Chapter 36: Chapter 36

*Prakash Pov*

"Dad! I am really sorry. I have been really repenting for my mistakes." I continued, but he is not budging at all no matter how many times I am apologizing.

He should know already that I am repenting when I am apologizing by myself when I generally don't do that at all.

"Be content with the fact that I am letting you live here. Don't ask again to join the company because no one is wishing to let you come near the director position." Saying that he stood up from the table to leave.

"Should I go and apologize to that... Palak or what?" I asked fisting my hands and he paused hearing my words.

"Don't even go near her. It's been nearly one year since she gave birth to my granddaughter but I don't have any right to even see her face. I had to relay on other tactics to even know this information and I am going to contact them soon, even though I feel like they will reject my wish. If you trouble her then I don't know how long should I wait to see them again." He grumbled with a look thrown at me as if it's my fault.

"Then at least get the shares back. It is your rival company after all and they are set to doom as James passed away and that racer is not worth to control such company. What if they use our shares to cover up their losses?" I asked him frowning.

"That racer is actually working hard and that company is nowhere near its doom unlike ours because of your reckless projects from the past. I am anyway in plans to merge both the companies if they are fine with it. Even if that fails I am not going to take back your shares as she is still holding them and she has every right. It's not like she is taking any wrong decisions for my company and even David is not doing that." He shook his head not even listening to my worries.

"So, keep yourself away from those matters. But if you want, you can join as a regular employee from today onwards." He added and I immediately stood up.

"Dad! I have been a director of that company and was going to be a CEO. You want me to join as a regular employee?" I shouted not able keep myself calm.

"Why not? Even David joined the company in that way. There was no need for him to do that, but he still did that. What's wrong if you do the same? Either join as an employee or forget about the company completely while living on the allowances I will prepare for you." Saying that he walked away this time while is at down still in shock after hearing his words.

Is he really comparing me to that David? What does he even know except for racing? How can he be compared to me?

It is really impossible to force Palak to give up the shares with all those bodyguards surrounding her. But what if that David fails with the image of being a capable CEO falls?

Well, it will either help my Dad to see that I am better than him or to make it possible to get through Palak to give up those shares when they all will be busy to clear up the mess for David.

I smirked standing up to be a regular employee for now before thinking of a plan to make sure David falls and get my place back no matter what. Do they really think I will just give up like this?

*David Pov*

"Again?" I asked, staring at her and she sighed, nodding her head with a hint of guilt but didn't glance at me.

However, the moment I sighed back, she lost her guilty look and is right now frowning at me. I controlled my expression to not let a smile slip out before explaining again.

"It's not like I have any educational background regarding all this. If it was related to medical care, then I would have got it first time itself." She mumbled, shaking her head when I finished the explanation of the agenda for next meeting.

"What? Are you complaining that I am complaining?" she asked, frowning when I continued to stare at her after hearing her words.

"No!" I replied immediately without giving any chance for her to think so.

How can I complain when I am feeling happy right now? When we started this a few weeks back, she was really stiff and just gave a nod whenever I explained something and didn't say much.

Now, she is suddenly expressing everything normally and isn't that like a huge prize for me? Why would I complain?

I should actually celebrate right now, but I immediately cleared my throat to not let her see my happiness otherwise she would again become stiff realizing what she is doing. Because I know well that she is doing this subconsciously.

"So, if it relates to medical care, you will be fine?" I asked, leaning back and she gave a nod without thinking much while adjusting a blanket properly on Elisha who is sleeping peacefully in the crib we placed even in the study room.

"Go through the files again and get a clear idea. There are a few board members who are still against me and will try to attack you with the questions to show that you are not suitable for this like in the last meeting. I will try to stop them again, but it is better to be prepared." I mumbled to which she gave a nod.

She started involving completely into the details while sitting on the couch in a relaxed manner and I continued my work.

I glanced away from the computer hearing Elisha's cry thinking Palak must be picking her up after hearing the cry, but it turns out she is sleeping peacefully on the couch in the sitting position.

