Chapter 27: Chapter 27

*Nitish Pov*

“You are okay now?” Shrishti asked staring at my face with a worried look.

I don’t know! I mean, will she scold me if I say I was jealous of her praising Vikranth than anything else right now?

Today’s conference kind of boosted up my confidence to get back on track but when I heard her praising Vikranth the moment I opened the door, I felt a sense of loss.

At the same time, I felt glad to hear her words expressing my trouble because of Rohan’s actions. If he was not my friend then I would have fired him and even sued him long ago.

I tried my best to not be harsh but today hearing her saying the words in my heart just made me wish I clap for her. However, my jealousy won over this feeling and I kind of messed it up I think.

If not for our promise in the past that we will not point out our pasts, I would have said this honestly.

However, I understand her heart too. They know each other for so long and we just know each other for more than a year.

“Nitish!” her voice broke my thoughts and I sighed nodding.

“I am okay!” I whispered hugging her tightly and when she hugged me back instantly, I let go of all these feelings and just enjoyed her presence right now.

“Thank you for saying the words I want to tell Rohan all this time but don’t do it again. It’s all in the past and he regrets everything.” I added after calming my thoughts and she pulled back to stare at me.

“So, you are not hurt that I hurt your friend?” she asked frowning and I cleared my throat before shaking my head.

“You scared me! But I understand why you don’t want these things to be mentioned again. If he hadn’t talked about Vikranth then I wouldn’t have said anything.” She assured me while I sighed.

Vikranth! Will I ever be as important as him in her life? I shook my head the moment that thought crossed my head. He is just her first love and best friend while I am her fiance and her last love. Of course! I am important to her or at least I will be.

“I will talk to him. Let’s not talk about this and leave for our place. Are you hungry?” I asked getting up while holding her hand.

“I hope you are really not thinking of the hotel as our place.” She whispered not getting up.

“Let’s go to my home then?” I offered and she immediately shook her head standing up in a rush.

“Facing your friends is enough for today. I don’t have energy left for your mother. It will really be a nightmare for me to meet your friends and your Mom at a time.” She mumbled and I froze hearing her words.

What can I say to her words? Can I say that she is wrong? No! But they just need time to know each other and everything will be fine.

I can understand Shrishti’s reaction as everyone she met until now became close to her from her childhood like Vikranth’s family and also Prathap’s but now she found the people with whom she can’t get along.

“Let’s go!” she pulled me and we both left the cabin holding hands while I tried to think of any way to get everyone closer.

When we reached downstairs, I found my friends near the entrance making me frown. Didn’t they leave early on? Why are they still here?

I think they are more surprised than me when they glanced at us. Shrishti paused realizing their presence and I passed her my keys to get inside my car.

“What are you all still doing here?” I asked reaching them after she walked away towards my car.

“That… everything fine?” Lisa asked staring at Shrishti’s back.

“Yeah! Why wouldn’t it be?” I asked back folding my arms while Arjun smiled.

“I was worried that you both will fight. Good thing that it is resolved. It was not her mistake though.” He mumbled and I nodded smiling at him.

“Am I really your friend? She said so many things and it doesn’t matter to you? We are friends for more than a decade.” Rohan pointed out while frowning.

“Am I really your friend?” I asked back making him look confused.

“I understand Lisa is the one who did a mistake by passing to you the rumor she heard about Anny and asked you to spread it more. But it was your decision to do it and you can see the result of it. You were supposed to protect the company in my absence but what did you do? Didn’t I let it go? Didn’t you see how hard we are working to correct the situation? Why are you blaming someone else for your actions? She was defending her friend. You want me to defend you? Then the mistake shouldn’t be from your side for me to do that.” He gave a shocked look along with others hearing my words.

“And by the way, if you think Shrishti is pointing out your mistake because you are not her friend then you are wrong. She will react more if it was her friend who did the mistake and I am confident in that fact. So, stop looking at her as part of GH and start looking at her more as part of my life.” With those words, I walked away fisting my hands.

Shrishti stayed silent during the drive towards the hotel and I got worried thinking did she misunderstood when I sent her away to talk to them. She is not the type to misunderstand that easily but with everything that happened, I can’t say.

The moment I closed the door of our room, she turned me around before kissing me without giving me a second to react.

“What… what happened?” I asked coming out of my shock.

