Chapter 32: Chapter 32

*Shrishti Pov*

“Shrishti! Shrishti!” I groaned opening my eyes only to feel dizzy and immediately closed them back.

“I will call the doctor.” What… what is she doing here?

After adjusting my eyes a bit, I opened them to see I am in a hospital room and sat up looking around.

“How are you feeling now, Ms. Shrishti?” Doctor asked checking my eyes and I gave him a nod before glancing at the person standing beside him.

“You can go home but make sure to start the supplements and also avoid any stressful situations to not have another panic attack.” Saying that he walked away and I realized that I actually had a severe panic attack after a long time where I lose my consciousness too.

“How are you feeling? Why don’t you stay in the hospital for the night?” she asked reaching my side.

“Jenny! What are you doing here? How can you be in this city?” I asked ignoring her questions.

She sat on the stool explaining how she was on the way to the city and called me but the nurse ended up picking it and told her what happened to me.

“I am glad I called you otherwise you would have been alone.” She mumbled holding my hand.

“And I heard you are pregnant from the nurse. Is it true?” she asked smiling and I nodded without smiling back.

“What happened?” she asked with a frown, seeing my expression.

“Just shocked! And did you come here for personal work?” I asked and she shook her head.

“Some client hired me but I told her we have a branch in this city. However, she was adamant that only the one from Mumbai’s main place should be coming otherwise they will not hire us. The contract is a simple one and a huge benefit for us and so I came here and called you when I was near to the city to ask about the address of the villa you are staying to stay with you as even Nitish is not here.” She explained while I frowned at this weird client.

“Let’s go! You can stay with me.” I mumbled getting down and she helped me with my bag.

“Want to have dinner before going there?” I offered and she nodded smiling but then remembered about my pregnancy.

“Right! Let’s go there first and have homemade dinner.” I mumbled as I actually forgot about the basic care I need to take during the pregnancy.

She frowned when I gave the address to the cab and opened her phone in silence. I closed my eyes tightly still feeling the fear but I need to control myself otherwise… I shook my head and opened them to find Jenny staring at me with a weird look.

“This is the same address that the client sent me. Don’t tell me this is a fake client?” she mumbled and I frowned taking her phone to check the mail.

I sighed looking at the name before passing the phone to her saying, “This is not a fake client. The function is going to be held here.”

“I will tell you later.” I added closing my eyes and she stayed silent.

After we reached the place, she still has a confused expression and we both walked inside to find Aunty and Lisa walking out of the dining area and must have finished their dinner.

“Don’t tell them about the baby.” I whispered to Jenny in a hurry and she nodded with an assuring look.

“Madam! Shall I serve the dinner?” one of the helpers asked while I shook my head.

“We will freshen up first and come back. You all can leave after finishing your normal work.” I said and they nodded understanding.

“Where were you yesterday, Shrishti? We were worried about you.” Lisa asked staring at me.

“Madam said she is going to stay at the hotel as it is late. I even passed the phone to you, Madam. Did you forgot?” the helper asked before I could open my mouth.

“What? How can you lie about me? Did she asked you to do that?” Lisa shouted at her while I gestured the helper to go who has a confused expression.

“I didn’t have your number, Mom. So, I had to call the villa’s handphone.” I explained looking at Aunty.

“You even brought a guest? Why didn’t you tell us earlier? You should inform Aunty about it, right?” Lisa just continued and I glanced at Jenny.

Jenny gave an understanding look before staring at Jenny with a fierce expression. I should stop her, right? I know her temper with the way she handles the staff but today I don’t want to take stress about anything as I have already enough stuff in my head.

“Ms. Lisa?” Jenny asked looking at her while stepping forward.

“Yes?” Lisa asked frowning.

“I am Jenny! Didn’t you hire me for the event here?” she asked and Lisa nodded smiling.

“You are here early? You told me that you will be here by tomorrow to check the venue, right?” Lisa asked to which Jenny chuckled.

“Yeah! That was the plan but I am confused about one thing, Ms. Lisa. Why did you ask especially for our company?” Jenny asked looking at her.

“Well, I heard about the wonderful work your company does and I want the best for my Aunty’s function as she is very important for me.” Lisa explained while I shook my head.

“Having the person who did that wonderful work near you, why would you ask for me?” She continued making Lisa frown.

“What do you mean?” to which Jenny gestured me.

“She is my boss and the owner of the company you have hired for the event. And the wonderful work that our company has done is by her. So, what was the need to hire us with such a huge amount when there is a specialist here?” Jenny explained and I would have enjoyed a lot to see Lisa’s pale face other days but now I just want to go to my room.

“Don’t be like that. You have the capability too and that’s why I left the main one to you.” I mumbled patting her shoulder before glancing at Lisa.