I stood up before reaching Elisha and picked her up which immediately paused her crying. So, she is actually not hungry right now and just wanted to be picked up.

"Don't cry and wake your Mommy." I whispered, smiling at her and she smiled back while patting my face with her tiny hands.

I glanced at Palak's sleeping form and thought of lifting her up and take her back to her room. But that involves two main problems for sure.

One is her hating me for picking her up and two is Mom will definitely not let it slide at all as she may witness it. I don't want to wake her up too, and in the end, I just placed a blanket over her before going into the bedroom along with Elisha.

"Let's not disturb your Mom, Elisha. Your Dad will play with you." I mumbled, sitting on the bed while placing her toys on the bed, I carried from the crib.

I wouldn't dare to use the word 'Dad' if anyone were present along with us knowing well it will not sit well with them but now I can sneakily do this.

Isn't this the worst moment for a parent to sneakily say that they are a Mom or Dad to their child? What could be worse than this someone can go through? I sighed, shaking my head to not waste this precious time with these thoughts because nothing will change no matter what but I will try my best to get a chance so that I can change it.

I ended up playing for some time with her and she fell asleep again, feeling tired and I followed her suit not forgetting to set boundaries around her with the pillows on my bed.

However, I woke up when I felt Elisha shifting and opened my eyes to see Palak picking her up slowly and froze meeting my eyes.

"I was searching for her near Aunty but found her sleeping peacefully here on the bed while I got neck cramps for sleeping on the couch like that." she added the last part in a complaining tone and didn't whisper as Elisha already woke up.

"I thought you will be angry if I took you back to your room or adjusted you as I would have to touch you and I didn't want to wake you up." I explained and she stiffened hearing those words.

"Are you angry that I didn't do that?" I added and she frowned hearing my words.

"I don't know!" saying that she walked out of the room holding Elisha with a confused look covering her face.

I let out an unexpected chuckle realizing she wouldn't have minded if I did that and immediately rushed out of the room to follow her to the study room.

While she was trying to hold the laptop and files with one hand, I immediately took hold of Elisha before holding her in my arms properly.

"It will be difficult to hold everything." I explained when she frowned at me and helped with a few more files before walking towards the door but couldn't open with both hands full.

She sighed, opening the door and I followed her smiling no matter how much I tried not to smile. I paused for a second finding Mom and Jasmine in the living room, but ignored them to rush behind her.

She too paused to give them an awkward smile before walking into her and I followed her even though she rushed back to the door after placing her things down to take Elisha and the files from my hands.

"It's okay! I can walk these few steps." Saying that I passed her before sitting on the bed, still holding Elisha, who is immediately looking at her crib here filled with toys.

"Wait for a few minutes." I whispered in her ear, hoping she doesn't reach out to go there otherwise I will have to leave this room immediately.

"Don't you have work to do?" she asked, frowning at me while standing a few feet away with her hands folding.

"I will tell you a secret. Actually, I don't have much work to do at home every day as I kind of allotted the work Bhai used to do for the executives respectively. I just need to monitor them every day and I stay most of the time there because I don't know what else to do at home." I explained honestly and her blank face slipped showing a hint of shock.

"Why are you telling me that?" she asked frowning.

"Because I want to be honest near you. And I also want you to ask me whatever doubts you have even a small one as I am not busy like my brother used to be." I explained smiling at her.

"And I shared my work to spend more time with my family." I added, hoping she gets my meaning behind that.

"Then you should spend time with Aunty and Jasmine instead of staying in the study room." She stated after composing herself while I sighed.

"I am doing that too." I mumbled, shaking my head while smiling at Elisha, who is again patting my face and pulling my hair feeling bored.

"Da..." her tiny voice suddenly shocked me to the core while Palak rushed to close the door after hearing that voice.

"She... she..." I stuttered, not knowing what to say while Palak cleared her throat to get my attention.

"She did that a few times already. I don't know how she picked up that word but I heard her saying that from last week." Palak explained and I glanced at her with a guilty expression.

