*Shrishti Pov*
“Hello?” I smiled hearing his voice and that widened hearing his next sentence.
“You are coming today?” I glanced at my schedule immediately to make sure I don’t have anything planned for this weekend.
After we cut the call, I called over my new assistant to postpone a meeting that is scheduled in the evening to Monday before packing my things.
It’s been nearly three months since I shifted to this city and even our relationship shifted to a better angle. Everything is going better than I expected from my business to my relationship and I am even able to Vikranth a few times normally regarding my business.
However, I still didn’t share it with any of them regarding my arranged marriage or anything related to it. Even Dad is quiet about it as he doesn’t know the relationship progress between Nitish and me.
I smiled entering the villa and found the thr
*Shrishti Pov*“When will be the opening ceremony?” I asked looking around the Prathap’s new restaurant branch.“Soon! I thought it will be within two weeks but then Uncle gave me this big news that my best friend is getting engaged within a week and so I am thinking of choosing a later date.” I gripped my hand on the bag hearing his accusing tone.“Not because of your break-up with Anny?” I asked staring back at him instead of the walls.“Oh God! We didn’t break up. Why is everyone thinking that we broke up?” he asked shaking his head and waved his hand at the entrance.I turned to find Vikranth and Kanika walking towards us along with Anny. I smiled looking at them but then remembered Prathap’s words from earlier that they both divorced already.When everyone sat down, Prathap got up to bring juice and snacks for us while I stared at my hand ho
*Shrishti Pov*“Why are you suddenly nervous?” Nitish asked seeing my expression but I just shook my head.“Is something wrong?” he continued and I finally turned to stare at him instead of the guests that came to attend the engagement party.“My friends are coming now to greet you. I just don’t want any of you to feel awkward.” I explained pointing out his hatred towards GH and also I know my friends are a bit wary of him after everything that happened with Anny.He stared back at me in silence before saying, “I know that they are important for you.”I smiled hearing those words and Vikranth and Prathap reached us along with Kanika but Anny didn’t attend the function as she was busy with some shoot.“Congratulations! I never expected that before me you are going to get en…” Prathap cut off his voice realizing he was about to blurt o
*Shrishti Pov*“You seem to be really busy these days. Are there any problems with work?” I asked when he finally picked the call after I tried to call him two times.We weren’t able to meet last week as he had some conference to attend to meet investors and so it’s been nearly a month since we meet each other.“Kind of! What happened?” he asked clearing his throat.He must be still trying to overcome the problems at work. I thought it will be fine when his Dad stops threatening him with the investment.He told me that they need to get more investments but it could be a problem. Should I invest some in his company that could reduce the burden?“Shrishti?” I came back from these thoughts hearing his voice.“By when will you reach tomorrow?” I leaned back enquiring about it so that I can adjust my work tomorrow to meet him up early.“
*Shrishti Pov*“Movie? But I don’t know when can I come to your home.” I mumbled in return for his suggestion.“It’s okay! I don’t have any particular movie in mind to watch. We will adjust according to the time you can come here. Or we can meet directly at the mall.” He offered and I smiled accepting his plan before we both hang up.“You look happy, Shrishti.” I turned around to find Leela Aunty who seems to just reach the living room from the kitchen looking at me with a smile.“I am!” I whispered and hugged her back.It’s been a long time since I actually tried to spend time with her as I gave myself a goal to be as independent as possible. Of course, that goal went into some black hole as I ended up being dependent on Nitish.However, somewhere it feels like I am actually not that dependent on Nitish like I was with my friends in the pa
*Nitish Pov*More than a continuous trail of complaints, a long-term silence is deadly. I know Shrishti must have got hurt because of today’s events with Mom ignoring her presence and also her idea to make Lisa stay at home.She suddenly dragged me out of the house and didn’t say a word no matter how much I am asking her.Right now, we are sitting inside a theatre but we both are not paying any attention to the movie for sure.She sighed again and I finally turned to stare at her only to see her not even staring at the screen.“Let’s go from here.” I whispered holding her hand and she nodded not even turning to glance at me.After we reached the car, I felt it is better to find a place to have a good talk and drove towards a park and parked it.“Shrishti! I am sorry on my Mom’s behalf. She really needs just some time to get to know you and I am sure you both will
*Shrishti Pov*“Shrishti!” I got startled while breaking away from the thoughts roaming in my head.“What?” I asked staring at the four people who are staring right at me with questioning looks.“Is something wrong?” Prathap asked frowning and I shook my head smiling.“You should have brought Nitish with you. We didn’t talk to him properly that day and didn’t get a chance to meet him properly and have a talk.” He added leaning back.“What talk?” I asked to which he glanced at Anny.“Nothing! Just to know him a bit…” he cut his words from which Vikranth continued saying, “Also to let him know us a bit.”“He already knows you all as I talked to him too much about our friendship. Also, he is busy right now with work and even we are unable to meet properly these days.” Again is what I would I to
*Nitish Pov*“You are okay now?” Shrishti asked staring at my face with a worried look.I don’t know! I mean, will she scold me if I say I was jealous of her praising Vikranth than anything else right now?Today’s conference kind of boosted up my confidence to get back on track but when I heard her praising Vikranth the moment I opened the door, I felt a sense of loss.At the same time, I felt glad to hear her words expressing my trouble because of Rohan’s actions. If he was not my friend then I would have fired him and even sued him long ago.I tried my best to not be harsh but today hearing her saying the words in my heart just made me wish I clap for her. However, my jealousy won over this feeling and I kind of messed it up I think.If not for our promise in the past that we will not point out our pasts, I would have said this honestly.However, I understand her heart too
