Chapter 29: Chapter 29

*Nitish Pov*

“Nitish!” I finally found the source of the voice after looking around and smiled before walking closer to the crowd where she is waiting for me.

“I told you that I can come to the hotel on my own.” She smiled hugging me and we both reached the place where I parked my car.

“Was it tiring?” she asked helping me with the luggage while I shook my head.

“The flight got delayed a bit and that’s why I am late. You read my message and came at the changed time, right?” I asked starting the engine while she cleared her throat.

“That’s why I said I will come directly.” I sighed but she suddenly leaned over to kiss my cheek.

“I missed you!” she whispered shifting away but I pulled her back and kissed her properly.

“Thank you for taking leave today for my sake.” I whispered letting her go and she smiled while gesturing me to drive.

After we reached the hotel, she made me take a rest no matter how much I was against it.

“I didn’t stay back to spend time with you while you are tired. You can just rest and then we will talk.” She smiled pushing me back on the bed and covered me up.

I smiled at her words and somehow drifted off into sleep even after fighting to stay awake.

“Like I said he is sleeping and you can let me know if it is urgent.” I frowned hearing her voice and opened my eyes to see the room enclosed in darkness.

“Shrishti?” I called her and suddenly there was a light and she reached closer to me smiling.

“Your friend Rohan called an hour back but I told him that you are asleep. He called again and it could be urgent.” Saying that she passed the phone.

“What is it?” I asked taking the phone.

“Where are you? Lisa, Mani, and I came to your house to meet you as you took leave for today.” He replied.

“This is urgent? I took leave but I am not at home. I will meet you tomorrow at the office.” Saying that I cut the call and glanced at her face before explaining the reason behind his call.

“He could have just told me that and I would have explained you are not at your house. He just disturbed your sleep unnecessarily.” She sighed.

“You are right but I am glad he disturbed my sleep.” Saying that I pulled her over to kiss her while tugging her shirt to remove it and she smiled agreeing that I am right before kissing me back.

****

“I will miss you when you go there for the contract matter. But I wish I can send you off.” She whispered caressing my face.

“Me too! I will try to have some time for me to either meet you there or maybe book my ticket from that city.” I pulled her closer.

“Okay! Dad wants to meet you too as it’s been a long time. Meet him once when you are free but not today.” She closed her eyes after demanding that.

“Did you meet everyone during the weekend?” I asked her pressing a kiss to her head.

“No! I just met Leela Aunty (Prathap’s Mom) and that’s it on Saturday while on Sunday I attended Girish Uncle’s function.” I frowned hearing that.

“Were they busy?” she shook her head before explaining how both Anny and Kanika wouldn’t come and that’s why she didn’t meet them.

“Why do you need Anny and Kanika? Prathap and Vikranth are your bestfriends and not strangers.” I pointed it out.

“I just… I just didn’t meet them. I will meet them later when I come home again.” Saying that she stayed silent.

“Then how was the function? Mom asked me last week to attend it but suddenly this trip got added and I couldn’t return yesterday. Did you meet her?” I asked changing the topic but couldn’t help but frown thinking why is she uncomfortable to meet them alone?

“Yeah!” her reply was a huge drag.

“Don’t mind her! Just wait until my problem gets solved and I will have a serious talk with her. If she doesn’t accept you even after that, then just let her be.” I assured her but she didn’t make a sound.

“Your friends were there too.” She whispered after a few seconds.

“Did something happen?” I asked lifting her head to make her face me.

“Will you believe if I say something?” she asked back and I frowned before nodding.

“I don’t know about your friends but Lisa is really taunting me every moment we meet and making it show how your Mom accepts her and how close she is to you all while I am not.” She explained and I got confused hearing that.

“It must be a misunderstanding, Shrishti. She is close to them but she is trying to get Mom to understand us and that’s it.” I explained remembering how concerned was Lisa about finding Mom not accepting Shrishti.

“Is that what she said?” she asked shaking her head.

“Shrishti!” I called her but she just sighed.

“Leave it! I didn’t expect you to believe in the first place.” She mumbled turning away but I pulled her back.

“Maybe because of Mom’s attitude and how close Lisa is to her you are thinking like that. Didn’t you say how Anny got hurt seeing your closeness with Prathap’s Mom? But you were not intending to hurt her at all.” I pointed out and she froze hearing that.

“Hmm!” she made a sound closing her eyes.

“Forget it! Tell me what happened with the trip?” she asked changing the topic and while I tried to talk to her about Lisa she just shook her head and continued to ask me what happened with the trip.

I shook my head before telling her that it didn’t go well during the trip and I didn’t get a good signal for the investment.

“It’s okay! You have the states one and more will come.” She consoled me and I smiled at her words.

“I am fine! With the hope on that one, I didn’t think much about this failure. Everything will be fine the moment I sign the contract with them.” I mumbled and she smiled before not making any sound for a few seconds and then I realized that she is already sleeping.

I hugged her tightly and took another nap feeling tired with the past few day’s meetings of trying to get those investors. The moment she waved at me at the airport the disappointment just left me without any trace.

