Chapter 3

*Nitish Pov*

I stared at the woman shaking my hand with a curious look as she is staring me with an expectant look like ready to listen to whatever I am going to tell her and not just hear it.

"Don't be so excited about my story. It is boring compared to yours." I stated releasing her hand.

"My story?" she asked leaning back.

"Yes! A long last one-sided love story where her love is out of reach as he is a married man now. While you are trying to come over those feelings along with trying to make up to your mistakes with your other best friend." I explained and she glared at me before sighing.

"Right! Let me be the judge of your story. Don't lie!" she warned and I slowly nodded while thinking about what to tell her.

Did I ever talk to anyone about my life? I don't remember doing that and the funny thing is I didn't express my thoughts even to my best friends.

Talking to my parents is out of the question and then I did a mistake by expressing my wish near my Grandmother once which is causing huge trouble right now.

"My family always has a set of ways with which they go through each moment of their lives. I didn't want that and rebelled against it and ended up choosing a different career than they expected me to." I started and she slowly nodded with a keen expression making me smile.

"I worked hard without wasting a moment and reached the success I wished for. So, everything was fine with my career but then..." I trailed off thinking whether I can tell her this or not.

"You can be ambiguous with your words. It's not like I can understand without knowing about what career you have chosen or about your family." She pointed out smiling.

"So, I had a crush on my classmate during university time and even confessed to her after finishing our studies. She asked for time and I was fine with it as I was busy with establishing my career. Finally, when I got settled, she said yes and we became a couple." I said sighing.

"Wow! So, a successful love story, unlike mine." She said nodding.

"However, she left me to pursue her career far away and I thought it will be just a small break and we will continue with our long-distance relationship but she felt it will be hard for us and broke up. It's been two years and we still talk to each other but just as friends." I explained shrugging and she patted my hand nodding.

"I am sorry! Maybe she is missing you too. Maybe she will return and you both can be together again." She said with an encouraging smile.

"That's not the problem right now. I told my grandmother about her one time and now she is wishing to meet her. If I tell her that I broke up with her then she would wish for me to get arranged with someone and marry." I sighed leaning back.

"Oh!" that's all she whispered before clearing her throat and turned her head to stare at the people in the club.

I continued to stare at her but she continued to turn her face away from my profile. I smiled taking a sip from the glass I have been drinking.

Generally, I come here sometimes to just have a glass and listen to some of the noise after Grandma falls asleep before going back to the silent hospital room.

I didn't expect to meet her. Actually, I didn't expect to remember in the first place. But that day I was in hell with the fact that I handed over my business to my friends before deciding to come to this city.

That was my hard work but if I keep on working then I wouldn't be able to take care of Grandma. I am not good at multitasking and always forget my surroundings when I work.

I didn't want to take a chance and decided to take a break from work. The memories I can create with her right now are more important than my work.

I can go back to my work anytime but Grandma will not always be with me. Anyway, I am still able to correspond with them so that they can contact me when there is a need.

"Will you continue to stare at those people? Don't you have anything to say?" I finally asked as a few minutes passed but she didn't say anything.

She slowly turned her head saying, "I am sorry! I was never really at the end of listening as none of my family or friends share much with me. So, right now I was thinking about what to say."

I chuckled hearing those words before shaking my head. I never thought I will laugh like this during the circumstances that are around me.

"I just want to say that if she is the one for you then she will return otherwise she is just not the one. And I am sure your Grandmother will not be upset if you are honest with her. I don't think she will force you or something. Just assure her that anytime you will decide on your life partner, you will make sure to think of someone who will make you happy." After saying those words she stared at me as if expecting me to say something.

"Thank you!" I whispered and she smiled nodding.

"So, even your best friend is not the one for you." I added and her smile slipped a bit but she nodded at the end.

"You are good at lending your ear. Even if your friends don't share anything thinking you are not capable of it, just force them." I continued but I am just preaching to her something which I don't follow.

I lend my ear of course but I don't ask for them to listen. Maybe I need to start changing it soon as I feel good after talking to her.

If I feel good by just talking to a stranger then wouldn't it be much better to talk to my friends? I smiled at that thought staring at her.

"Will you go sightseeing tomorrow with your colleagues? There are quite a few tourist attractions here." I said remembering the brochures I saw but never gone to any of those places.