“If you are fine with having the work done by my company then you can continue otherwise she can go back tomorrow.” I offered and her face returned to normal along with a glare while I just gave her a blank look.

“No need! I already told you there was no need for any planner. I can tell you what needs to be done.” Aunty commented while Lisa nodded before glancing at Jenny.

“Then we don’t need your services.” Lisa commented.

“Okay! Make sure to send my traveling expenses and also I think I can stay here to not waste money for you pay to me even for the hotel stay.” I couldn’t help but smile hearing those words.

“It’s okay! I will pay that amount as this is for my family’s function anyway.” Saying that I took Jenny with me to my room and she started pacing the room.

“Who is that bitch? Why are you letting her talk to you like that? Just because of your future mother-in-law?” She asked frowning at me.

“Jenny! I had a tiring day and I just want to have some food before going to sleep. Can we talk about it later?” I requested and she immediately nodded after which she didn’t bring up the matter again.

****

The next day after sending Jenny away and also promising her to tell her everything soon, I returned to my cabin and just concentrated on work.

However, my mind got distracted continuously without pausing. How can I be pregnant? How can I be pregnant in these conditions? How can I even think of a baby in the current situation?

Nitish called me in the morning itself unlike his evening timings surprising me and I stayed silent picking the call.

“I am sorry that I couldn’t talk to you yesterday properly. I am going to get the contract the next day and send it to Rohan to get it checked by our legal team and then it will be over.” He said with a relieved voice.

“Hmm!” I made a sound and he paused.

“Are you not feeling well? Did you go to the doctor? Should I ask Mom or Lisa to go with you?” he asked and I laughed hearing the last sentence.

“Did Mom said anything about the day before yesterday? I told her that you informed me and must have not got her number. I told her it is my fault as I didn’t inform Mom and lied that you asked me to inform her.” He added and I smiled shaking my head.

“She didn’t say anything. I just… I just want you to return as soon as possible.” I whispered and he stayed silent.

“I am sorry, Shrishti! If this was not important or I had another choice in India, I wouldn’t have come here.” He sighed and I shook my head.

“It’s just been nearly two weeks, Nitish. We have stayed without seeing each other for more than two weeks in the past. So, don’t feel guilty about that. I am just being emotional I guess.” I mumbled and immediately apologized again before asking me to go to the doctor no matter what.

After we both cut the call I leaned back thinking if not for him I would have run away from this city for sure and these people for sure.

I called Jenny after some time and asked her regarding me going back to the main one while she shift to this branch.

“I am fine with it. When do you want to? I will settle my things here in the meantime and give you some time to rest after coming here.” She offered and I thought about the function before saying not before two weeks and checking the schedule I offered that she can take some time off later.

A few days later, I returned to the villa only to find extra guests in the living room. I frowned looking at Nitish’s other friends and smiled at Arjun who is the only one who smiled.

“How have you been, Shrishti? I heard you were not feeling well from Nitish. He was so worried and still is.” Arjun commented while I chuckled.

“I am fine! You can assure him that I am fine next time he calls you.” He laughed nodding but his smile slipped when he glanced at others.

“We are also here, Shrishti. We are also Nitish’s friends or are you still upset about last time?” Rohan asked looking at me.

“Are you?” I asked back and he didn’t say anything to that.

“Rohan! Thank you for making a trip to come here. I can’t buy things from this place as it is far away from the city. If not for you then it would have been huge trouble.” Lisa commented smiling at him.

“It’s okay! Anyway, it’s the weekend from tomorrow but Arjun will be going back tomorrow as he has to handle the company until Nitish return on Sunday evening.” I got stunned hearing those words.

“Sunday evening?” before I could think I uttered those words.

“Yes! He is returning by Sunday evening as he finished signing the contract and I already booked tickets for him.” Rohan commented.

“You didn’t know, Shrishti?” Lisa asked looking at me and as usual, I ignored her.

“It’s not like that, Shrishti. Nitish asked us to keep it secret from you to surprise you but this Rohan opened his big mouth.” Arjun explained while glaring at Rohan and I gave him a nod in silence.

“I will go to my room.” I mumbled nodding at him again and climbed the stairs to reach my room and finally removed my blank expression.

Do I have to bear them during the weekend along with Lisa? Why didn’t I had some work to do during the weekend? But I wanted to rest properly after clearing away any works to help Jenny and also to have some free time.

I sighed freshening up and didn’t even call him as he didn’t do any wrong thinking to surprise me. What he did wrong was to trust those people and not me regarding their intentions and I can’t do anything about it.

When he returns, I will make him sit down and state all the facts and this time my decision will depend on his reaction to the facts. However, I need to think about our baby too before any kind of decision.

The next day I stayed in my room completely except for meals as it was noisy while they discussed what to do and how to do things, what to buy, and where to buy.

