*Prathap Pov*
“Where did you got that thought from?” Vikranth asked looking at me while I still stared at them in shock even though they recovered from it.
“He must have gone mad. Let’s sit first before discussing the matter.” Shrishti mumbled while gesturing them but they continued to stand there.
“They both have been meeting every day and that too at his cabin alone. He is even paying penalty for her so that she can join his entertainment company. Don’t you think they are interested in each other?” I asked looking at Shrishti and she frowned hearing those words.
“They both will become a couple eventually for sure.” I assured her and her expression turned into a doubtful look.
“Did you forget the agent I chose for her to be in the same cabin along with my assistant? And is it wrong to invest in someone who has potential? Do you know how your words are sounding right now? You are disrespecting both of us here.” He shouted and I turned to glance at him hearing that tone.
I stared at both of them before realizing what I just uttered as I was too focused on making sure Shrishti gives up to propose him.
“Let’s meet for the appointment that we fixed in the first place for agreement signing.” That girl Anitha commented before leaving the room without giving a second glance towards the table.
Vikranth stared at me for a few seconds before glancing at Shrishti who composed herself and asked him to continue to join us.
“I will be going. I am not in the mood for this.” Saying that he walked off but not before staring at me for a few seconds with a blank look.
“What have you done, Prathap? I need to wait for a month before following my plan.” She mumbled groaning while drinking the full glass of water.
“What?” I asked hoping she will not reveal that he is the one she has a crush on because then I can’t do anything openly like today.
“I like him, Prathap. I wanted to confess my feelings for him after lunch but because of your actions, he left without even having lunch. He will be going to leave the country for business-related matters. Now, I have to wait for one whole month.” She mumbled sighing before glancing at me.
“But with the way you just talked, it seems there is a high chance for him to be with someone soon. I need to hurry before that happens.” She suddenly said before holding my hand.
“You have to help me when he returns. I need to plan properly next time.” She added smiling at me while I just stared at her feeling hurt and also angry at myself.
What if I wasn’t this haste to show her that he has someone in his life, then all this wouldn’t have happened, right? Or maybe it would have because of the bad luck that is roaming around me right now.
Now, he is angry at me and she wants me to help her with this thing too. I need to apologize to him first as he looked disappointed in me after listening to my words.
Just because she likes him doesn’t mean I don’t like him for sure. I respect him and want to be his friend for as long as I can but I am just selfish regarding my feelings otherwise I would have forgotten my feelings for her long back.
They both are important and that’s why I am hung up like this. But then he doesn’t like her back and that’s what pushing me forward with my feelings. If they like each other then I would have long back up as I will be just a stupid person then.
*Vikranth Pov*
“I am glad to be a part of this and thank you for giving me this chance, Mr. Vikranth.” Ms. Anitha said extending her hand after we signed the contract with her new agent present.
“I will be looking forward to the results and I hope you didn’t mind the schedule that is planned for you. We were lucky to find a good commercial event plus a small web series even though it’s outside our country. You will get a good base from the foreign market and after a year or two, you can get more offers from our country. I will make the needed arrangements before you reach the place as I will be going there tomorrow itself.” I explained showing the schedule and she looks excited but worried too.
“Any problem?” I asked her frowning.
“No! I stay with my friend and I already informed her but this will be tough for her. You need not care for such things and I will deal with them. I am already glad to get this opportunity.” She replied smiling before we started having our dinner.
“I will make sure she doesn’t get any trouble for sure, Mr. Vikranth.” Her agent Mrs. Keerthi assured me before leaving the place as I offered to drop Ms. Anitha as it is on my way to the company.
After driving in silence for a few minutes, I finally opened my mouth saying, “I am sorry about today’s afternoon’s incident, Ms. Anitha. Please don’t take him in the wrong way.”
“You need not apologize because of that as I… it was my mistake to just go along with him while feeling lost in the moments.” She mumbled and I can understand as she already told me that she has a crush on Prathap which I completely ignored but I never thought she will get hurt because of him like this.
“For two years I liked him from far but now I think I will feel embarrassed whenever I think of those memories. I was so building dreams over the clouds with today’s meeting as I thought he must have found out about me and that’s why he was there and the way he interacted too gave me a push. But then they all crashed down with a snap.” She added shaking her head and a few tears rolled down her face.
