Chapter 2

*Shrishti Pov*

"This place changed a lot within a year, right?" my team started talking among themselves as we finished our work of arranging the decorations for the hall we got assigned to and we just need to make sure there is no problem otherwise everything is done.

"Yes! Even the expenses raised from last year." I commented checking the receipts.

"But we got paid more than last time too." One of them smiled and I nodded smiling back.

"We are going to the club we went to last time. You didn't join us as you were in a hurry to go home. Will you come with us today?" I glanced at Jenny who is my assistant and also the first person I hired after starting this event management.

Of course! I was in a rush to go back as I was finally planning to confess to Vikranth after missing for the first time I planned.

"Sure! Let's wait until the event is done and we can leave." I replied smiling before walking away to the corner to make sure I can keep an eye on the things I assigned for myself.

"You finally reached your goal?" Vikranth asked while checking the menu.

I can't believe that I reached my goal this soon and that was possible because of receiving too many job works so soon. If not for them then I wouldn't have got the chance of confessing to him this soon.

I don't know why did I even place this condition before confessing to him. Maybe I was just scared and just needed a moment of accomplishment before saying something.

It is weird to be scared of a 27-year-old self but he is my best friend. How can I just confess when he never even talked to us about his feelings regarding the opposite sex?

He is always so involved with the business matters and at the same time successful that it feels the person he will be with must be amazing for sure and mainly the one who stands on her own.

So, I had to cover up my feelings but now even I am successful and I have some value of my own instead of just being my father's daughter.

He cares for me more than he cares for Prathap and we are comfortable with each other. I can't imagine anyone else to have as a life partner and he doesn't interact with anyone except for me this close.

I opened my mouth and closed hearing the door sound and realized Prathap is here. I wish he was a bit late but I can confess to him later.

"We are supposed to meet for dinner, right?" I glanced at Vikranth hearing that question and came out of my shock after seeing a girl standing beside Prathap who is so beautiful.

"He said the appointment is preponed." Hearing that reply I frowned but continued to stare at the girl.

"Shrishti! Congratulations on reaching your goal." I can hear Prathap but right now my focus is on knowing who is this.

"Who is she?" I asked glancing at Vikranth.

"Could be his girlfriend soon!" But the answer from Prathap shocked me to the core and then I found even Vikranth staring at him in surprise.

Somehow Prathap started explaining how Vikranth has been meeting this girl continuously while Vikranth is staring at him as if he has gone mad.

So, she is just an artist Vikranth is going to sign for his new agency and invested money more than in general but Prathap just mistook it. I am sure Prathap mistook it as Vikranth is never the type to just give excuses than what is in reality.

"I will be going. I am not in the mood for this." Saying that Vikranth walked off after that girl.

"What have you done, Prathap? I need to wait for a month before following my plan." I mumbled groaning before finishing off the water in the glass before me.

"What?" He asked in a shocked tone.

Right! I made sure to never tell anyone about my feelings and now instead of confessing to Vikranth I announced them to Prathap. This is also fine and I can take his help.

I need to wait until Vikranth returns to the country after finishing his business. I sighed but I need to hurry up and just need to wait for a month.

Thinking there is still a month before he returns, I took the next job work where I have to leave the city very next day and the work is for a week.

Who would have thought that within that week where I was rushing to finish my work after Prathap passed the message that Vikranth returned within a week and that made me push myself to return as soon as I can, there was a surprise waiting for me.

****

"Why are you here?" I asked Prathap smiling as I found him sitting in the living room when I just returned home taking the morning flight.

I messaged him that I will be returning today as I am planning to propose to Vikranth today evening.

"Shrishti! I..." he cleared his throat before looking down while I stood there for him to talk.

"I will tell her, Prathap. You go and get ready. The function is within a few hours." I turned to find Dad walking out of the kitchen carrying a glass of water.

"It's okay, Uncle! I will be here." He nodded and I frowned hearing this weird conversation between them.

"Is there any problem with the company? But why would we have a function if that is the case?" I asked shaking my head.

"Wait! There is a function today? I shouldn't have removed myself from all the groups related to the company otherwise I would have known about this. All my plans are going to get wasted again." I sighed in disappointment.

"What is the function for? It must be important if Prathap is going to attend." I asked sitting down but they both continued to stay silent.

"It's the reception for Vikranth and his wife." Dad voiced out but I gave him a confused look.

"Come on! Don't make up such jokes, Dad. When did you start making up such bad jokes, Dad?" I asked laughing and shook my head but found them staring at me with a serious look.

"Okay! I understand that you both are trying to play a prank. I will go and freshen up and have a nap." Saying that I stood up to leave but Dad held my hand stopping me.

"It's true! He got married yesterday privately and today is the reception." Saying that he passed the glass to my hand.

"Dad!" I whispered staring at him and I know that look is a serious one and he is not joking.

"Drink some water." He mumbled pushing the glass to my lips but I shifted away and pushed the glass back before stepping back.

"Not true!" I whispered and repeated the words but they are not saying anything and I immediately rushed to the stairs and started climbing up ignoring Prathap's voice.

