company as he too saw how much they both love each other. He didn’t expect Anny to do that and even Prathap’s reaction to it. He is adamant that Prathap went against the contract three times and need to join but Prathap is just ignoring him.” She explained and I nodded slowly.

I didn’t know that all this was happening. Prathap or Vikranth didn’t say anything and it could be because every time we are meeting, they just trying to know about my welfare and also about Nitish’s intentions.

I sighed feeling guilty thinking if I was like before, could I have given some moral support or try to get Uncle to calm down. No! Anny is there for him right now and I need to shut my mouth unless it is necessary.

“Aunty, you didn’t like Anny in the beginning, right? Why didn’t you like her and why do you like her for Prathap now?” I asked trying to be subtle with my expression and she stared at me with a shocked look.

“Is everything fine?” she asked worriedly and I immediately nodded assuring her.

“It is a long reason but I guess it is fine to share it with you now that you have your own life and have a person you love.” I got really curious when she started with that line.

“I knew that you liked Vikranth from the beginning but I don’t know whether you know that Prathap liked you too.” I got stunned but voiced out that I already knew about Prathap.

“So, even though Prathap is my son, I wanted you to have happiness in life after going through such hardship at that young age and you are like a daughter to me. However, Vikranth ended up marrying her and I have seen you hurting because of it. On top of that even when I tried to get closer to her, she was so silent all the time and didn’t see any of us as a part of the family. Vikranth’s family is definitely of higher status than us from the beginning but they always cared for us as a family but I didn’t see that in her and ended up being rude to her. Next, I thought Prathap will take care of you but then you got engaged and when it got canceled, I was about to bring the matter near your Dad to have you marry Prathap.” I just sat there in silence feeling numb while she is continuing to talk.

“Who would have thought that my husband will create such fake engagement between Anny and Prathap? So, I was sad, and already knowing Prathap will not get happiness along with you until this contract, I lashed out without even thinking of my age. The moment I realized they both like each other, I let go of all these feelings and genuinely saw her as my future daughter-in-law. However, I still can’t be thinking anything about Vikranth’s wife but I am not seeing her recently for any gatherings along with you.” She frowned while my eyes widened.

Because of me? Kanika and Anny got such cold treatment because of me? If not for me then… then it would have been fine?

“Shrishti?” she asked holding my hand when I stayed silent for a long time.

“What happened? Don’t think anything about these things. It’s all in the past and I finally realized everyone has their own destined partner and what the third person thinks is not important. So, I hope I am not thinking much but if Nitish’s mother is giving you any trouble then don’t think about her at all. By the passing of time, she has to accept you.” She mumbled.

“You know?” I asked in a whisper.

“Yes! I have seen her disinterest during the engagement party. However, if it is more than disinterest, you need to tell us no matter what. All of us are there for you. Okay?” she asked while I slowly nodded.

Yes! All of them are there for me but because of that many got hurt in the process. Not just my actions but even my presence can hurt someone. I… I don’t know what to do at all.

Isn’t it ironic that because of me Kanika and mainly Anny didn’t get acceptance and now I am facing the same?

How can I complain right now about any of such things with my mouth when I just found out all these things?

I sighed rubbing my forehead when Aunty went back into the kitchen to get the helpers to prepare some snacks for me.

I came here thinking there will be some background knowledge on how to deal with Kalyani Aunty (Nitish’s Mom) but in return got the knowledge on how I hurt Anny and Kanika indirectly too.

Pressing a hand on my chest, I took a deep breath to control my emotions and finally left the house saying, I need to meet Nitish.

Aunty looked sad but I really can’t stay here anymore for sure and need some space to think things through.

I messaged Nitish that I am coming to his place but requested that we leave immediately from outside and took a cab to reach that place while lost in my thoughts.

I can’t help but think about the words exchange between Anny and Aunty and even those times when Aunty gossiped about Kanika with me. Why? Why am I this involved in all this?

I controlled my expression reaching the entrance and walked inside only to find Nitish already walking out with a smile on his face.

“What happened?” he asked seeing my expression and I shook my head smiling.

“I missed you!” I replied and he laughed at my line as we met just yesterday before holding my hand but before we could reach his car which he parked near the gate to leave soon, someone called his name.

We both turned to find a woman walking towards us with a smile from the entrance gate and seems like she just came here using a cab while the pressure on my hand increased from Nitish’s hold.

“Lisa? What are you doing here?” he asked and I concentrated on the name before remembering that’s his first love.

“I am here to meet Aunty. It is the weekend, right? So, I thought of hanging out with you here along with our friends. I already called them and even informed Aunty.” She smiled while he frowned.

“Why didn’t you contact me?” he asked frowning.

“Well, I heard that your fiance is in the city when I asked Rohan why you canceled our plans. So, I didn’t want to disturb you. You seem to be going somewhere. You can go!” she waved before turning to finally glance at me.

“I am Lisa!” she introduced herself with a smile.

“Shrishti!” I mumbled with a calm smile.

She is indeed beautiful like Nitish mentioned but she doesn’t have the charm like Anny if we compare two actors.

“We will go!” Nitish stated making me stare at him with a questioning look.

He definitely needs to answer a few things for sure. Why did he hide that the friend who returned is Lisa? It must be her if she is talking about the so-called canceled plans. I think I will soon have trauma in the term of canceling plans with the way it is being mentioned so much.

If I didn’t know better I would think their plan was world-changing and not just a simple hangout with friends.

We both continued to stare at each other while I have a questioning look, he gave a soft smile making me roll my eyes.

“We would have missed you even though we are here early.” We both heard a new voice and turned to find his friends already reached in a single car.