****

“Arjun will handle everything while I am away. Is there any problem with it?” I glanced at Rohan and Arjun after uttering those words.

“No!” Rohan mumbled looking down while I sighed.

“Did you investigate the investor?” I continued looking at him.

“I was about to but I don’t think there is any need to. They are negotiating at a factor which helps us and it is Lisa who introduced them. So, it is good to go.” I frowned hearing those words.

“I was busy with investigating the ones you met recently.” He added seeing my frown.

“But still it is better to do it. The stakes are high as the whole legality changes with the foreign investment involved." Arjun commented and I nodded before giving Rohan a pointed look.

“I will do it!” he mumbled nodding at me.

“Let’s hope everything goes well and they contact me soon to go to them and get everything settled. We can’t run the agency anymore even though we have Lucky bringing in the profit and also other artists.” They both nodded before walking out of the cabin.

I sighed leaning back hoping everything really goes well and then I can work on Mom’s thinking about my marriage and get married to Shrishti. I smiled at the last thought and messaged her asking what is she doing.

‘Working! Are you not busy, Mr. Busy?’ she immediately replied and I chuckled before calling her.

“Mr. Busy?” I repeated her words and she laughed at that.

“I went to the beach where we met accidentally and I remember how I run away from you that day.” I groaned remembering that.

“If I hadn’t run behind you then we wouldn’t have met again and it would have been a huge loss for me.” I pointed out.

“True! If not for you then I would have blamed everything over you while living my life and maybe after a few years I would have remembered you and then contacted you as I would have cooled down by then. Then maybe if we were both single then would have got together or maybe not.” I paused hearing those words.

“Nitish? Why are you silent?” she asked calling my name.

“I am just appreciating myself more for running behind you that day.” She teased me and I had to cut the call when I got another important call.

She didn’t mind it and asked me to let her know when I am free so that she can call me. However, the whole day there was no gap and even for the next day.

By the time I called her, I already got the confirmation from the states to travel there immediately. I called Rohan about the matter and also to book a ticket immediately irrespective of the cost.

After going home, I started packing my things while informing Mom about the matter and continued to try calling Shrishti.

I frowned when she didn’t pick the call for the second time and tried again while climbing down the stairs to let her know I am leaving but I have to take the flight from here itself losing the chance of seeing her.

“Hello?” she finally picked up and I smiled before explaining about the flight as Rohan messaged me the details and I need to leave immediately.

“Oh!” she made a sound but didn’t say anything.

“What happened?” I asked pausing at the last step frowning.

“Happy journey! I am just not feeling well and was sleeping.” She explained.

“Why? What happened?” I asked in a worried tone.

“Nitish! I will drop you at the airport.” I heard the voice and turned to find Rohan, Lisa, and Mom are in the living room.

“Just some dizziness and it will be fine if I take a rest.” She assured me through the phone.

“Shrishti! Stay at the villa until I return.” I said turning away from the others feeling worried about her health.

“It’s fine! It will take time to travel from there to work.” She pointed out.

“Get your assistant to do the work. Listen to me and stay there at least until you get well.” I forced her for the next few minutes and she finally accepted.

“If it makes you feel relieved then I will do it.” She promised before asking me to cut the call and leave otherwise I will not catch the flight.

I turned back after cutting the call to see three of them with some weird expressions. I reached Rohan before taking the files from him that I need.

“You investigated them, right?” I asked Rohan and he nodded hearing that question.

“Yes! By the time you reach there, I will get the whole report and I will send it to you.” He assured me and I nodded still feeling wrong that it got dragged until now.

“Mom! You need to take care and I will be back within two weeks.” I said looking at Mom and she nodded without saying anything.

“Don’t worry! I will take care of Aunty and you just have a successful trip. Don’t have any worries while going on a big important trip. Leave everything behind and be at peace.” Lisa assured me and I thanked her before leaving the house with Rohan but still worried about Shrishti as she was really sounding off.

She must be tired from working and will be fine after some rest. I took a deep breath while really hoping everything will go well on this trip and I return sooner than the scheduled time.

*Rohan Pov*

“You didn’t forget anything, right?” I asked reaching the signal and turned to glance at him only to see him distracted.

“Are you worried about the meeting with them? Didn’t you already attend a few conferences?” I pointed out.

“It’s not that! Maybe I should delay my travel a bit and go near her.” He mumbled and I frowned hearing those words.

“What?” To which he shook his head saying, “Is there another flight available in the evening? I will meet her once before going. She is not feeling well.”

“Are you mad? We got this ticket at the last minute and it was you who said it is urgent to go there immediately. You are going for a few weeks and will come back. She has her family to look after her. Don’t forget how important this is for our agency.” He sighed rubbing his forehead while I started driving with the change in signal.

I can’t believe he is worried about her right now. Does he… he likes her in the real sense? Or this is just a responsibility?

“You are right! I need to get this investment no matter what and get out of my Dad’s clutches so that he doesn’t demand stupid things from my life. I don’t want him to have that power over me and just want to live my life.” He said taking a deep breath and no longer thought about her.