"No!" I whispered brushing my tears away while I felt Prathap holding my hand and stepped into my room following me.

"This is not true, right?" I asked turning to stare at him but he is just looking down.

"No! This can't happen. He is married? How can he get married? I know that he doesn't like anyone. He is always spending his free time with us. How can this be true?" I felt my hands shaking before losing the strength in my knees.

"I am sorry!" Prathap whispered hugging me but I couldn't stop my tears anymore.

"I am supposed to confess to him today. He is married? How..." the words got stuck and I just cried in his arms.

Maybe I am just dreaming all this after getting drunk at that club. Maybe I joined my team at that club and got drunk heavily. All this is just a dream and I need to wake up. Wake up, Shrishti!

"Shrishti?" I shook my head hearing Jenny's voice and found her frowning at me.

"Where are you lost? I have been calling you but you are not answering your phone." She asked and I immediately cleared my thoughts before taking a deep breath.

"What happened?" I asked looking around.

"It's the catering problem. They brought the dishes in less quantity and I don't think it will be enough." She replied and I immediately rushed to follow her and found the dishes to be not the quantity we ordered.

"Don't worry! I will talk to the owner." Saying that I called up the person and took out the receipt from the folder where the advance receipts are stacked.

"You don't want the remaining amount and just going to serve the items as per the advance?" I asked after he started shouting that he sent the proper portions.

"Please remember that we are not a new startup and we are doing business for a long time and our circle is also a huge one. Don't let things become difficult for you. So, send the proper proportions within an hour." Saying that I cut the call and shook my head.

"How can you talk like that, Shrishti? It still amazes me that you are this stubborn during business hours and too naïve at remaining time." Jenny shook her head smiling.

"I wouldn't have been able to do this before as you know as I was really spoiled. The moment I realize I have a problem, my mind would run to think about whom to call from my family. But now... now I can't do that anymore." I said shrugging.

Now, not only Vikranth even Prathap has his own things to do. It is sad that he got forced into this contract matter and I hope he is doing fine.

I don't know when will Uncle accept his business and on top of that he needs to make this whole fake engagement with that star.

I will just go and meet him the moment I return home and make sure to show some support. He must be really angry that his Dad forced him like this.

At the same time, I am guilty that I am one of the reasons for him to go through all this. If only I knew that it was Vikranth's marriage anniversary and I messed it up by inviting him for the sudden engagement party and also the news of my canceled engagement getting out.

If not for all this then they wouldn't have taken this step to cover up the scandal which took away the attention from Vikranth and me.

I still don't trust that actress being honest with her words and all this just a coincidence but then when I voiced it out, Vikranth's wife just burst out at me.

I am still in shock that she shouted at me as she never tries to talk back no matter how many times I tried to talk to her for a whole year but now she even shouted. I ended up asking Vikranth about that in shock but even he looks speechless.

I sighed shaking my head to push these thoughts away. I should stop thinking about Vikranth and his business and just concentrate on mine.

The escape through a partner failed and it is best to not involve a third person for my issue. I should come over these feelings by myself.

I mean how dumb was I to sign off my shares to that stupid fiance without knowing. If not for my Dad then I don't know what I would have done. I am glad that Dad took my shares away way before all this happened.

After everything that happened earlier this week, I felt I need a break and came here to handle this work even though I asked Jenny to handle it as I took a break for one month regarding my marriage arrangements.

Even Prathap is not picking my phone during these few days and I am unable to know what is going on with his fake contract with the actress. Is he angry because of the words I uttered?

"Don't pressure him, Vikranth! He is very awkward with women and we both know it. And you are letting him get involved in this act with someone he doesn't know." I commented when Vikranth started talking about the scheme with the actress Anny.

"What?" Prathap asked turning towards me.

"What? Why are you reacting like that? Isn't that why you couldn't propose or couldn't get your first love to fall for you?" I asked back and he just stared at me.

"You were never in a relationship and never even talked about that crush of yours. At least I was in some relationship recently even though a failed one. Don't worry! I don't want you to get forced like this." I continued but felt surprised when the next moment he accepted to go along with the scheme.

At that time I didn't think much about it but was I too harsh with the way I uttered those words. But I was worried about him getting involved with all this and not have a chance to have a real relationship.

"Tired? I told you that I can handle this." Jenny asked reaching again after calming down the other staff to not worry about the food.

"I just needed to leave that city for a few days so that everything calms down." I replied smiling and she nodded before we turned to pay attention to the event going on.

"We have a few appointments lined up. You need to choose among them the moment we return tomorrow." She added in a low whisper.

"I know! Let's get involved in as many works as possible. I know I tried to keep the flow a bit low thinking I will be busy with my personal matters but there is no reason to go through that phase anymore. Let's speed up and reach our next goal." She smiled nodding.

****

"I will be sitting here." I said gesturing to the corner table when everyone deciding to join the dance floor.

"What? Come on! You always smash the floor and now going to sit quietly?" Jeeny asked frowning.

"I will join you guys again. Go with them." I said pushing her away with the team before turning to walk towards the empty table.

