Chapter 38: Chapter 38

*Nitish Pov*

We traveled in silence and reached the hotel where Shrishti and I stayed yesterday and I realized, I left my luggage here.

I got down and rushed to get the luggage fearing they will leave before I return. However, the car is still there and I sighed in relief before reaching the car.

Shrishti is still sleeping which made me worry and I checked her forehead to see whether she has a fever but it is normal.

“Let her sleep! She said these days she feels sleepy most of the time but had to stay awake because of your Mom’s words about her discipline.” Kanika explained and I flinched hearing those words.

“Wow! That’s a bit harsh, Kanika. Did you bring him to join us just to poke him like this? Actually, what did you say to make him come with us and even ask Vikranth’s help by himself?” Prathap asked from the back.

“I just told him that he can’t concentrate on just one thing this time and try to work on two things at the same time i.e., Shrishti and his company. And I told him to take Vikranth’s help if he wants to come with us.” Kanika explained and it feels like I am not even here but I didn’t mind as I am again holding Shrishti in my arms.

“That doesn’t explain why he accepted.” Anny mumbled and I sighed because I know they will make fun of me by hearing her next words.

“I told him that Vikranth and I divorced along with another matter.” Kanika explained and I frowned thinking why is she not saying it aloud. Isn’t Shrishti still sleeping?

“Huh? Why does that matter?” Prathap asked in a confused tone.

“Oh!” Anny mumbled and I turned to see her showing an understanding look.

Before I can react, Vikranth suddenly turned off the engine which he just started, and even removed his seat belt saying, “Come out!”

Kanika and he got out before closing the doors and the both sitting in the back leaned over to look outside as they are standing on the side of the car where Shrishti is close to.

I looked down when I found Shrishti moving in my arms and she slowly opened her eyes only to meet mine and she closed them again before opening them after a few seconds.

“You…” Prathap cut her off saying, “He is here for a lift to Mumbai and also to get an appointment with Vikranth to ask his help.”

“Oh!” she made a sound and looked away only to frown.

“What are they doing?” She asked frowning at Vikranth and Kanika talking to each other but it feels more like Kanika is talking to him.

“It must be Vikranth failing at trying his best to win the heart of his Ex-Wife.” Prathap commented leisurely and I stilled along with Shrishti.

“What? Did he say that?” She asked smiling and turned around to look at Prathap.

“Do you think he will say that? Anny and I are just guessing it and also joking about it but we are kind of confident.” He replied and I frowned at that as Kanika said something else to me.

“He is really failing at it though. He doesn’t know how to do anything when it comes to romance.” Anny sighed and Shrishti laughed.

“Really? What else happened?” She asked in an exciting tone.

“You would have known that if you had talked to us normally instead of hiding in your self-blame.” Prathap commented which immediately removed her smile.

“Prathap!” I warned him and he just ignored him.

“I am sorry! It was my fault. I will never do that again.” Shrishti promised who is also ignoring me.

“Of course, you will not do that again and I will torture you if you ever try to even do something stupid like ignoring our calls and not being honest with us.” Prathap commented and stiffened hearing a cough from Anny.

“Vikranth and you are at fault too.” Anny commented shaking her head.

“Take rest! Didn’t you stay awake with me for my shoot?” Anny asked pushing him away when he leaned over her to hug her.

“Why? And is that why he made it to come here along with you? I thought he wouldn’t be able to as he doesn’t have any chef like in the main restaurant where he can take leave whenever he wants to.” Shrishti commented and I suddenly feel lost with their discussion and so looked outside to look at Kanika and Vikranth still talking.

“I already got my sous chef to do most of the work whenever I take leave. How can I be at that place every day of the week? I need to accommodate to be with Anitha who is busier than me, right? Also, yesterday night’s shooting was at some roadside where she has to walk at night time and I was not feeling good to not be closer to her.” Prathap explained and I don’t even know why is he saying that and what is special with that scene.

“Oh! Are you okay?” Shrishti asked in a worried tone which made me realize this must be important.

“Of course! I already got better but he is worried about it all the time.” Anny explained and I sighed which made all three of them stare at me.