"I am sorry about that. I was calling myself that whenever I spent time with her alone." I explained back hoping she will not get angry about it.

However, she just forwarded her hand to get Elisha from my hands, but I shook my head holding her tightly fearing her decision.

"Palak! I will not do it again and she will forget it soon, but don't stop me from spending time with her. I... I will really be like a... a... uncle for her but please don't do this." I pleaded with her while killing myself to say those words.

"I... I am not doing that. I need to change her diaper." She explained, gesturing down and then I realized that her diaper is now dirty.

"Oh! I will do it." Saying that I stood up before rushing towards a flat table, we installed specially to change diapers when I found a video.

I took a few more minutes while changing diaper as an excuse to calm down myself. The fear gripped my heart when I thought she is going to take her away as I was calling myself as her Dad sneakily.

"You are better than me." She mumbled, standing closer while inspecting me and even made sure baby stay calm.

"I watched many videos." I explained and maybe heard her letting out a chuckle.

"I closed the door because I don't know how will they react if they hear her." She continued when I finished the process.

"And you... you are her Dad. Your name is still under her father's name." she added and immediately turned to walk away from me while I stiffened in shock hearing those words from her mouth which I already know.

But her saying those is like an amazing thing to happen and that caused me to step forward before pulling her back into my arms with her back pressed to me.

"Thank you!" I whispered and pressed my lips to her cheek.

I groaned when she moved her elbow to hit me and stepped away as a reaction towards my action. She shook her head before taking Elisha from my hands.

"It's better if you leave right now. And next time don't come into this room." She warned before walking towards the crib while I walked out of the room rubbing my stomach with a smile covering my face.

I took it too far, but her words are still ringing and I think I will sleep peacefully for sure. I glanced at Jasmine, who is sitting alone now while watching television.

She glanced hearing the sound of door closing before raising her eyebrow when I still continued to smile. Mom must have left to sleep as it is past her sleeping time.

"You shouldn't watch TV so much, Jasmine." I pointed out and she shook her head.

"You shouldn't have stayed there with the door closed too. It was a good thing that Mom left before that door got closed." She retorted making me roll my eyes.

"You wouldn't understand." I mumbled and she sighed before concentration back on the show not saying anything else.

*Palak Pov*

"I will be late tonight, Aunty." I said during the breakfast making her pause while serving food for us.

"Because of the presentation?" she asked, looking at me.

"Yes! And my friends will be coming for this. I would be spending time with them too after the conference." I added and she nodded but immediately frowned.

"Wouldn't they want to meet Elisha?" she asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Aunty. I will not take her to the hospital. If they will stay for a few days, then I will ask them to come here tomorrow or meet them somewhere else." I replied she sighed in relief.

"We will go out today for shopping, Mom." Jasmine said after hearing our conversation.

"We will be celebrating her first birthday soon and we need to prepare so many things. Let's take her with us." She added while playing with Eli.

I frowned, hearing that feeling worried because taking her for shopping may not be a good idea. She is still a little one and I will not be there.

"Don't worry! I will take care of her and we will do just clothes shopping and decorations. We will not take her to dangerous places and will return the moment she feels uncomfortable." Aunty assured after staring at me.

I glanced down realizing I gave out my views and I don't know whether I was completely in wrong to think that. She is after all her grandmother and cares for her and Jasmine is crazy about her niece but I still got worried.

Was it just normal worry from my side or am I still keeping a barrier between us? Even after they showed complete care and honesty during all this time and it's been nearly two years in a few months.

"Sure, Aunty! I will spend time with them with no worries then." I smiled looking at her and she smiled back.

"Even I will be late today. I have an important video conference to attend." He voiced out joining our conversation and everything went back to normal.

I carefully got ready, feeling nervous about meeting them today. It's been so long since I met them and talked to them occasionally.

"Wow! You look so beautiful in that Saree, Bhabhi." I got startled hearing Jasmine's voice and turned to see her walking inside while holding Eli.

