Chapter 31: Chapter 31
*Shrishti Pov*
“Are you still not feeling well, Ma’am? I thought you will get better by taking a rest over the weekend.” My assistant mumbled while I checked the client details for the next event.
Rest? I even forgot the meaning of that word. The plan of mine was to take as much rest as possible during the weekend and start working with full energy from Monday.
However, I just ended up feeling worse than before and now I don’t even want to keep my eyes open but had to as I already took a long leave before the weekend.
If it was Jenny who is my assistant then I could have left everything with her to take another week’s leave but now I can’t do it and on top of that, I don’t want to spend another week 24/7 in that villa with those people.
I believed Nitish to settled them down a bit after telling him what happened but it turned worse as they both just stared at me as if I am a criminal.
And my crime? I don’t know for sure. I can’t open my mouth and just finish my dinner that day and the next day everything went downhill.
I was supposed to go grocery shopping as I mentioned it to them but I couldn’t get up no matter how much I tried to and ended up causing Lisa to have a chance of complaining as I couldn’t get the national treasure Juice for her.
The helpers helped me in this by getting fruits on their way and somehow it consoled her but then she complained about the taste.
I am feeling sorry about the helpers too as I heard Grandma was very friendly all the time and Nitish too never involved himself with their work but now they are getting taunted with everything.
From the way, they make food to the cleaning and now Juice. I didn’t have the energy to say anything to them and just stayed in my room while complaining to Nitish so that he could talk some sense in them but he didn’t have much time to even talk to me for more than a handful of minutes.
I think these days our phone conversations are filled with me complaining about his friend and Mom than anything else. This is not how I expected how long-distance two weeks relationship would be.
Anyway, I just need to bear it for a week and then he can handle them. Right now I just want to have a proper rest.
“I couldn’t rest properly.” I replied giving her a smile and she nodded before explaining about two clients who contacted the company during my absence.
“We don’t have anything during this week except for the huge event the following week. Why don’t we handle these even though they are small events?” I mumbled and she nodded accepting my decision.
“As these two are small events which can be handled easily. Can you talk to them in my place to get some experience?” I asked staring at her but she gave a reluctant nod.
“What is it?” I asked frowning.
“One of them didn’t like it that an assistant is talking to them while they called to meet the head of the company.” She explained making me frown.
“Okay! I will meet them while you go for the other client.” She sighed in relief before walking out of my cabin.
After finishing the urgent work, I walked out of the company to meet that client only to meet another headache.
“Is this how your business is to have a simple assistant handle the important clients?” He asked folding his arms while my head aching more than usual while trying to not say the words in my head.
“It is not possible for me to take all calls, Mr. Das.” He frowned hearing that while his wife calmed him down.
“Will it be possible to conduct the event within three days?” she asked politely.
“Sure, Mrs.Das! We can talk about how you want the event to be held right now and decide the remaining things.” I replied and we both started it while her husband walked into their house.
“Don’t mind him, Ms. Shrishti! Our son suddenly came home marrying his girlfriend and he is upset about it. We at least want to have a small reception and that too as soon as possible. He was keen on talking to the head of the company because of a reason.” She explained and I waited for her to tell the reason.
“Our daughter-in-law is pregnant and that’s why the sudden marriage. We are obviously upset about this sudden news and worried about other things.” Her words shocked me for sure but didn’t stop me from going along the conversation to add a few things that will not tire out the bride much during the reception.
“I am glad you didn’t hide it, Mrs. Das. Now, I can make extra arrangements to help her to relax and also keep everything to a minimum from the lights to the sound effects.” I mumbled she smiled in relief.
After the meeting, I called up the staff to start preparing for this reception and to let a few come to the market to make purchases with me.
The other client also wants a small event by this weekend and so I can be busy with these two and ignore everything else for now.
****
“Aunty! We definitely need to order catering for food and some staff that will help to manage the function.” That’s what I heard the moment I entered the place in the evening.
Right! The function about which they couldn’t say a word to me but I found it from Nitish that it is Aunty’s marriage anniversary function.
Couldn’t they have said it to me when I asked? I tried to ask whether they need any help but all I got is a blank look from both of them.