Aunty really has some experience as whatever small plans I heard during the meals were good enough.

While I was going to take a nap, I heard a knock on the door and I asked the person to come in as it will be mostly the helpers looking for me.

“Madam!” I heard the worried tone of the helper and immediately sat up.

“What is it?” I asked frowning and she immediately explained what is happening which made me rush out of the room to reach the back garden without pausing a step.

“Stop it!” I shouted before Lisa can step on the plants and found her other friends standing aside.

“What do you think you are doing?” I continued reaching her side while she frowned at me.

“I need this place clean for arranging the tables and decorations. What’s wrong with that?” she asked without a slight hesitation.

“Are you mad? These are not waste plants that can be removed just for some function. They grow vegetables and are used by us and also the helpers.” I pointed out.

“We can buy them from outside and what right do they have to take these from here. I need this place clean and I am not going to change the plan.” She stated and I glanced at the helpers who are frowning at her words.

“Look, this is how Grandma ran the house and this is what Nitish decided to continue to respect Grandma. No one is losing anything as they are the ones who are taking care of the gardening. You can use the remaining space and the space inside the house.” I calmed down to make sure she doesn’t utter anything else that will hurt them.

“When she is not even alive, what is the need to follow her rules.” She pointed out.

“Lisa!” I shouted along with Arjun for saying such things.

“What?” She asked looking at Arjun frowning.

“You have to go, right? Rohan! You need to drive him to the station, right?” She asked looking at her friends and the three walked off while Arjun gave a reluctant look but Rohan dragged him off hurrying him.

“Don’t shout at me again. You will be the one to be in trouble if you shout. Who do you think Aunty will scold? Who do you think Nitish will listen to? To his Mom or you?” saying that she again moved to hold the plant to pluck it.

“I said stop it, didn’t I?” with those words I pulled her away holding her hand but she ended up plucking the one she is holding.

“Ouch!” she cried making me frown as I didn’t put much pressure but the voice from the back door made me understand the reason behind her reaction.

“What is happening here?” Aunty asked walking towards us.

“And what are you all doing here?” she added looking at the helpers who glanced at me worriedly.

“Go and take care of the things that got delivered today.” I mumbled and they nodded walking away.

“Aunty, I want this place for the function as we need to arrange tables for the guests and also the stage but… but she is scolding me.” Lisa commented and I stared at her in shock.

“What are you saying? I am stopping you from ruining these plants.” I pointed out before glancing at Aunty.

“Mom! Grandma made this plan where the helpers will be growing the vegetables which can be used at the villa and also be taken by them to their homes. Even Nitish respected this and never stopped it. We can’t remove these plants.” I explained but she just frowned at me.

“Can’t you explain that normally instead of hurting her? She is doing this for the function and not for personal gain. Don’t you know that?” she asked back.

“But Mom, I tried to explain but she…” she cut me off before I can say anything while walking towards Lisa.

“Is this area really needed?” she asked her and Lisa nodded saying how otherwise we can’t accommodate the guests as they are too many.

“These can be grown again. I will get this cleaned up along with those trees if it is needed.” Aunty stated and I got startled hearing that.

“No! This will not be cleaned up, Mom.” I didn’t back down as I remember a few of the trees were personally planted by Grandma and Nitish likes to spend time looking at them.

“What did you say?” Aunty asked frowning.

“Give Nitish a call before deciding about it, Mom. This is not just a simple garden for him.” I explained calming down.

“Are you saying that Nitish will go against Aunty and will accept your words?” Lisa asked in a shocked tone.

“No! I am not saying that but Nitish will not feel good about this. I can call him if you want.” I offered politely while glaring at Lisa.

Aunty didn’t say anything and just stared at me in silence. I cleared my throat thinking how to say the next sentence without getting it twisted by Lisa but she cut me off the moment I said, “Mom!”

“Don’t call me Mom and don’t try to act before me.” Saying that she glared at me.

“Act?” I asked in a whisper.

“From the time I came here, you are acting so obedient in front of me but not missing a chance to show that you are the owner of this place. This is Nitish’s villa and he is my son. You are just his fiance for now and you better remember that. Even in front of those helpers, proving every moment that you are the owner of this place. If this is your fiance’s Grandmother’s place then don’t forget that this is my Husband’s mother’s place too. You care about her more than me while I have known her for years? I am trying to calm down as much as I can while ignoring your acting at every moment to show your ownership. We will see whether this marriage can happen or not. I am waiting for the time when Nitish can come out of my husband’s orders and follow his own heart.” Without pausing she just rushed those words and walked away not giving me a chance to say anything.

I just stood there in silence still staring at the place she was standing earlier. She always acted like she is against this but never stated those words directly in my face but now she said all those things.