"You didn't go to college?" I asked after thanking her.

"No! I am not going today to prepare for shopping." I shook my head hearing her answer.

"Er... Bhabhi, are you feeling uncomfortable because of my brother?" she asked, clearing her throat and before I can understand her question she rushed out of the room passing Eli when Aunty called her.

I stared at the place she was standing until a few seconds back while thinking about her question. Am I feeling uncomfortable? I shook my head to clear the thoughts before glancing at Eli.

I started packing a bag for her necessities they may need and walked out of the room to pass her to them. I waved before leaving the house in the car they allotted to me before reaching my work place.

It feels good to work again and my energy didn't reduce even after starting to work for the past few weeks. I really took a long leave and because I continued to come here to train the interns, it didn't feel much different.

By afternoon I finished my work and rushed towards the conference venue. I got late, causing me to not meet them ahead of the conference, but found them the moment I entered the hall.

During the conference none of us exchanged the words and even finished my presentation along with them. I prepared a lot for this with my senior and it helped to let the presentation flow smoothly.

"Uff! That was such a long one." Tina mumbled the moment we all walked out of the hall.

"Exactly! My legs are tired." Veer commented, shaking his legs.

"Stop it! Don't embarrass yourself." Tina mumbled, making him frown.

"Doing this is better than getting leg cramps." He shook his head while I stood there seeing all this.

It feels like I went back to the past and so much didn't happen at all. I glanced at Senior who is looking at me with questioning eyes and I know he has a lot of questions right now.

"Let's sit somewhere to interrogate her." Saying that Tina pulled me along with her and found a table at the corner before pushing me down.

She sat down beside me while the others sat right in front of us. I sighed scratching my neck, wishing to scold my chief right now.

I never informed them about anything that happened to me, but that chief of mine actually informed Senior about my marriage to James. He passed the words to Tina and Veer in return.

I was still I my own world at that time and didn't say much except for saying it was nothing. They didn't ask much about anything except for to stay in contact while asking whether I am fine or not.

Last year Senior contacted me and again asked me why did these changes occurred and is it because of my family. I couldn't explain the matter even to him and I would have if it was in the past.

"We need the reasons right now. We thought of visiting you all this time, but were worried not knowing whether we will disturb you or something. We kind of forced ourselves to be your friends and we didn't want to pressure you. And thank god we got this chance to meet you." Tina mumbled and I frowned at her.

"You all are my friends. It's just that... I... I don't know where to start." I frowned, thinking what should I even tell them.

"Just know that everything wasn't as simple as it seemed. He had other intentions and I was pregnant because of which I took that step. But so many things happened after that." I mumbled, knowing well I am confusing them with my words, but I don't want to say it clearly too and I don't know the reason for it.

"You married his brother and now you are a widow at such young age." Veer mumbled and immediately got hit by Tina while I stilled hearing those words.

Widow? Yes! After James demise, I would be that before them, right? I sighed stopping Tina when she continued to scold him.

"Are you okay now, Palak?" Senior asked finally opening his mouth.

"Yes! I am fine and I have a beautiful daughter, Senior." I replied finally addressing him like I used to which shocked him.

"Do you want to return to Lonavla? It is not difficult to get you to transfer." He suggested and I frowned at him.

If it was before, during early pregnancy with no complications I would have jumped at that suggestion and maybe would have done it even before a few months after Eli was born. But now... I don't know because this would make them distant from Eli.

It will be not that much distant because Lonavla is not that far. But the company issues? It's fine if I just transfer them after finding a loophole or else come here whenever I need to.

I groaned, feeling too many thoughts entering my head and it's been so long feeling confused about a decision in this manner and it feels very new.

"Think about it and there is no rush." Tina suggested and I gave a nod to think about it.

"When will we meet your daughter?" she added, smiling to change the topic.

"Tomorrow! Do you guys want to come home or meet outside?" I asked, but then stiffened again realizing what I just referred to the place I am staying as.

Home? When did it become a home? Do I feel it like that? I shook my head to not get into too many thoughts before letting a smile appear on my face.