"No! I will be returning tomorrow. My work is done and has some other things to do back at home." She replied and I nodded at her answer.

"I need to go back to the hospital." I mumbled checking the time that it's been more than half n hour since I left the hospital.

"Sure! I will also return to my hotel." She said standing up and we both walked out of the place in silence.

I need to walk just a few minutes to reach the hospital after crossing the road while she needs to take a cab back to her place.

"Wait!" she suddenly whispered in the middle of calling for a cab and rushing to the right side of the club in hurry steps to reach a shop.

She returned within a few minutes holding a grocery bag and shifted it towards me saying, "I don't know whether she can have fruits but I felt it could be useful for you too."

"Thank you!" I mumbled taking it and she smiled before waving for the cab which stopped near us.

"Take care!" saying that she sat inside and the cab drove away while I stared at it until it is out of my sight.

After reaching the hospital, I arranged the fruits on the table after sending the nurse away and reached for the extra bed to sleep on and stared at the ceiling.

Every day was kind of the same these past few days but today it was kind of different and kind of feel-good different but tomorrow it will be the same. My hands are itching to call my friend and ask about the company but it is better to keep myself away and not disturb them.

"You are smiling, Nitish!" I turned towards Grandma who has her eyes opened.

"Grandma! Did I disturb you?" I asked staring at her.

"No! I woke up just now to drink some water." She replied smiling and I immediately sat up to walk towards her and adjusted the bed.

She took a few sips with the help of mine before sighing and whispered, "Did something happen? Were you talking to her?"

"No! I was not talking to her." I replied and she nodded before I adjusted the bed and she drifted off into sleep.

I need to tell her soon about Lisa otherwise she will continue to think about her. Later, I will tell her later because somehow at the corner of my heart I didn't lose the hope that she will return to India for my sake.

*Shrishti Pov*

Apologize to Anny, Prathap, and try to get closer to Vikranth's wife! I continued to chant these things in my mind while opening the contacts list and felt Prathap is not going to pick up my call again.

I sighed before calling Vikranth and of course, he will pick up the call. He is never the one to ignore any of our calls no matter what.

"Vikranth! Can we meet up at Prathap's restaurant? Even bring your wife and also send me Ms. Anny's number. Clear your schedule until evening at least." Rushing those words I waited for his response.

"What?" that's all he said and I had to repeat the words again after which he didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Fine! I will message you her number." Saying that he cut the call and I sighed in relief.

I just checked the articles about Anny and found Prathap's restaurant on the view of a few reporters. Somehow I realized, if not for their plan then maybe Prathap's business would have got troubled and in turn, Pramod Uncle would have hurt him.

This will help the business to gather everyone there and if it's a public place then it will not be too awkward. I smiled while thanking Nitish for this suggestion and immediately called Anny's number.

"Who is this?" I cleared my throat hearing her voice.

Oh god! I thought her to be some calculating woman who trapped Prathap for some time and now I don't know what to tell her.

"I am Shrishti! Uhmm... come to Prathap's restaurant for lunch." I said before waiting for her response but she didn't say anything for a minute or two.

"I have a flight to catch in the evening." She replied and I sighed hearing that.

"Please! I need to talk to you. Even Vikranth will be there with your friend." I requested and she finally accepted before we both cut the call.

After getting ready, I rushed to the restaurant and walked inside finding Deepak who smiled looking at me.

I smiled back waving before reaching the cabin and open the door like usual but finding Prathap and Anny talking to each other smiling felt a bit awkward to see as I opened the door without knocking and it is kind of rude on my part.

"Vikranth will be here soon. Let's have our lunch before going out." I said smiling at his question and they calmly followed me out.

"I have so many reasons for that but let's wait for others." I mumbled at Prathap's question of choosing this restaurant to meet before checking the menu.

I waited until Vikranth sit down and they all stared at me while I took a deep breath thinking about the words I will utter right now which are very important.

"So, I am sorry about my words that day towards you." I said looking at Anny before glancing at Vikranth's wife.

"I was thinking only as a friend and said some harsh words and I hope you can forget that." I added smiling at them.

"And I am sorry about the words I told you too." I said glancing at Prathap.

"I also chose this place so that you can do some business out of us. I heard from Deepak that the customers are still not increasing after last week's incident." I explained to Prathap's question from earlier.

