Chapter 30: Chapter 30

*Shrishti Pov*

“Madam!” I groaned when I felt someone shaking me and slowly opened my eyes to find one of the helpers looking at me worriedly.

“What happened, Aunty?” I asked clearing my throat while she checked my forehead.

“How are you feeling, Madam?” she asked back and I took a deep breath before letting out a yawn.

“I am fine now. Don’t worry about me. I can even go to work after this weekend.” I replied smiling but she didn’t smile back.

“It’s true! It’s already been three days since I felt sick and I am fine now.” I assured her and she slowly nodded before stepping back.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside to find it’s already past eleven. I gave her a smile and got down from the bed but immediately returned to my previous posture when I started feeling dizzy.

“Can you prepare some food, Aunty? I guess I need to eat something to get some strength.” I mumbled and she immediately nodded but didn’t move from her place.

“What happened?” I repeated the question from earlier.

“Sir’s Mom and someone else is here, Madam. It’s been a few hours since they came and we already got them settled in guest rooms but Sir’s Mom doesn’t look happy when we told her that you were resting.” She explained and all I could do was to stare at her.

I felt surprised for a few seconds but then anxiousness took over that feeling and now I don’t know how to handle his Mom when I can’t even handle myself.

“Okay! I will come down soon. Prepare good lunch for them and no need to prepare anything special for me as there is not much time and I will have lunch with them.” I mumbled and she hesitantly walked out of the room while I took my phone.

It will be just after midnight right now at his place and there is no use to tell him about this right now by disturbing his sleep. I am sure he doesn’t know she came here otherwise he would have given a heads-up for me.

After freshening up, I climbed downstairs only to pause at the last step finding out who is the other person with Aunty.

I should have known it would be her but decided to wait with my judging until I am sure of it.

“Good Mor… Afternoon, Aunty!” I greeted her smiling at her and gave the other person a polite nod.

Why are they here suddenly? As far as I heard, Aunty and Uncle never visited this place much and his friends never came here.

“Good Afternoon, Shrishti! You just woke up?” I ignored Lisa’s words before glancing at the dining area.

“Lunch must be prepared, Aunty. Why don’t we…” Lisa cut me off asking, “Already? It is just past twelve. Oh! You must not have eaten from the morning. You can continue while I will have lunch with Aunty at the proper time.”

At first, I really wanted to have lunch with them and even wait for some time while ignoring my hunger but now I don’t want to care about anything.

I better gather some energy to deal with Lisa’s taunts or any of her plans to show her so-called closeness with Aunty. I sighed walking towards the dining area and smiled at the person who started serving me.

“How are you feeling now? Why don’t I call a doctor from the village?” she offered but I shook my head.

“I was tired recently with work and it had an impact on my body. I will be fine if I continue to take a rest during the weekend.” I assured her and she smiled before walking away.

After finishing the food, I decided to send a message to let him know they are here even though I can’t call him right now.

I tried to waste some time sitting idle in the chair to not face them but with a sigh, I stood up to reach the living room where they both are talking to each other and calmly sat down not uttering a word.

What do they talk about every minute? Even Nitish and I don’t talk this much. I don’t even talk to my friends this much.

“I think this place is enough for the function and it is near to the city which will help the guests to reach in a relaxed manner and no need to get in trouble while crossing the village.” I frowned hearing those words from Lisa and glanced at her.

“What function?” I asked clearing my throat and ended up raising my voice without having any intention as I was confused.

“I forgot to mention earlier about it as you went to have lunch or should I say brunch. I am sorry!” she mumbled instead of replying to my question.

“Why are you apologizing? You are not in the wrong as she is the one who didn’t have any discipline regarding the time and woke up late.” Aunty commented before I could say anything and I frowned hearing that.

“I am not feeling well, Aunty. And I didn’t know you were coming otherwise I would have…” Aunty cut me off asking, “Is this your place or my Son’s?”

“Of course, this is Nitish’s place but that doesn’t mean I can be ready to welcome you 24/7 and…” I cut myself off this time not knowing what to even say in this situation.

“Leave it, Aunty! Each one of us has different lifestyles.” Lisa mumbled and gave me a smile while I gave her a blank look.