Lisa even stepped out saying she can manage everything and I need not worry. Worry? This is what I do and have been doing for years.
However, Aunty is still Nitish’s Mom and so I opened my mouth saying, “There is a catering service my company generally uses and I can ask them if it is fine.”
“No need! We are involving everyone from Mumbai itself. The people will come here to prepare everything. Aunty must know a few catering services who can give the best dishes.” Lisa commented as expected.
“Aunty! We did the right thing by ordering our clothes ahead near that designer otherwise it would have been a huge work to get that designer to come here.” She just continued ignoring me and I ignored them back to go to my room.
During the dinner, I got another surprise from them as Lisa is actually going to hire event management for the function.
“It is right to do that instead of doing everything by yourself. I can contact someone for you.” Aunty followed along while I stared at the two of them in silence.
Fine! Many clients are ready to get my company’s services even though the branch here is newly started. I will stop mentioning that I can provide some help.
Anyway, I will end up getting taunts instead of gratefulness from you all. I paused with my thoughts and felt sad all of a sudden.
What am I thinking? Isn’t she going to be my mother-in-law? And here I am thinking of her as some bad character.
I sighed shaking my head before finishing the dinner and walked outside to sit in the garden for some time to calm down myself from these negative thoughts.
“Nitish!” I gave a surprised greeting when he called me up so late as we generally talk in the evenings if possible otherwise no calls for that day.
“Missed me? I couldn’t call you for two days as the investor here took me around to show his company and also his other clients.” He explained and I smiled feeling good to talk to him.
“I can understand and how is the contract going. They signed?” I asked worriedly as it’s been a week but they still didn’t discuss the contract.
“No! I am also waiting for that only. I got the analysis report from Rohan and it seems like a good company and I can move forward but still waiting for the contract.” He replied and I sighed before changing the topic.
“How is it going there? Don’t stress yourself with the function there and take a rest. How is your health?” he continued and I stayed silent.
“What happened?” he asked in a tired tone.
“Nothing! I am feeling good from the afternoon and hopefully, it will continue. And I am thinking of staying at the hotel until you return.” I mumbled and he immediately rejected that idea.
“No! I requested you to stay here until I return, right? And there is also the function where you can help Mom a bit. Didn’t you say you started calling her Mom and doesn’t that mean you want to get closer to her? If you stay away then how will it be possible? I know Lisa is not the person you want to be around but didn’t she help you by suggesting how you could change the way you address my Mom? She knows how to handle Mom and will be helpful for you but still, I asked her to not involve much to make you feel comfortable." I closed my eyes hearing those words.
I know he has a great opinion about Lisa and that could be because she must have been a good person and changed when she wants to have him back in her life but that doesn’t mean I can be understanding about her, right?
“I will stay here.” I mumbled not wishing to get him to stress about me when he already is stressed about the matters there.
But I really want to tell him how comfortable I am while staying with some strangers in a hotel than in the villa with his mother and best friend.
****
“How are you feeling? Please let me know if there is any discomfort without hesitation.” I asked reaching the bride’s side.
“Thank you! I will definitely let you know and my friend is also here to look after me.” She whispered gesturing to a lady near the stage who I found to be standing there for quite some time.
“I told her to go and enjoy the reception but she is not moving while feeling worried about me.” She added and I smiled hearing that.
“Friends worry more than us no matter what it is.” I whispered and she nodded smiling before I walked away only to stumble near the steps.
A few people helped me before I can fall down and I thanked them while moving towards the drinks table to have some water.
Don’t fall sick, Shrishti! You were doing good these few days and now this can’t happen while working.
“Ma’am?” my Assistant called me a bit loudly made me realize I was spacing out.
“Yeah? Is there any problem?” I asked and she shook her head but gave me a worried look.
“Why don’t you go back while I handle the things here?” she offered and I am glad she is saying those words but still it is better for me to stay as this is not just a simple reception.
“You can help me with the next one and I can handle this.” I assured her but she is not assured at all.
“You have been sick for nearly two weeks. Why don’t you go to the hospital and get a checkup?” I sighed hearing those words.