I sat quietly thinking whether the words I uttered right now are enough or not while Prathap and Vikranth started discussing opening the first floor for the restaurant and the delay that happened because of the scandal.

And the topic shifted to how Anny and Prathap need to handle the situation and her mentioning regarding coming up to a topic where they both are at the same wavelengths near the media.

"How should we exchange those topics?" Prathap asked frowning and I frowned back hearing that question.

"What is there in that? Just use messages. You both have each other contacts, right?" I asked looking at them and their eyes just widened and they actually shook their heads in negative.

"Exchange the numbers right now. How will you guys manage if there is an emergency? One year is not a short amount of time that will pass if you blink." I added thinking what were they doing this whole week.

I didn't let them say anything else or even order until they exchange their numbers. No matter what they both are kind of engaged and need a way to communicate with each other.

They are not strangers to not even have numbers. I mean Nitish and I are strangers and that's why we never exchanged our numbers. Why am I thinking about him? I shook my head before we ordered the lunch after they followed my advice.

"You told me to clear my schedule until evening. Why is that?" Vikranth asked looking at me.

"We are going to watch a movie after this. I will be leaving next week for another city regarding a new event and as Anny will be leaving today itself, I thought of having this get together." I explained the plan I just made looking at him before glancing at Anny and her friend.

"Are you both fine with joining us for the movie watch?" I asked to make sure I will not force them but I hope she will not reject it like in the past.

Whenever we three decide to go somewhere, she never joined us even when I asked her to but now as her friend Anny is there, there is a chance of her joining us.

She needs to come with us otherwise how can I spend time with her and become close to her?

"Sure!" Anny replied for both of them and I thanked God that Anny turned out to be her friend which will help us to get closer.

So, we all are really going to hangout. The five of us and there is a married couple and also a fake couple and me alone. Wait! I am not alone as the fake couple can be with me.

"I am glad you both are really not a couple otherwise I would be third-wheeling for both couples." I smiled feeling relieved and immediately felt my legs got stepped on by these friends of mine.

"Ah! Why did you both step on my legs?" I asked looking at them and Vikranth warned me to not talk about the fake couple thing and I realized everyone would have got into trouble if someone just heard my words and so I calmly apologized. I need to be careful with my words and not say something like this again.

Somehow when we reached the mall that belongs to GH, we three best friends ended up talking about business and Vikranth's personal investment in both Prathap's and mine.

These are the moments I cherish where we three just talk casually regarding both normal things and also business-related.

I felt if we had got involved in GH together we would have been closer in the past but right now it feels right as we are still close.

Okay! We need to stop talking about business right now as I remember my main motive to bring everyone here. We should watch the movie and then enjoy the time.

I went to buy tickets and we didn't have a choice with the movie as there is only one available right now for the time we reached the place.

Prathap somehow is walking with Anny while Vikranth is standing beside me and asked me about the event I need to arrange next week.

I smiled before explaining the reception we need to arrange and that too at the customer's house. At least they have a huge garden otherwise the creation would have got limited.

When we reached inside, I glanced at the seats and found Anny and Prathap sitting in the corner and Vikranth followed him.

I glanced at his wife who just stood beside me without going to the seat beside him. I stared at her and she stared back at me.

"Go!" I whispered remembering clearly that the place beside him is hers and not mine.

If we three had come here as friends then it's fine to sit beside him but right now with his wife present I can't do that.

She stared at me with a surprised look before walking in and sat beside him while I sat beside her.

"You can keep your hand here if you want." I whispered gesturing the handle between us and she again stared at me before nodding.

Why is she surprised? I thought frowning before shrugging away and stared at the screen as the movie started playing.

"What movie did you watch recently?" I asked clearing my throat.

"It's been more than a year since I watched a movie in a theatre. I watched Anitha's show and a few movies where she worked in small roles but that was on television." She replied after a few seconds as I continued to wait for her answer.

What? I stared at her in shock before glancing at Vikranth. Okay! He is my family and I need to defend him a bit so that she will not feel bad about this.

"They both don't like watching movies or coming to a theatre. I am sure he will get adjusted soon. Uhmm... you just force him or something." I mumbled and she smiled still staring at the screen.

After that, she didn't say anything and I felt lost on what else to talk about. And we ended up not conversing throughout the movie.

I sighed feeling this is a failure. It is more than awkward for sure. It's okay! This is just the first time and I am sure I will get more chances.