“What is the function about, Aunty? I can help you.” I offered even though after reaching the limit of my politeness because of her earlier words.

Nitish is important! Nitish shouldn’t get hurt! Nitish will get hurt if I don’t be patient! While chanting those things in my head, I tried to stay calm.

“No need! We both can manage.” Saying that she stood up and started walking away.

“Aunty!” this time I called her loudly while fisting my hands.

I want to shout at her for not respecting me even like a normal person and showing that aversion just because I am engaged to her son. Am I forcing Nitish to marry me? Am I forcing Nitish to like me?

“Did you call me, Shrishti?” one of the helpers Aunty reached the living room and I stared at her in shock while relaxing my fists and found Nitish’s Mom too stopping for a second but walked away after hearing the helper’s voice.

I gestured the helper Aunty to leave saying it’s nothing and she nodded smiling before walking away.

“Oh my god! You call them Aunty too? How weird it is that you use the same greeting for Nitish’s Mom and these helpers.” Lisa laughed shaking her head which I definitely ignored.

How Lisa behaves is not at all important for me anymore and I even decided the same regarding Aunty’s behavior. But no matter what, we will be a family in the future, and should I bear this lifelong?

“Why don’t you call her Mom? You will be her daughter-in-law soon, right?” Lisa commented folding her arms.

Mom? I have to call the person who doesn’t like me and doesn’t respect me as Mom? That is the last thing I want to do and so I stood up to leave but Lisa blocked my way to continue her words.

“You should try it and it could make Aunty accept you. It will also reduce Nitish’s worry.” She pointed out while I walked away in silence not acknowledging her words.

However, after reaching the room, I stood before the mirror and closed my words while muttering, “Mom!” a few times while imagining Nitish’s Mom in front of me.

I wouldn’t have cared for Lisa’s words but then when she mentioned how Nitish’s worry can be reduced if there is no problem between his Mom and me, I want to give it a try.

I personally don’t care if Aunty… Mom doesn’t accept me but then I care for Nitish and no matter how much I pushed this duty on him, I can’t let him worry about it.

****

In the evening, I reached the kitchen to find the helper preparing coffee and asked me whether I want one too. I gave her a nod but she continued mentioning how the guest asked for juice.

“There are no fruits and no juice in the fridge.” She commented and I frowned nodding at her.

This time I didn’t buy groceries as I came here while not feeling well. There were fruits at this place but I had just those these three days and they are over now.

“It’s okay! Just prepare coffee for her too.” She nodded before preparing it along with arranging the snacks to eat.

“I will take it. There will be no problem with preparing the dinner, right? I will get groceries tomorrow.” I asked as until now it was just me but now with the guests the usage will increase.

“I will check everything and let you know, Madam.” I smiled nodding and she informed me that they are in the garden.

I took a deep breath while walking towards the garden and started encouraging myself to call Nitish’s Mom as Mom instead of Aunty. It is better to start from today itself and maybe by the time he returns I can get completely used to it.

When I reached the garden where a proper seating arrangement is done by Grandma in the past, I found them still talking to each other but paused when they realized my presence.

“Umm… Mom! I brought you coffee.” I finally dared to utter those words and Aunty paused hearing that while staring at me.

“Why are you calling me like that?” she asked frowning and as usual before I can open my mouth to explain, Lisa opened her mouth.

“I suggested to her that as she calls the helpers as Aunty and it will be confusing until we stay here, Aunty.” She commented while I frowned at the way she presented those words.

“It is not because of that, Mom. After thinking about Lisa’s suggestion, I thought we can be close if we remove a few barriers as we are going to be family.” I explained but she frowned taking the cup from the tray.

After taking mine from the tray, I sat down and offered the remaining one for Lisa who frowned staring at the cup.

“What is this? Didn’t I ask for juice? I don’t drink Tea or Coffee.” She stated standing up with an angry expression.

“Right now there is no juice or fruits as I forgot to bring needed groceries while coming here. Just have it for today and tomorrow I will get the groceries.” I explained but she didn’t sit down.