Even I want to do it but this is just a normal headache and a bit of weakness and also I hate going to hospitals after a severe numer of times I visited when I was a child. But I guess it is better to go and get a checkup tomorrow.
“I will go and do it tomorrow.” She nodded before walking away and I turned to find someone looking at me.
“I am sorry to intrude but I just saw you nearly falling down and heard the conversation with your assistant I assume.” I frowned hearing those from her and then I remember that she is the bride’s friend.
“You need not worry about your friend. No matter what it is we will handle it and need not worry because of my condition.” She didn’t return my smile and leaned closer.
“I am a gynecologist and your symptoms kind of seem to be of pregnancy.” Hearing those words I was stunned for a second but then chuckled.
“No! It’s just because of over-working and on top of that some pressures at home.” I explained but she just sighed.
“It is better to get a checkup on your own or at the hospital and also stay away from the drinks.” Saying that she walked away while I frowned at her words.
Pregnant? No! My periods are late but they always are and the reason for that could be because I stayed a lot of times at the hospital and there were some side effects with the medicines I had but pregnancy… No! I need not think much about her words and she just saw a few symptoms but doesn’t know the things happening in my life which could be the reason.
I shook my head and continued with my work to make sure everything is going on good while pushing those words away.
After the function is finished I let the staff pack up and handle the things here while I decided on staying at the hotel for tonight as it is late.
And I ended up calling the phone at the villa as I don’t have the numbers of Aunty and Lisa. After informing the helper Aunty who picked the call, I asked her to call someone so that I can inform them directly otherwise it would be another issue.
“Hello?” Lisa ended up taking it from the helper.
“I am Shrishti! It is late and I think it is safe for me to stay in the city at the hotel. Please inform Aunty.” I said without giving her a chance to say anything else.
“Hotel?” she whispered and I repeated the words before cutting the call when she said she will do it.
After finishing the call, I got freshened up and sent a message to Nitish regarding my stay before falling on the bed to have a good rest after so many days.
Maybe with a good rest, I will feel better. With that thinking, I drifted off into sleep immediately unlike these past few days as I was just rolling on the bed spending sleepless nights while thinking too much.
However, the next morning I ended up going to the hospital as I felt worse when I woke up and even vomited.
I kept quiet when the doctor included the pregnancy test as I was sure it will be negative. Nitish and I always took precautions and from where will I get pregnant.
I got slapped in the face with the test report in my hands when I went to the hospital in the evening to collect it.
Pregnant? I… no… there must be some mistake. The nurse helped me to the chair when I nearly fell while taking a step back in shock.
“First time? You must be nervous.” She commented in an understanding way.
Nervous? I am terrified! I am already terrified with even the idea of getting married into Nitish’s family and now a baby?
With my hands shaking I picked my phone and called Nitish which I have never done after he went to the states.
“Shrishti! Why didn’t you inform Mom that you were not going home yesterday night? I informed her when she called me to inform that you didn’t come home.” Those are the words he uttered after picking the call.
I know I did a mistake by entrusting Lisa but this is not the time to care about some childish person’s deeds.
“Nitish! I…” he cut me off saying, “I need to go, Shrishti! The meeting is going to start. I will call you tomorrow as it will be late by the time it finishes.”
With those words, he cut the call while I just sat there still holding the phone in my hands. Do I blame him for not listening? No! As I understand his situation but I really want to blame him.
I fanned myself feeling suffocated and didn’t move from that place for an hour and finally stood up to leave.
I need to start coming to terms with it before even thinking about other people. I realized that I was terrified, shocked, and everything else but happy? No! It is nowhere near in my head.
And that will be the biggest mistake on my part to not be happy about my child but I can’t think about happiness right now and just need to accept this fact first.
Oh, God! But this is really not the right time for me to face this. On top of everything? My hand is not even moving to touch my stomach as if by not doing it I have time to recollect myself from all this.
But whether I believe it or not this is the fact and there is a life inside me who could be looked upon with either happiness or the same feeling that is being thrown at my face.
How can I complain about others when me being a mother to that life is not showing any happiness? I really want to be happy but… but I am filled with fear more than anything else. And the thought that I am filled with fear more than happiness is what terrifies me the most.