“I should have realized you are not that biased and know what is right and wrong.” She replied and kissed me again.

“Did you hear what I said?” I asked hugging her to finally not be shocked with her kissing and be an active participant.

“No! But I can guess from their expressions and the way Lisa and Rohan’s expressions changed, I can so understand. Anyway, let’s not talk about them. You were tired, right? Get freshened up and sleep while I give you some neck massage.” She pulled me towards the washroom.

"I don’t feel that tired anymore.” She shook her head and just pushed me into the washroom.

I sighed taking a bath but frowned remembering her earlier words. This is why I didn’t say anything to Rohan in her presence.

She doesn’t have a good opinion about my friends and Mom and if I just accept her words and add my real feelings then there will be no turning back from that.

There will always be this distance and I can’t bear to have it. All I can do is to show their good side in front of her and make her change the way she thinks about these things while defending her in front of them to show that she is important to me.

But this is kind of tiring at the same time to not say the things that I really want to during the situations while thinking about the effects that will be caused. And it kind of feels like everything is turning into a huge mess sometimes and I feel lost on what to do with everything.

----

“Where are you?” I frowned hearing her question and checked the time.

“Sorry! I didn’t check the time and I am still at work.” I replied switching off the system and stood up to hurry.

“I was trying to call you earlier when I left my home but it didn’t get connected. Will you be able to attend?” she asked in a worried tone.

“I am leaving right now but I don’t look presentable at the moment.” I mumbled looking down at my messy attire.

“It’s okay! If you are tired then no need to attend but if it is about attire then I have an expert here who can help you.” She assured me and I cut the call saying I will be there soon.

I am a bit nervous today and was really on verge of saying I am tired and will not attend the function when she asked me but I can’t skip it every time.

She already met my friends so many times and even though the result is not that good but I can’t hide from her friends.

We met during the engagement but it was for a few minutes. Like her with my friends, I can face the distance too but I need to meet first.

And as it is an occasion, it will be less stressful to meet than in any private setting. With that thought, I stepped out only to bump into Rohan.

He gave a polite nod which I returned before walking away. After that day, there is some distance between us and I didn’t meet my friends much for the whole week except for work issues and Rohan kept his distance.

He can think I am wrong from his perspective but I can’t change my words and I am already busy with other issues. Let’s think about Shrishti’s friends for now.

More than her friends, I am dreading while thinking about Anny’s presence in today’s function. I wish she is not there but this is her boyfriend’s function and why wouldn’t she be there.

I even heard she asked for leave from shooting to attend the function from Lucky as he too got a leave because of this and left for his home for this weekend.

Taking a deep breath, I started driving towards Prathap’s new branch of restaurant and walked inside while calling Shrishti but she cut the call immediately.

“I was waiting for you. Come on! Kanika is waiting for you.” Saying that she reached my side and held my hand.

“Where?” I asked looking around.

“Do you want to be stared at by everyone while she works on you? We need to take those stairs.” Saying that she pulled me outside and we climbed two floors to reach the rooms on the top of the building.

“Kanika! Are you there?” she called walking inside and didn’t let go of my hand.

“Yeah! Is he here? I am adjusting Prathap’s suit.” We heard a reply and I calmed my expression before stepping inside to find Prathap and Kanika in the room that looks like a living room.

“Please don’t tell me you are going to live here like in the previous restaurant.” Shrishti asked looking around.

“Of course not! My fiance has such a huge house remember?” Prathap pointed out before nodding at me.

“Fiance?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Girlfriend!” he whispered with a disappointed look and I nodded in understanding even though I didn’t as I remember them canceling their engagement a few months back.

“Done! Don’t diet along with Anitha next time or at least don’t wear your old suits.” Kanika mumbled shaking her head.

“How can I eat when she is not eating?” he shrugged with a sad look while she waved him off with a roll in her eyes.

“Remove your coat!” Kanika asked forwarding her hand.

When I didn’t move in confusion, she frowned at me but waited patiently, and when Shrishti moved to remove my coat I finally moved.

“Do you want to change your shirt?” she asked looking at me and I shook my head as it seems fine.

“Just the coat, Kanika. He is here to meet you all than anything else but because of the media, he needs a neat coat.” Shrishti explained holding my hand smiling at me.