I sighed sitting down and leaned back closing my eyes. With the music going around, it feels good and I need not concentrate on my thoughts anymore.

I need to meet Prathap when I return tomorrow and apologize to him. This is the time he needs me and I need to be there with him.

"Can I sit here?" I heard a voice and nodded without opening my eyes.

After a few minutes, I heard a sigh which is full of dejection which I am feeling right now, and opened my eyes to see a man sitting down in the same position as me with his eyes closed.

He opened his eyes the next moment to pick the glass from the table and froze when he found me staring at him.

"Oh! Miss Engagement!" he suddenly said before I can look away to ignore the awkward stare.

"What?" I asked him frowning while he shook his head.

"If you forgot me then never mind." He replied waving off and took a sip from his glass while I shook my head before looking away to see where is Jenny.

"Miss Shrishti! Jenny wanted me to ask whether you can join us now." Giri reached me smiling.

"No! Please continue by yourselves. I will be returning to the hotel room soon." I said thinking it is better to return and sleep early as we will be traveling tomorrow.

"So your name is Shrishti. Maybe next time I will use the name instead of the word earlier." The stranger mumbled after Giri walked away.

"Do you know me?" I asked frowning at him.

"You forgot me within a week? My face is that common?" he asked himself with a frown.

"Don't mind me! I guess you really forgot the person with whom you shared about your feelings for the best friend and the canceled engagement." He added and my eyes widened.

"Wait! Your grandmother..." I trailed off realizing I talked about all this just with a stranger.

"Yes! She is in this city hospitalized and I shifted here last week." He said nodding.

"Then why are you here..." I trailed off again looking around.

I mean, I expect him to be at the hospital and not at a club for sure. He smiled as if understanding my question before taking another sip.

"I was staying at the hospital all this time and felt tired. I just needed to come to a place where I can be alone and with a lot of noise around. You know how the hospitals are too silent mainly if it is a VIP ward." He explained and I slowly nodded.

"How is she now?" I asked finally calming down as I was kind of worried about this stranger until I realized who he is.

"She is stable but the condition is still critical. They are trying to make her live for as long possible." He replied calmly as if used to saying those words.

"If you don't mind, what is the problem?" I asked leaning closer as the noise increased a level.

"Heart disease and because of her age, they can't operate." He replied and I feel bad hearing that but I don't know how to console him.

"So, what happened with your one side crush on best friend and other things?" he asked leaning back.

"Let's not talk about that." I replied shaking my head.

"Why not? Maybe I can give perfect advice." He shrugged and I frowned but he continued saying, "Right now I need to think about something to keep my mind away. I don't even have any work to think about as I gave that away for someone else to handle."

I can't believe he is actually guilt tripping me to talk about my life. I shook my head to keep quiet but in the end, I opened my mouth.

Well, I am used to having a talk with someone about my mind and my feelings. That's how I always disturb Prathap and even my Dad. But now everyone has their own problems paused all that.

"I want to accept my friend's marriage completely but she is like a stranger to me that I am unable to do it. I tried a bit before to have a normal conversation but she gives these one-word answers that I had to give up. Now, I even hurt my friend. I don't know what to do and how to help him with some new problem that occurred in his life." I voiced out without actually giving the details.

"I can understand your one-side crush problem." He mumbled nodding while I gave him a disbelief look.

"Really! I have a one-sided crush and more than that with a girl but so much happened and now she is not with me. Anyway, I think about your other friend, just be there for him. Don't do anything or don't say anything and just support him based on your instincts. And regarding your friend's wife, just try more. Try to involve her as much as you can with the activities you are comfortable with." He added and I frowned hearing the last sentence.

"Like don't leave her alone just to spend time with your friends. She will feel sad, right? So, involve her as much as you can and by the time you will get used to her as a part of your friend's life and everything will get better." He explained.

"Are you sure?" I asked frowning.

"It's been a year and you still can't accept his wife through normal meetings. So, push it as much as you can and always try to understand the relationship between those two. Just because something doesn't feel normal to you doesn't mean it's not normal for them." He explained before ordering another glass while I sat there thinking about his words.

He is right! All this time as the relationship between Vikranth and his wife didn't feel normal at all, I didn't even try to accept it completely. How can I decide that? I should open up more and he is important for me and that means his family is also important for me. By the time I accept her, I will definitely not have feelings for him.

Right! If I accept their relationship completely even though it's a bit painful, then I need not torture myself because of these feelings. We can be friends again and I need not involve a third person and then I need to support Prathap with whatever decision he will take. Maybe even help him if he feels lost because he is never in a relationship.

Maybe Ms. Anny is not a bad person and maybe they both are right for each other or not. Why should I decide anything when I can just be a supportive friend?

"You are amazing!" I said staring at him and he smiled shaking his head.

"I am not! As I said, I have some experience with what you are going through." He mumbled.

"What is your story? I have time to lend my ear." I mumbled finally ordering a drink to relax and listen to him.

"But first, what is your name?" I asked staring at him.

"I am Nitish! Nice to meet you, Shrishti." he replied forwarding his hand and I took hold of it before shaking his hand.