Shrishti finally realized that I am holding her and slowly moved my hands and I shifted to not make her feel uncomfortable thinking at least she didn’t push me away in a hurry.

“They are coming!” Prathap whispered and everyone stayed silent when they both got into the car and continued the silence during the whole journey feeling Vikranth’s attitude turned worse than the time I got into the car.

I looked outside and continued to hold Shrishti’s hand thinking what should I do to be closer to her than in the past and even get closer to her friends. I need to earn her trust back and also make her happy and also recover my company somehow.

They all started discussing where to go after reaching Mumbai and they all joined in the conversation except Vikranth and me. He seems to be angry while I am just feeling a sense of loss but didn’t let Shrishti’s hand go from my hold and she didn’t push it away.

****

I didn’t expect to get Vikranth’s appointment on Monday itself but that day I found myself in his cabin sitting opposite to him.

For so many months I spent my time feeling anger at GH and Vikranth thinking why did they harmed us in that way but after learning the truth, he actually let my company go easily in my head.

“I am sure you verified about the things Anny said that day. Did you find any solution?” Vikranth asked and I shook my head.

“I know I can’t save my company anymore and I can start again from scratch to have security for Shrishti and our baby. However, I need help with my artists as I am going to liquidate the company to pay the compensation for that foreign investor and also my Dad.” I explained and he nodded before passing a file.

“It will be difficult to save your artists even after you pay the compensation as their rights go beyond you imagine. I have met an owner like you who fell for this in the past and he still doesn’t come in public because of attacks from every side. So, here is my proposal for you. If you are fine then let’s sign it right now otherwise leave and I am doing this only for Shrishti.” He stated and I turned the pages one after one feeling surprised but got shocked at the last page.

“Any problem?” he asked passing the pen.

“I am fine with everything else and I am even grateful as you are not just taking all the artists under your agency but also paying the amount as per their marketability factor for the transfer which will help me a lot and more than I expected.” I replied feeling great but the last page is not something I expected at all.

“But?” he stressed and I simply said that is not convenient.

“Honestly, I don’t think you are a good businessman. I mean, I am sure you studied business management and have a lot of experience but you don’t know how to be in charge and make others work. We can see the result of it by looking at the company’s present state. So, I want you to prove that you have the passion for this entertainment world.” He explained and I felt such an attack hearing those words but sadly I can’t say it is false as I really failed as a businessman and that too two times in my life.

“You need not accept it and leave right now. However, you shouldn’t be the one against this idea as the other party would be bringing the house down after hearing it.” I sighed closing my eyes only to imagine Anny glaring at me but then I imagine how I can stay close to Shrishti more than I thought I could be.

“Okay! I will be Anny’s manager until you feel I am worthy to get other work in your company.” I accepted taking the pen.

“Don’t want your own company anymore?” he asked leaning back and I gave him a smile that is not filled with happiness.

“I am not ready to trust anyone to manage any kind of company and I don’t think I ever will except for Shrishti. However, I need another help.” I said looking at him and he nodded after covering his shocked expression.

“I have a friend who doesn’t deserve any of this and deserves a good start. Is it possible to hire him? Only after checking his credentials.” I explained and he frowned shaking his head.

“You can forget about it as I don’t want to see that Rohan or whatever his name is in my company.” He stated and I shook my head.

“It’s not him! It’s my other friend called Arjun. He is really good at finance and many other things. And Rohan already left the city to go back to his village after giving away his savings to give them to the employees as compensation.” I corrected his assumption and he frowned before nodding.

“I will interview him and see what can be done but I can’t promise anything. So, you are really fine with it? It will not be easy.” He stated and I nodded signing up.

“Even Kanika said it will not be easy.” I mumbled and he stiffened hearing those words but I ignored it.

“I deserve this fall and finally, I can just think about my life with Shrishti and nothing else. I need not follow my Dad’s threats or try to compensate my Mom for her hurt because of my Dad and I need not try to help my friend… some people and just think about Shrishti and me. Of course, I will do my job without any fail.” I added the last sentence to assure him I will not ignore my work.

“This is my kind of happy beginnings.” I whispered to myself with a smile while looking at the file and stood up to leave as Shrishti is going for the first check-up today after an hour and I am planning to be with her.