Chapter 8

*Prathap Pov*

I woke up hearing the doorbell and sat up realizing I must be sleeping until late if someone is ringing the bell.

I searched for my phone to check the time but the battery is completely drained adding up to the torture of the shock I am feeling right now that I slept late.

I rushed out of the bedroom and found the clock on the wall which made me frown as I am just half an hour late then why are they ringing the bell already.

"What is it?" I asked opening the door and found Deepak looking at me with a worried expression.

"What happened?" I asked and he immediately shook his head.

"You were late today and the others wanted me to find out whether you will take some more time to come downstairs." He replied clearing his throat.

"I will there in some time as I need to get ready." I mumbled even though feeling weird that they are asking me for as I generally go late sometimes and I am not so punctual.

After he left, I added the plug to my phone to get it charged for sometime before going downstairs and get it fully charged later.

I frowned thinking why the phone switched off as I continuously keep the charge and then I remember what was I doing yesterday.

I can't believe I actually let the call continue instead of cutting it. There are sometimes when I do weird things too I guess.

Ignoring the yesterday's incident, I finished getting ready before stepping out of the house and switched on the phone while yawning as I feel I should sleep for some more time for sure.

I got startled hearing the phone ringing the moment I switched it on and more surprising is that it is from Shrishti as I expected it would be from Anitha because of yesterday's incident.

"What is it?" I asked climbing down the stairs after lifting the call.

"Are you okay?" she asked without saying anything else in a soft tone.

There must be something wrong. She doesn't use soft tone at all but if she does then either she is in a problem or the person she is talking to is in a problem.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked her frowning.

"You just woke up?" she asked after a few seconds pause.

"I... I called to let you know to not take things seriously. And I actually called yesterday night for some other matter but it was engaged." She continued.

"I was talking to Anitha. But you are not telling me what happened." I pointed out.

"Talking to her? Prathap! You need to check the articles that are trending today on her name." she mumbled and I frowned entering the restaurant where they are getting ready to adjust the tables but stopped doing it the moment they saw me.

"Chef! He is here!" one of them shouted and Bharghav stepped out of the kitchen with a frown.

I gestured him to the cabin and cut the call saying I will call her later. The moment we both entered my cabin, he closed the door behind him.

"What happened? Is something wrong with the ingredients that were brought for today or did I left the kitchen in a mess after yesterday's cooking?" I asked sitting down while he took a deep breath.

"You know rumors are easy to spread. You shouldn't believe them and have trust on your fiancé. Don't hurt her and comfort her." He continued to talk about rubbish.

"What are you saying?" I asked him frowning.

"You didn't know the news?" he asked back and I remember Shrishti asking me to check the articles on Anitha and he is saying something about my fiancé.

I switched on the system before typing her name and the next moment I got what everyone is trying to say.

Anny is two-timing! This is actually a headline of some gossip site article. Two-timing? Well, if she had someone else then she should have known to keep it a secret when we are having a fake thing going on.

With a married man? That's a surprise as I don't think she will do that. Wait! I thought they were talking about me that day and felt confused at other woman part but is it related to this.

She was partying with her lover yesterday evening at his residence after leaving the celebration bash from the crew.

Why are they writing such absurd things? When did she do that? I thought shaking my head and lifted my head to find Bharghav looking at me curiously.

"This is not true." I mumbled and he sighed in relief.

"I know you are not stupid. I told Deepak the same thing but he thinks you are stupid as he said you will feel hurt and will be in a bad mood." He continued while I gestured him to leave before calling her number.

"Hello!" I heard someone else voice.

"Is Anitha there?" I asked and there was no sound from that side and finally, heard her voice.

"What is all this? Why are they spreading such rumors?" I asked reading the remaining article and they even posted a picture which is definitely not her as I remember her dress from yesterday and the color is the same but not the pattern.

"Rumors? You think those are rumors? I would have hugged you right now if you were here for saying that instead of believing them." She rushed her words and I cleared my throat.

"Well, I was on a call with you for so long even after you left the party." I pointed out.

"Oh! And here I thought you just trust me." She mumbled and I felt surprised by the way she is talking.

"Are you still drunk?" I asked remembering the same tone from yesterday.

"Of course not! I am mad right now but I can't do anything. I need to leave for the airport soon but I am thinking about the media right now. How can they link me with a married man and calling me as two-timing?" she asked back and sighed without waiting for my reply.

"It's still early morning here and already so many articles are out. Mr. Vikranth said he will release a statement by saying all these are false but I wish I can do something to reduce these rumors too." She mumbled.

"If anyone asks me then I will tell them they are not true and will tell them I was in contact with you during that time. Then Vikranth's work will reduce, right?" I asked worrying about him and also her as I can see the harsh comments about her character.

She didn't say anything for a few seconds before calmly saying, "Can I ask for help if you don't mind?"

"What is it?" I asked leaning back while thinking how can people talk about others like this but then her request shocked me as usual like she usually does.

*Anitha Pov*

"Don't worry! The news is completely false and it will be out of people's mind soon." Keerthi assured me as we were about to land.

"I may lose the chance in this movie as they don't want any controversy." I pointed out and she sighed patting my hand.

"Mr. Vikranth said he will handle everything." She mumbled but I felt guilty for getting into another trouble this soon.