“You all can go inside. We will be leaving as we both have plans.” Nitish mumbled unlocking the car and I didn’t say anything but we both blocked again and this time from his Mom.

“I was thinking where were you and came out when the helper mentioned that the guests are outside. Nitish! Where are you going? They are already here, you come inside.” She ordered before turning around to walk inside and didn’t even gave me a glance.

Her attitude always gave an irritation before but now I don’t feel anything. Did something like this happen to Kanika or Anny because of me?

“Didn’t I tell you that I have plans with Shrishti for a whole day earlier? Why did you plan to hang out at my place when you know I will not be here.” Nitish asked Rohan in a hard tone breaking my thoughts.

“Can’t we hang out without you? Anyway, Lisa wanted to meet Aunty and we are here thinking it’s been too long since we visited. Is it wrong?” His friend asked back in a confused tone and Nitish sighed rubbing his forehead.

“Should I leave? We can meet later in the day.” I offered thinking it will be good for me to spend some time alone with my thoughts too.

“No! We will just go.” He was adamant but I know this will just ruin any chance of his Mom accepting our relation.

“Why don’t we stay for some time and leave?” I offered and he frowned hearing that before checking the time.

“Let’s go inside everyone. Aunty is waiting for us and you all know she doesn’t like waiting.” Lisa joked before everyone walked inside leaving both of us alone.

He stayed there for a few seconds before walking inside with a sigh while whispering, “Just for a few minutes, and then we will leave saying we already bought tickets and we will be late.”

“In which theatre, a movie is being played within a short time? Do you think they don’t know the general show timings?” I whispered back smiling and he groaned while I patted his hand.

“It’s okay! We have tomorrow to spend together and today is not over.” I pointed out.

“In the meantime, instead of thinking how to escape early from here, think of how to explain to me regarding your omission of truth regarding Lisa being the friend who returned from the states and the one you are spending the time with.” I added and he stiffened.

“Shrishti!” He called out but I shook my head.

“Prepare a full presentation and even include whether your feelings are stirred after meeting the first love. The moment you stared at her after a long time and the moment you hear her voice and the moment you held her hand and the moment…” he covered my mouth before I could say anything while I tried to control my laugh.

“Are you teasing me right now?” he asked frowning.

“Am I?” I asked back after removing his hand.

“You are not angry?” I shook my head saying, “I know you hid it for my sake but don’t do it again. I prefer honesty to the consideration for my feelings.”

He suddenly hugged me hearing those words while whispering, “If I don’t think that anyone can walk out to check on us, I would have kissed you right now.”

“I will take your promise so that you can achieve it when we are alone.” I whispered pushing him away before walking inside and found all of them sitting in the living room.

I stared at Lisa sitting beside Aunty on the couch while the friends shared the chairs remaining and one of them patted the single chair smiling and I remember that he is Arjun who is working with Nitish.

“Thank you!” I mumbled because I don’t want to sit with Aunty right now.

I stared at the way Lisa is talking to Aunty and if I say I feel comfortable then it would be a lie. If I say I am fine with Nitish hiding her matter is also a lie but I can understand his place.

However, just because I understand doesn’t mean I am fine. We promised each other long back that we will not mind about our own pasts and he didn’t mind when I met with Vikranth and was even cordial with him. So, why can’t I do the same?

“Nitish! Sit here and listen to what Lisa is saying. She doesn’t want to stay here at all. I heard that her parents will take another three months to return. How can she stay at the hotel all alone as a woman? It is not safe to live at her home too all alone.” Aunty voiced out her worry while I raised my eyebrow.

“It is her wish, Mom.” Nitish mumbled while sitting on the arm of my chair and I adjusted a bit so that it is comfortable and everyone didn’t say anything seeing this.

“How can I, Aunty? Even though I stayed at the states, it is not good to stay here and even his fiance will feel troubled.” Lisa mumbled and I raised my eyebrow again for pulling me into this conversation.

“Do you have a problem?” Aunty asked looking at me.

This is my chance to gain a few points? And so I replied, “Not at all, Aunty. What problem can I have if she stays here?”

Nitish pinched my waist while I continued saying, “Nitish can stay at my place in the meantime. My Father stays alone and they both can bond too with this until Lisa can be free of this problem.”

I will get points from this, right? I thought feeling relieved and even smiled but that smile froze looking at Aunty’s expression.

They stopped involving me again while I couldn’t help but concentrate on the way both Aunty and Lisa interacted.

After a few minutes, I suddenly realized a thing. This… this… feels too familiar. Why? I thought and my eyes widened.

I can see myself in Lisa’s place and Leela Aunty (Prathap’s Mom) in Kalyani Aunty’s place. I turned to stare at Prath… Nitish’s face and he frowned looking at my face.

“What happened?” he asked in a whisper.

“Does… does Aunty know that Lisa and you were together in the past?” I asked covering the sound and he stiffened but nodded.

“She was supporting?” he nodded again while gave me a confused look.

“What happened? Why are you asking such things?” he asked while I held his hand tightly.

“Can we leave?” I asked in an urgent tone wishing to leave this place right now.

“What? What happened?” He asked frowning while I calmly stood up not letting go of his hand.

“Let’s go!” I mumbled walking towards the door and he followed while throwing the words at them saying, “We are getting late and we will take leave first.”

I didn’t let go of his hand until I had to sit in his car and stayed silent while he continued to ask me what happened even though driving towards the mall.

What happened? I suddenly got the intuition that his Mom is against me not because of me but because she wants Nitish to be with Lisa. Why is everything so ironic?