“There are more than three helpers. Why can’t one of them go and bring some fruits from the near shop?” she asked and I continued to explain that the shops are far from the villa and it is not good for them to go and come just for fruits as it will take a long time.

“Madam!” I turned to find one of the helpers reaching us from the backdoor.

“What is it?” Aunty and I asked at the same time.

“Uhmm… we just checked the items for food and they are enough until tomorrow evening. Need to buy rice and a few grains.” She explained looking at me after pausing for a second.

“Okay! I will get them tomorrow or one of you can bring them while arriving in the morning.” She nodded walking back into the house while Lisa just continued her debate.

“They should have told me that when I requested them for Juice.” I rubbed my forehead hearing her still hanging over it.

“Didn’t I say that we will get juice tomorrow? They are not that used to guests and I will check what are there and make sure all the needed things will be bought tomorrow.” I assured her hoping this national issue over Juice will finish as soon as possible.

“Okay!” saying that she sat down but didn’t take the cup from the tray.

“By the way, with the way you just talked now, it felt I came as a guest to your home instead of Nitish’s.” She added laughing as if it is funny but somehow it doesn’t look like that for me.

“Well, I stayed here for many weekends and so kind of used to the things here.” I mumbled not knowing how else to respond.

“I can see that as even the helpers look up to you as the owner of this house than Aunty.” I should have known there is no small normal talk in her dictionary.

What is she trying to do? Is this some ancient time where the clashes occur because of the person who is in the power of a household?

I shook my head and turned to glance at Aun… Mom, who has an irritated expression on her face. Well, I guess Lisa really knows her as she declares.

“Of course not! Mom is the owner and so they respect her while I am the daughter-in-law of the place, they come near me for small things.” I pointed out smiling at Lisa whose expression dropped.

“Daughter-in-law? You are just engaged to Nitish.” Aunty commented and I turned to her with a frown.

“But Mom, that doesn’t mean I will not be your daughter-in-law.” I smiled at her while covering my expression and she didn’t give any reaction to those words.

To my luck, my phone started ringing and I know it is Nitish without checking the caller ID as it is generally this time when he wakes up and gives me a call. I excused myself from them before reaching the living room to pick the call and got away before I can hear any other plots from Lisa’s mouth.

“What do you mean my Mom and Lisa are there?” as expected he doesn’t know about their arrival.

“Yeah! They arrived in the morning and talking about some function. You don’t know?” I asked and he stayed silent.

“I will call Mom and ask about it. How are you feeling?” he asked in a worried tone.

“Better than yesterday but I need to take a rest during the weekend otherwise I won’t be able to go to work.” I mumbled and he sighed.

“I should have met you that day before leaving.” I smiled at his words.

“It’s okay! You will come back within two weeks and we can see each other and even celebrate you finally coming out of your troubles.” I pointed out and he laughed hearing that.

“I started calling Aunty as Mom today.” I confessed and he paused hearing that before laughing.

“Why? Are you fine doing that?” he asked laughing but I can feel his happiness through his voice.

“I am adjusting and it is better to practice from now on I guess.” I mumbled clearing my throat.

“I wish I am there right now. Thank you, Shrishti!” he whispered and I smiled feeling it is worth practicing for two hours to call Aunty as Mom.

“But she is not happy about it and Lisa is taunting me with every chance she is getting about how the helpers are looking for me for anything. Can you believe that I had a ten minutes conversation to calm her down on why I can’t serve any juice for her today as there are no fruits?” I couldn’t help but complain near him.

From the time I woke up, the frustration level is rising with every second I stayed in Lisa’s presence and I want to vent it near someone and I am glad I can do it near him otherwise I will go mad.

“I know you don’t like her presence. I will talk to her and see that she doesn’t trouble you. You too don’t take her words seriously and calm down.” His words definitely disappointed me but I need to give up on expecting any kind of understanding over my frustration when it comes to his friends and mainly Lisa I guess.

“Leave it! I will try to stay away from her as much as I can.” I mumbled and he sighed hearing those words.

We both cut the call as he needs to talk to his Mom and even get ready to leave. I reached my room instead of staying in the living room to not hear Aunty’s conversation with Nitish.