The whole year I stayed away from the word trouble also but now I am getting myself into so many things that are just scaring me even though I am trying to be just mad and showing funny attitude.

I took a deep breath stepping out of the terminal and reached the departure doors where I found three people from the media immediately and felt Keerthi patting my back in an assuring way but I couldn't relax until I found him waiting at the other end.

A smile appeared on my face and I walked closer to him as if this is a ramp walk before reaching the person who is smiling back but it looks awkward from closer.

"Darling!" he shouted waving his hand with an awkward look which nearly made me pause from taking another step but remembering those three ready to take the pictures, I continued to walk.

"Thank you!" I whispered circling my arms around his neck and hugged him while he returned the hug.

"Will this be fine?" he whispered and I nodded thanking him in my mind more than I expected.

"Let's go, Darling!" he said patting my back.

I released him and we all stepped out of the airport before getting into his car while Keerthi and her husband got into the rented car as they will go to the hotel directly.

"Darling?" I asked staring at him the moment he started the engine.

"What is it?" he asked as if I am actually calling him instead of showing my shock at the word he just used.

"I mean, that was quite an improvisation. How did you think of using that endearment?" I asked staring at me while he frowned.

"You used that word yesterday and I thought we should use such endearments in public." He explained and I closed my eyes remembering how Keerthi said I was flirting with him but didn't give me exact words as I remember a few things here and there but not complete details.

And adding to that his contact is actually saved under the same word, 'Darling!' and I was more than shocked when he called me this morning and I found that name displaying.

"Thank you so much for doing this. If they see that we are completely normal, they will believe the statements released by Mr. Vikranth immediately. As you are not a celebrity they will not doubt your actions." I explained again in a rush to change the topic but again while feeling relieved inside.

"I understood that part when you explained earlier. I saw them clicking our pictures." He mumbled and I already know that.

"So, you will be coming to my place?" he asked glancing at me.

"Just for today and will go back to the hotel room during the night time. I am sorry about that part." I replied while he shrugged.

"I don't like Vikranth having to do more work and knowing that you are not at fault, how can I not help. Actually, I got extra customers that are now regular because of you. So, I am returning the favor." He mumbled and I smiled hearing that.

"Feeling hurt that you are doing this for Mr. Vikranth." I teased him and he cleared his throat.

So, every time he is clearing his throat when I teased him, this is the expression he wears on his face? I don't remember clearly from yesterday but I definitely know I said so many things as Keerthi gave a vivid description.

"Why didn't you cut the call yesterday?" I asked and he nearly crashed into the vehicle moving before us.

"Huh? Oh! You were drunk and I thought it is safe to know whether you are safe. Vikranth and I do that for Shrishti too, I mean not video call but we make sure the call is on until she reaches home." He explained and I looked away hearing that.

I know I am being salty right now even after getting his help but... but I am still upset thinking about his one side love for his friend.

"You should always make sure your crush is safe during such situations and I am glad you are a gentleman like that towards her." I mumbled and he again gave the same reaction making me scream as it was a complete danger as just one second would have been enough to get into a huge accident right now.

"How do you know that?" he asked in a shocked tone after controlling the car.

Why do both of them react the same way while driving? I shouldn't talk about serious stuff like this during traveling near these both otherwise my life would be a serious condition.

How can I explain how I got to know this matter last year when I have to spill so many things along with that?

"Uhmm... you were crying about engaged crush and I heard the next day about your friend engagement but that got canceled and the same day you said you missed the chance of being with your crush. So, I added the connection." I explained after a few minutes when we reached his restaurant and he stared at me in shock.

"You are smart!" he whispered and I smiled ignoring the earlier feeling.

"I know!" I whispered and he shook his head smiling.

"Only Deepak and you know about this. Don't tell anyone and I trust you this matter." He said in a serious tone when I was about to open the door.

Only two? Even Vikranth knows about it. I nodded opening the door and he reached my side before we both climbed the stairs together as we already know that a car was following us from the airport.

He unlocked the door and I stepped inside before sighing in relief. It felt as if I am hiding from everyone the moment I entered the flat.

"I need to go back to the restaurant as it's lunchtime and they need my help." He mumbled and I nodded looking around clearly this time as last time it was dark and in the morning my mind was dark.

"Can I use your bed?" I asked feeling tired and he stared at me with the same shocked look he already used so many times.

"If I had asked this question when you were driving then the next moment the ambulance would have drove us, right?" I asked smiling and he cleared his throat.

"Sure! Make yourself home and I will get your food after some time." He replied but I shook my head.

"I am fine! I don't want to eat anything right now and just want to take a nap. I am still curing my hangover." I mumbled while he frowned at me.

"Okay! Just take rest." Saying that he turned to walk towards the door.

"By the way, you could have cut the call after I reached the hotel room. Why didn't you?" I laughed as the moment I asked that he hit his leg to the table on his way.

"Er... I forgot to." Saying that he left the place while I smiled thinking about his different set of reactions.

Oh god! All this time I thought he was the most charming man I met like from the past three years. I didn't know he is this cute too.

I smiled walking towards his room before falling on the bed feeling relaxed after talking to him like this and forgetting the whole headache matter.