“Thank you!” I mumbled nodding at Kanika before looking around.

“When will Vikranth reach?” Shrishti asked looking at Prathap while he shrugged.

“He is on the way and I brought his suit.” Kanika replied gesturing to the couch where a suit is placed.

“Oh!” Shrishti made a sound while frowning at Kanika and I frowned at her for her weird reaction.

“Are you always this quiet?” Prathap asked clearing his throat and I glanced at him not knowing what to say.

“Don’t worry! Except for a few warnings, we will not harm you.” He assured me smiling while Shrishti hit his shoulder.

“Don’t tease him like that.” Shrishti warned him in a serious tone.

“Why not? Even I got tested a few times by you, didn’t I?” we all turned hearing a new voice, and found Anny crossing the entrance to reach us.

“Right! Just a bit is allowed then.” Shrishti mumbled but her hold tightened on my hand.

“You need to go if everything is done. They are waiting for you and your assistant is tensed.” Anny commented looking at Prathap.

“Fine! Thank you for taking care of the guests until now. I will be going then.” Saying that he hugged her.

“Wait until Vikranth is here for our discussion.” Adding those words to me he walked away and I didn’t care about that right now because a time bomb is here.

What if Anny will say anything to Shrishti now? I don’t think she will as she didn’t until now. Every day I was worried she will but she didn’t say anything.

It is better if I was the one to say everything to Shrishti but I am just not daring to right now when there are troubles with my friends and Mom.

“How have you been?” I asked clearing my throat and Anny turned to look at me in silence.

“Oh right! She was in your agency before Vikranth signed her up, right?” Shrishti said remembering it after giving a confused look at my words.

“Yeah! Vikranth paid penalty to get me away from NK agency.” Anny replied nodding at her while I stiffened.

“He always had a good eye. I am sure Nitish is regretting to let go of such talent but it’s in the past.” Shrishti shrugged teasing me.

“Right!” Anny nodded smiling at her but it slipped when she looked at me.

I cleared my throat to ask Kanika how long it will take but Anny beat me saying, “Aunty is here, Shrishti! Go and meet her while I will give him company until Kanika irons the coat.”

“Is it fine?” Shrishti asked glancing at Anny and I couldn’t find an excuse to stop her.

She let go of my hand and started walking away while I took a step to stand away from Anny.

To my surprise, Anny didn’t say anything for a few minutes and it was just silence but it broke with Kanika returning from the room with my coat.

“Don’t worry, Sir! I will not tell Shrishti anything as it is related to your professional ethics. But it is better to just tell her yourself.” Anny commented and I finally glanced at her and then at Kanika.

“She knows! And Kanika is the one who stopped me from sharing this with Shrishti. I sent her away to ask you a few things, Sir.” She continued.

Kanika shifted closer to me and gestured me to move my hands and started adjusting my shirt which helped the creases to hide better and passed the coat to my hands.

“No need to call me Sir anymore.” I mumbled wearing my coat but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore to meet her eye.

My only worry was Shrishti knowing about it. She already thinks Vikranth is best and even thinks I am good but if she finds this out then she will be disappointed.

“What do you want to ask?” I asked calmly and she smiled.

“Shrishti said that you like her too. More than Lisa?” the direction of this question surprised me as I thought she will ask whether I regret it or not and I would honestly say that I regret it.

“Yes! Lisa is just my friend now while Shrishti is my fiance.” I replied.

“I am not asking what relation is between Shrishti and you. Do you like her more than Lisa?” she pointed out and I nodded saying I like her.

“Good! I just want to say that she is an important person for many people and that too for the people with power. So, don’t hurt her and get attacked in return by those people.” Saying that she turned towards Kanika who nodded at her smiling.

“I am sorry, Anny!” I apologized looking at her and she turned to gave a surprised look at me.

“It was wrong of me to take your opportunity away and I really regret letting a talent like you leave NK.” I added honestly.

“It’s okay! I found so many things because of your action. Like Prathap, GH, and many things.” She smiled nodding.

“I am not forgiving you but just letting it go because you are Shrishti’s family and in turn Prathap’s.” she added and I nodded accepting her decision.

“Done? Both of you leave and join the function.” We both turned to find Vikranth already standing near the door.

“Both? Three of us should leave, right?” Anny commented raising her eyebrow but gestured me to move.