“I am sorry for talking too much like this. I think the wine is taking effect.” She mumbled brushing her tears away while I stayed silent.
“However, it felt like he wants us to be in a relationship, or maybe you in a relationship. Why? Is he concerned about you or maybe like someone who likes you?” she shook her head and I nearly ran over the divider hearing those words and she sobered a bit after that.
“I am right? He was trying to talk to the lady with you regarding us by stressing the words. So, she likes you but he likes her?” she continued to ask and I felt I need to add a condition to her agent to never let her drink more than two glasses of wine.
Why is she able to know all those details with such perfection when those two were stupid all this time? Do they think I am blind or what?
I know Prathap likes Shruthi and he knows that she likes me. And as for me… I shook my head to not go to that part.
“So, he wants you to be in a relationship which would give him a chance with his crush? Maybe you should start dating someone but I already heard you be in relationships before then why didn’t he get the chance. Maybe you need to be in a serious relationship like engagement or maybe marriage. Then the problem will be solved but then if you like her too then it’s another matter.” She continued to talk and I immediately messaged her agent regarding her alcohol tolerance.
“We are here, Ms. Anitha.” I mumbled sighing in relief after reaching the address she gave me and I found someone waiting for her.
“You are drunk!” the person who must be her friend whispered the moment Ms. Anitha threw her arms around her friend.
“What will do when I go away? I will be leaving within a week. What happened to you?” she shouted at the end and I glanced at the person only to find a few bruises on her face.
“I am fine!” her friend mumbled before glancing at me.
“She has a low tolerance for alcohol. Please inform that to your boss.” Saying that she turned around to leave.
“What? Did you give up your education fees for that stupid father of yours? What will you do now? I was hoping you will get living arrangements after joining this course.” She continued to shout.
“I will handle it.” Her friend shouted back while I closed the door which they didn’t close so that I can keep the voices away from my head as it is aching too much right now.
Prathap is really taking serious steps now and I don’t know what will happen if something goes wrong and I can’t let that happen. Maybe… I thought with a frown covering my face at the words ringing in my head.
#After a Year#
*Anitha Pov*
“I want to sleep in a comfortable bed.” I whined rolling in my seat as the car just passed another bump as we are returning from the airport.
“You wanted to return to India today itself, Anny. We could have stayed a week more before returning so that you could have got enough rest.” My agent Keerthi commented while her husband grunted accepting those words.
Why did I hire her husband as my bodyguard again? They both always team up against me for the past year. Right! I felt bad she has to stay away from her husband because of me and pleaded Mr. Vikranth to accept this.
“Today night there is a party for my friend’s first anniversary and she doesn’t have any family to be her side. So, I need to be there.” I explained it again.
I still feel guilty and also angry that I was not present during her marriage and there are still questions revolving my head regarding her marriage but it’s already been a year and it’s too late to question now.
I wish I was able to return to India after that but like they warned me the schedule was hectic but then it was profitable too and I am glad to not damage the trust Mr. Vikranth had in my capability.
“We will be staying at a hotel for now. She thinks it is better if I don’t stay there as there will be gossip attached for sure.” I mumbled when Keerthi asked again whether I am sure to stay at a hotel and not at my friend’s place.
After reaching the hotel, I covered my face with the shades before entering the lobby and reached my room while they both went to their room after assuring me that she will wake me after an hour.
I finally lay down on my bed to sleep but somehow I couldn’t sleep even though I am feeling sleepy. Ugh! I started rolling on the bed this time before sitting properly.
I got freshened up before getting ready by the time Keerthi rang the room bell. She scolded me for not taking proper rest and continued to nag me whether she really doesn’t want us to accompany her.
“It’s a personal event and I want both of you to rest properly. We have to leave soon after meeting with our boss, right.” I told her but still let them drop me at the mansion standing lonely at the far end of the road before asking them to just leave.
When I reached the gate, the security guard immediately opened it saying their madam already informed about me.
I smiled thinking about how she makes sure to never inconvenience someone even though it is the least of it.
“Your amazing friend is here, Kanika.” I said the moment I found her standing near the entrance while ordering someone regarding the lightings.