"We will come to your home." Tina replied before the others can say anything and glanced at her watch.

"Let's go and have dinner." She added finding it to be the dinner time.

"Yeah! We can go to the restaurant of the hotel we are staying at." Veer nodded and they all stood up while I gave them a guilty look.

"Can I take a rain check? I want to go back and rest. I am feeling tired." I mumbled, standing up.

More than feeling tired, I am actually feeling severe pain in my head because of all these thoughts. And I am really not feeling to spend time out right now. It will ruin their night too and it is not a right thing to do.

"Sure! We will meet tomorrow anyway. You don't have to go to work tomorrow right? At what time should we visit?" she asked, smiling at me.

"For lunch? I will message the address." I replied following them out.

"Think about this, Palak." Those were his parting words while Tina and Veer followed him with their joined hands.

I sighed, getting into the car before reaching the house only to find no one there. They must be still shopping and I don't know when did they leave the house in the first place.

I walked into the kitchen even not finding Lakshmi Aunty to prepare something to eat feeling hungry after skipping even lunch.

"You returned early?" I jumped up from my bending position suddenly hearing that voice only to get my head knocked on the opened cupboard door.

"Ah!" I screamed, feeling the pain because of the hit.

"Are you okay?" he rushed forward and immediately rubbed the spot pushing my hand away while I still have my eyes closed.

"You scared me! I was already feeling headache and now this got added." I started complaining while he continued to rub the spot.

"I am sorry! Does it pain too much?" he asked worriedly and I sighed shaking my head.

"It is not that critical. You can stop doing that." I mumbled, opening my eyes and he glanced away from my head to meet my eyes and we both stilled.

I am kind of leaning onto the cupboards while he is standing right before me unintentionally and we both finally realized our positions.

He continued to rub my head, but his eyes travelled down my body before coming up to meet my eyes. I cleared my throat feeling suffocated suddenly and thought of stepping away, but his words stopped me.

"You are looking beauti... actually sexy." I got stunned hearing those words from his mouth as he never used to even in the past.

"Damn! You are really looking sexy." He added circling his hand around my waist, holding me tightly before pulling me closer removing the little space between us.

"Don..." before I could stop him, the other hand shifted from my head to my cheek and caressed it slowly.

"I am really crazy about you, right?" I don't know whom is he asking that question and I can't even think because he pressed his lips to mine in the next second.

"Sto..." I couldn't even finish the word I tried to get out when I managed to push him away placing my hands on his chest before he again kissed me.

This time with passion that made my hands tremble and in the end had to tighten my hold on his coat to stop them from trembling.

Why? Why am I letting this happen? It's not like he is using much force and I can push him anytime, but the weakness surrounding my movements is not a small matter.

After a few seconds my lips started moving under his actions and all I can think the reason to be the hit I got on my head.

Yes! That must be it and I just lost my mind. With that thought I kissed him back and this time he stiffened, but just for a second before holding me tightly as if to stitch us together.

I can really blame all this on my head wound because this... this is not something I am used to. This was not something we ever shared and I don't know there could be something like this under passion.

Why? Why now? Before I could dwell more into those thoughts we both heard a loud sound of footsteps and someone humming a song.

That was enough for us to break free from each other and I didn't miss the fact that at some point my hands went around him.

I covered my mouth while staring at him in shock and he stared back with the same expression. When he opened his mouth, I rushed out of the kitchen and found Jasmine walking towards the door.

"Bhabhi! You returned early? We bought so many things..." I cut her off saying, "I have to freshen up."

"Palak! You had your dinner?" Aunty asked as she was sitting in the living room holding Eli while Lakshmi Aunty is holding the bag I prepared today morning.

"No! I will freshen up first and will eat something." I mumbled holding out my arms as Eli stretched out her arms the moment she saw me.

"I will prepare something for you." I nodded at Lakshmi Aunty's words before rushing towards the room and locked the door while wishing I can even lock the incident away just like this and never let it out.