Right! He is really upset with his Dad’s demand to get engaged to her. He is just a good guy and treating her well and having responsibility as she is his fiance.

He made me leave from the entrance while asking me to not forget about the query on this company. I assured him while sending him off and returned back to his house as Lisa is still there.

“Did he catch the flight?” Lisa asked when I stepped inside.

“He sent me away from the entrance.” I replied sitting down and found Aunty lost in her thoughts.

“He didn’t forget anything, right?” she continued and I sighed hearing that question.

“I asked him that but he was so distracted that I couldn’t ask him again to get a proper answer.” I replied making her frown.

“Nervous about the investment? He will get it no matter what.” Lisa waved me off but I shook my head at her words.

“It is because of Shrishti. Didn’t we hear him talking to her earlier and it seems like she is not feeling well and he is worried about her. He even asked me to cancel the flight so that he can go to her and catch the evening one.” I explained and Aunty turned to glance at me with a frown.

“Wow! This is such an important matter for him to travel himself instead of others but he wanted to delay for her? Why did she call him while he was leaving and mentioned it? No one does that for someone who is going for an important matter.” Lisa sighed shaking her head.

“Aunty! I heard Nitish mentioning some villa where he wants her to stay. What villa is it?” she asked looking at Aunty.

“It’s his grandmother’s and it is in the village near to the city she works in now. It is now in his name after she passed away. They both are staying there sometimes during the weekends.” Aunty replied rubbing her forehead.

“Oh!” Lisa mumbled while I frowned.

So, they are dating in a serious sense. If he is fine to live his life with her even though the relationship started because of the force from his dad, shouldn’t I accept it?

Yeah! I don’t want him to part from someone he likes and who cares how it started. I glanced at Lisa who is looking hurt and must be realizing the same.

I should have a word with her after leaving from here. I don’t like this Shrishti but if he likes her in the real sense then I don’t mind but I don’t want Lisa to get hurt too.

“Is it huge, Aunty?” Lisa continued.

“Yes! It is huge than this house and there is a lot of space around. The road is also in good state and it is near to the city.” Aunty explained smiling at her.

“Aunty! Why don’t we celebrate your anniversary there?” Lisa asked after a few minutes and I stared at her in surprise.

“I mean after Girish Uncle’s function, I think we can celebrate better and this Villa seems to be perfect.” She continued.

“There is still time for the anniversary.” Saying that Aunty stood up frowning.

“There is time but to get everything done there will take time. Also, I can see that you are stressed, Aunty. Even I want to have a holiday with some nature around. Why don’t we both take a holiday there?” Lisa asked smiling.

“But Shrishti is going to stay there right now.” I mumbled pointed it out.

“So? It is huge and why can’t we three stay? It will help Aunty to know her better and Shrishti will also know Aunty more.” Lisa explained but gave me a look to not say anything.

“Is it fine, Aunty?” She asked looking at her.

“Let’s talk about it later.” Saying that Aunty walked off while Lisa sighed.

We both left the place and I gave Lisa a ride to the hotel where she is staying. She didn’t get down and turned to glance at me.

“Did you start investigating the company? When will it take place?” She asked smiling.

“I mailed the person there yesterday and he said in the evening, he will go and query and I didn’t find anything online that is questionable.” I replied and she nodded.

“Okay! We need to make Aunty come with me to the Villa so that Aunty sees how rude Shrishti is instead of the fake politeness she is showing.” She mumbled while I cleared my throat.

“Lisa! I am questioning whether Nitish is against this marriage or not.” I commented and she froze.

“What do you mean?” I explained how he was worried and even about how they are staying together sometimes.

“It could have started with force but he must have started liking her. You know he is not the kind to have a physical relationship with just anyone.” I pointed out while she laughed.

“Okay! He likes her but what about her?” I frowned at her question.

“If she really likes him, then she would have tried to get Aunty to like her. She would have tried to be close to us. She doesn’t care about his world at all. Even today, she just selfishly talked about her health which could be true or not while he is going for such important work. Did you forget how she insulted you just because of GH? That GH is the one who caused all the problems for your company and now see how much you guys are trying to work and get away from the problems. Is she really the right person?” she asked and I tightened my hands on the wheel feeling the anger.

“And he is just settling for her. Is there any need for him? I love him, Rohan! I will make him happy and he will be my first priority. You know how much I tried to get your company to get success in the beginning by taking all kinds of jobs even though my dream was to be an actress.” She continued and I slowly nodded.

She is right! They could be together but is she right for him? Will he be happy? Why should he settle? Lisa loves him and cares for him.

“Okay! Let’s make Aunty go there with you and on weekends I will come there to help you with the arrangements of the function and also try to get others.” I mumbled and she smiled nodding at me.

“I know you care for him more than anyone. I brought this investor for him to help him free from his Dad’s clutches and also to make him stay away from her control where she is playing mind games with him. With some distance, he will be back to normal.” She smiled and I nodded before driving away after she got down.