“Supermodel Anny is here or should I start calling her an actress.” She said smiling at me before hugging me tightly.
“I missed you.” She mumbled and I repeated the words hugging her back.
“Look at you, managing a party like this huge.” I mumbled when she continued to make the last-minute adjustments and is taking care of everything without wasting a small thing.
“How is your preparation for your dream? Are you being able to manage that while doing all this?” I asked when we both sat down as there is time for the guests to arrive.
“Just a year more.” She mumbled looking at her hands before glancing at me with a smile.
“Where is my brother-in-law?” I asked looking around and she shook her head because of the title I used.
“How can you call your boss like that?” she asked back and I stared at her silence wishing to ask how did my boss became your husband but then I don’t want to disturb the mood.
“Already celebrating the first anniversary when you are just twenty-six while I am the same age but still don’t have a boyfriend.” I whined in a joking manner and she chuckled hearing that before hitting my shoulder.
****
“Where is he?” I asked her in a whisper after the party started and all his business-related members are here along with his family and everyone has the same question but their tone is way higher than normal, unlike mine.
“I… I don’t know!” she whispered and she looks a bit scared for a second before she closed her eyes and opened them again with a determined look.
After that, she managed to entertain the guests alone and they left the party earlier than expected and I couldn’t involve myself when there were unnecessary comments here and there but she completely ignored them.
When everyone left, I finally glanced at her asking, “Will you tell me now why are you in this situation in the first place?”
“I…” her words got cut off when her phone started ringing and she immediately picked up the call.
The moment she heard the voice from the other side, she immediately rushed to get her purse from the table before glancing at me.
“How will you go home? It’s late!” she mumbled checking the time.
“What happened?” I asked looking at her.
“He lost time while celebrating his friend Shrishti’s engagement party. He is drunk and wants me to pick him up.” She explained sighing and I felt surprised as I remember the name.
Did she get engaged to him after his rival got married to my friend or what? I thought with a frown and immediately brushed the thoughts away as my embarrassing moments too entered my mind the moment I thought about him.
“I will come with you.” I mumbled wishing to give him a class for abandoning her like this during their anniversary party.
“It’s fine! I can manage and it’s not like the first time.” She mumbled before rubbing her forehead.
“You look tired and it’s best if I am there beside you.” I stood my ground and she finally let me come with her and I covered my face with the scarf I brought along with the shades before getting into her car.
I stared at her profile and found her looking disturbed even though she is trying to act like she isn’t bothered by any of this.
“You should let him know this is not right.” I whispered calmly.
“I can understand! She is important to him.” She mumbled with a dejected look and we reached the place before I could ask her to explain that sentence.
“Oh god!” I mumbled looking at the two people completely wasted after pouring themselves I don’t know how many drinks.
“Is he the groom?” I asked gesturing Prathap and she shook her head in negative and that surprised me a bit and maybe a bit satisfying which I immediately pushed away.
“Are you okay?” She walked towards her husband while I walked towards the other person to repeat the question.
“Yeah!” he mumbled shifting and sat properly only to slip after which I took hold of his shoulders before he completely slip.
“Anitha! Help him to the car. We will drop him as his place.” Kanika mumbled and I nodded at her before supporting him while she supported her husband.
“I will take a cab from here. It is better if you guys leave early. His condition doesn’t look good.” I mumbled when we reached his place as I can see him nearly about to vomit and I don’t want to go through all that now.
She looked hesitant but then gave me a nod before driving away while I climbed the stairs of someplace which looks like a business place for some kind as she explained earlier before reaching a small flat on the third floor.
When I asked for the keys, he calmly passed them and I opened the door before walking towards his bedroom immediately as it is just three-room flat and space is also smaller unlike what I expected it to be.
When I shifted him a bot so that he can lay on the bed, he shifted his hands to hold my waist and dragged me down along with him and we both ended up lying on the bed.
What is this headache now? I am already tired and still feeling sleepy and maybe can have a good sleep after returning to the hotel room but now I need to remove these steel bars around me.
I need to leave soon before those both get worried about me is the only thought running my head but then he opened his mouth and all the thoughts just left my mind.