*Shrishti Pov*“Shrishti? When did you reach home?” I smiled at Dad’s shock before waving at him from the dining area.“Early in the morning! You were sleeping and so I didn’t disturb you. Will you have breakfast?” I asked gesturing my plate.“Definitely! It’s been a few weeks since I saw you.” He replied taking his seat and continued to smile at me.“Will you stay home or go to the hotel? I already told you that Nitish can stay here comfortably as I don’t stay much.” He continued while I cleared my throat at the way he is so open about it.“I am not going to the hotel this time, Dad. Nitish is busy and is actually not in the city right now.” I explained and he frowned a bit.“I am hearing that word a lot recently.” He mumbled while I nodded at his statement.Recently, I can use the word busy to mention Nitish
*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
*Nitish Pov* “Shrishti!” I whispered seeing her leave just like that and what kills me more is her asking me to first think about my business now and then we can talk to each other. “How dare he to talk to me in that tone? Doesn’t he know who I am? I will show him what will happen if he looks down on our family.” Dad burst out. “I will arrange a better marriage for you, Nitish. What is their family for me? It was all just an arranged scheme and there are better ones out there who can even save your company from this contract.” He added and I immediately glanced at him with disbelief. “Do you even hear yourself, Dad? She is not just an arranged scheme for me. She is my future wife and just remove all those thoughts from your head.” I warned him and he shook his head. “If you don’t listen to me, then I will just remove the investment from your company along with my thoughts. Will it be fine?” he threatened me and
*Shrishti Pov* “I should have known you were hiding something like this. What else, Kanika?” Prathap asked her while she glanced at me and I shook my head. She sighed and just continued to explain what else happened along with the words she heard when she stayed there and I heard a loud sound suddenly. I glanced at Vikranth to find him hitting the steering wheel and even Prathap glanced at him from the passenger seat while Kanika and Anny stayed silent between whom I am sitting right now. Vikranth hired a car for us to travel after getting down from the private plane which he also hired to come here immediately. From the moment they reached the hotel, Kanika started telling them everything without hiding a small matter even though I am trying to stop her. “Vikranth! It’s not like that and I actually ignored them all. Don’t think much about it.” However, it doesn’t seem like he is listening to my words at all.
*Shrishti Pov*I didn’t sleep and just laid there even after he felt but opened my eyes when my phone started ringing and got surprised seeing the caller ID.“Kanika? Is everything fine?” I asked sitting up and she stayed silent for a few seconds.“I called you yesterday but your phone was switched off.” She said instead of replying to my question.“Hmm… I was a bit tired with handling things at the Villa and didn’t charge my phone.” I lied without missing a beat just like I lied many times whenever my friends called me to ask how am I doing.“Really?” she asked in a whisper and I frowned realizing her tone doesn’t seem to be normal.“Where are you now? Don’t say you are at the villa.” She immediately added and I paused realizing she somehow knows that I am not at the villa and how she knows that I don’t know.
*Kanika Pov* “So? Why did you come here directly instead of waiting in the living room?” Lisa asked frowning at me and seems like she doesn’t remember me. “I didn’t find anyone when I walked to the entrance and tried calling the number that was given to me but with no response, I came here. Should I have gone back to Mumbai?” I asked back staring at her and her expression just turned worse than the earlier one. “Lisa! You handle it.” Saying that Nitish’s Mom stood up before walking towards me and didn’t even glance at me. After a few seconds, Lisa moved towards me while muttering, “Where did these helpers go? Why are they getting a salary for? Can’t even do one work properly!” I followed her to the living room where the two staff members I brought with me are waiting with the attires. I frowned at the way Lisa is behaving and sat down while gesturing for the clothes and the staff immediately moved to dis
*Lisa Pov*“Did you hear it clearly?” I asked smirking at her face filled with shock and she closed her eyes before opening them with a normal expression to look at me.“Why are you so happy that she doesn’t like me? I didn’t realize you wanted to marry her all this time.” She stated and I glared at her words.“What do you mean by that?” I asked fisting my hands.“I am engaged to Nitish and yes his mother is important but Nitish and I will not lead our lives with her for sure. So, why are you so happy that she is against me when Nitish is the one who wants to marry me even on the day he lands in India if I accept?” I scoffed hearing those words and shook my head.“Are you sure? I am his first love and for whom he started this company and for whom he cares a lot and for whom he can leave everyone if I express my feelings. And to top of that Aunty adores
*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
*Shrishti Pov*“Are you still not feeling well, Ma’am? I thought you will get better by taking a rest over the weekend.” My assistant mumbled while I checked the client details for the next event.Rest? I even forgot the meaning of that word. The plan of mine was to take as much rest as possible during the weekend and start working with full energy from Monday.However, I just ended up feeling worse than before and now I don’t even want to keep my eyes open but had to as I already took a long leave before the weekend.If it was Jenny who is my assistant then I could have left everything with her to take another week’s leave but now I can’t do it and on top of that, I don’t want to spend another week 24/7 in that villa with those people.I believed Nitish to settled them down a bit after telling him what happened but it turned worse as they both just stared at me as if I am a c
*Shrishti Pov*“Madam!” I groaned when I felt someone shaking me and slowly opened my eyes to find one of the helpers looking at me worriedly.“What happened, Aunty?” I asked clearing my throat while she checked my forehead.“How are you feeling, Madam?” she asked back and I took a deep breath before letting out a yawn.“I am fine now. Don’t worry about me. I can even go to work after this weekend.” I replied smiling but she didn’t smile back.“It’s true! It’s already been three days since I felt sick and I am fine now.” I assured her and she slowly nodded before stepping back.I glanced at the clock on the bedside to find it’s already past eleven. I gave her a smile and got down from the bed but immediately returned to my previous posture when I started feeling dizzy.“Can you prepare some food, Aunty? I gues