Anny and I climbed down the stairs in silence. I actually didn’t expect that I will be finally letting go of my nerves in Anny’s presence and not worry about Shrishti finding it out anymore.

However, I need to tell her soon but not now as this will just make her not increase the thoughts about Lisa actually here to be with me.

“Shrishti is a good person and also innocent in a way. I misunderstood her in the past but now I like her every time I am understanding a bit more whenever we meet. I heard she can’t bear any stress like others. Recently she looks absent-minded and thinking far away along with not meeting her friends much like in the past. Do you know anything about it?” Anny continued and I paused which made her pause.

“You know!” she stated understanding my answer.

“I will not ask you the reason as it will be too much of my involvement in a couple’s life but solve it soon. Everyone realized her change in attitude but stopping themselves to involve while respecting her choices. If they step in then it will be a mess.” She explained and I thanked her for the warning.

“Keep Lisa away from Shrishti.” With those words, she parted away to walk towards Prathap who is waving at her while I frowned at her last words.

Is it because of what happened in the past and also the recent rumor issue? They should have known that even Lisa is involved in spreading the rumor but they need to understand that her professional mistake is different from my friendship.

Shrishti is my fiance and except for the difference of opinion, there is nothing wrong. I guess like Shrishti, even Anny is thinking too much about my past relationship with Lisa.

“It doesn’t look creased at all.” Shrishti commented reaching my side with a smile.

“Yeah! I don’t know how Kanika did it, but she adjusted the creases on the shirt too that will display with the coat on.” I mumbled looking down.

“The past two years I didn’t realize she had such a talent and wasted my money and effort completely on outsiders and now I am using her for anything related to attires. I regret wasting those two years.” She sighed.

“Why? She is still part of the family and there are many years in the future.” I pointed out frowning.

“Right! I… I am talking about how I will be busy when I become your family unlike in the past.” She explained looking away.

Then she took me near her Dad and Prathap’s parents and it went smoothly with them. I thought it will be tense to converse with elders but I was actually nervous while talking with the ones who are younger than me.

The function started and we all settled down which turns out to be the table where Vikranth and his wife along with Anny are sitting while Prathap is giving a speech.

“Will you be called again this year?” Shrishti asked looking at Anny.

“Of course! I am the unofficial brand of this restaurant.” She replied winking and I smiled along with everyone.

“Now, my girlfriend will give another fun speech.” Prathap stressed the word ‘Girlfriend’ which made Anny and Shrishti laugh while Vikranth sighed from my side.

“He is still a kid.” Vikranth whispered shaking his head.

“He just wants to shout for everyone that they are still together.” Shrishti pointed out while clapping for Anny.

“Even though he is taking it normally, it must still be not that good for both of them to always assure everyone that they are together.” She added frowning.

“You are right! He is just putting on a hard face but he is troubled. I am trying to think of some solution.” Vikranth nodded.

“Why don’t they get engaged again? That will clear all doubts.” I offered but Vikranth shook his head.

“Along with adultery rumor, her so-called cheating rumor also got spread. After that conference, her personal life is not in news like in the past. If they get engaged then everything will be dug out again. It is better for her to lay low for now.” Vikranth explained and I nodded feeling guilty at the same time.

“I apologize on behalf of NK.” He frowned hearing those words.

“No need! Shrishti said it was your friend and we will take apology only from the people who did it.” He waved me off.

“You can accept his now to make him feel good. He must be feeling guilty as it is his company no matter who was leading it during that time.” Kanika commented and I felt glad for her to say such things.

Vikranth stayed silent not saying anything for a few seconds before uttering, “Then I accept your apology.”

“Hello! The unofficial brand ambassador is here to give her speech.” I smiled at Anny’s words but sighed in relief hearing Vikranth’s acceptance of the apology.

“I actually don’t want my boyfriend to cook for others except for me but I am sacrificing him with a kind heart. So, everyone better take advantage of it.” I shook my head while Shrishti laughed.

“No wonder Prathap is still crazy as Anny is crazier than him.” Shrishti commented and I turned to see her smiling happily.

Her whole face is glowing from the moment I met her today. It’s like this is her personal world and this is missing whenever she enters my personal world.

I need to hurry in solving the company’s problems and then handle the personal ones. I don’t want her to lose that smile in my world at all.