*Lisa Pov*

“What do you mean why are we here? Can’t I come whenever I want to just because this is given to you by your Grandma?” Aunty asked raising her voice when Nitish called her to ask why we came to the villa.

“I didn’t even get a chance to inform you and she already complained that we came here.” Her next words made me struggle to not smile in satisfaction.

“Not her fault? This is the first time we are talking after you went there and without asking about how am I or telling me how you are doing, all you are talking about is my presence in your villa.” She continued and I placed my hand over her shoulder with a worried look.

“I am here to conduct my wedding anniversary function at this place. Do I have the permission or should I ask even Shrishti’s?” with those words she cut the call.

“Aunty! Calm down! Don’t get vexed over this.” I coaxed her and she just frowned.

“I know! I need to wait until he gets this investment after which his father can’t control him anymore. I will bring up the topic of canceling this engagement and then everything will be fine.” She mumbled while I stayed silent.

It is really a good thing to bring her here and my efforts didn’t get wasted at all. She didn’t want to have anything to do with Shrishti and so didn’t want to come here but I just had to poke at her sore spot and everything happened according to my plan.

“Uncle! I am asking Aunty to have a huge celebration for your coming anniversary but she is not accepting it. Will you ask her to accept my idea?” I asked Nitish’s Dad when he returned from a trip.

“What anniversary?” he asked looking at me.

“Your marriage anniversary, Uncle.” I replied knowing well he doesn’t remember such things like birthdays or any important dates as Nitish used to complain about it in the college.

“What is the need for it? It’s just an anniversary and I may not be free also.” Saying that he walked away and I turned to glance at Aunty who is sitting on the couch with an angry expression.

“I guess you are right, Aunty. There is no need to celebrate it at the villa as Uncle may not be present.” I mumbled sighing while closed her eyes.

“Let’s go! I want to throw a function at that place and even invite his acquaintances.” Saying that she walked away to inform the same Uncle while I sighed in relief that she accepted.

I was brought out of thoughts when my phone started ringing and I smiled seeing that it is Nitish.

“I will take this call, Aunty. He must be calling me to ask about your condition.” Saying that I walked away from her place and picked up the call.

“Hello, Nitish!” I asked but his next words made my smile slip away.

“I just called Dad and he said it was your idea to celebrate the anniversary here. Why did you plan it like that? Didn’t you know that Aunty and Shrishti are at odds?” he asked in a blaming tone.

“Nitish! Just because they are at odds doesn’t mean we can leave it like that, right? I planned this for your sake as they need to spend more time to get closer. Shrishti is already calling Aunty as Mom as I suggested her and slowly they will overcome any differences.” I pointed out and he paused hearing those words.

“You suggested?” he asked in a low voice.

“Yes! You can check it with Shrishti if you want to. I know you are tensed with the situation between Aunty and Shrishti and as I said in the past, I am helping you as always.” I replied and he sighed hearing that.

“Okay! But it is better if you don’t involve yourself much as Shrishti is not comfortable with you. And also try to adjust to the surroundings and the needs available as that place is not like a place in the city where you can get anything you wish for.” He explained and I stopped myself from scoffing.

She even complained about this in such a short time? She is definitely not that simple like she behaves and even tried to drive a wedge between Nitish and me.

I smirked before turning back to walk near Aunty saying, “Okay, Nitish! I will try to not say much in her presence and will also not ask for anything. I will adjust myself. Don’t worry about such small things and just concentrate on the work you went for. This is important for you and your company.”

Aunty frowned hearing those words while I cut the call with a sad expression. She gestured me to sit and asked what happened.

“I guess Shrishti got hurt because of my words and expressed it near him. He asked me to not disturb her and also not complain about things.” I whispered in a low voice.

“I should have stopped this madness from the beginning and not kept quiet for his business sake. Don’t mind his words, Lisa. I know you are a good person and with good intentions. Just be how you are.” She consoled me and I nodded still looking down.

Everything is going better than I expected for sure. I don’t even need to wait until Nitish returns to get Shrishti out of this villa.

I am sure everything is going well according to my plan at the place where Nitish is right now. Nothing will come in my way and I will have what I want in my hands in no time.