Chapter 5

*Shrishti Pov*

I expected the meeting with his Grandma in too many ways while we were in the elevator but what I didn't expect was the room where she was supposed to stay is filled with people like too many people.

Isn't there supposed to be a rule regarding how many people can enter the room at a time? I shook my head to brush off the question as something else is important right now.

All those people are staring at us right now and slowly everyone smiled which made me take a step back but ended up standing closer to Nitish.

"They are my Grandma's friends and neighbors from her village." He whispered and I gave him a nod.

"She is your Grandson's girlfriend?" one of them asked and they slowly parted where I finally saw his Grandma lying on the bed.

"I didn't know they are visiting today." He mumbled while completely ignoring that question and held my hand to walk inside.

"They came when you went outside. They surprised me too." She said with a smile before glancing at me.

"I am his friend." that's what I said before tightening my lips realizing I could have asked about her well-being or anything else but I ended up clarifying things.

"Hello!" she said nodding and I nodded back before standing aside as everyone started moving.

"We will come next week." One of them said waving at her.

"No need to tire yourselves out by traveling like this." She replied and they ignored that started leaving the room one after the other but not before giving me a smile of understanding.

Okay! Maybe I shouldn't have been too reckless to come to the hospital to visit him just because I thought of him when I landed here for this project.

I mean we are not that close but somehow with the words we exchanged, I felt that he can be my good friend.

I guess meeting his Grandma was too much as I actually don't know anything about him except for the words he shared.

"Come here!" Grandma patted the stool and I smiled walking towards her bed hesitatingly before sitting down.

"Let them visit you, Grandma. You decided to stay in this hospital for their sake. So, don't stop them next time." Nitish commented walking towards us and sat on her bed at the corner.

"Okay! Now, introduce your friend to me." She said gesturing me.

"She is Shrishti and she is my friend." He said smiling and she nodded before glancing at me.

"This is the first time I am meeting his friend. How is he as a friend?" she asked staring at my face while I cleared my throat.

First time? Well, what can I say to make her feel better? I can't say I don't know him for sure. I am really poor at this kind of talk for sure.

"He is a friend who has given me a lot of advice and helped me to mend my other relationship with a few important people in my life. He doesn't judge anyone and try to understand them." I replied honestly from whatever interactions we both had until now and felt his gaze on my face along with hers.

"Good good!" she whispered holding my hand.

"Do you stay here?" she asked and I shook my head before explaining that I am here for work.

"You love your work?" she added.

"Yes, Grandma! I kind of went against my family but they support me now." I replied and she glanced at Nitish hearing that.

"Nitish loves his work too but because of me he left everything. He too went against his family but now he is ignoring it." She sighed and I turned to glance at him looking down.

"He is just guilty that he didn't meet me regularly because of his work. But I am his Grandmother and I understand how busy he was. I know he loves me even if we don't meet much. But I don't know how to make him get away from that feeling." I held her hand hearing those words.

"Grandma! She is here to meet you. Don't talk about all those things." He mumbled clearing his throat.

"Don't worry, Grandma! He is doing what he wants to now." I whispered smiling at her and she smiled back.

Then I walked out of the room after promising her to visit again for sure before going back home and she looked happy hearing that.

"Well, I didn't expect her friends to be there." That's what he said when we both stepped into the elevator.

"It's fine! They immediately left and I am glad Grandma didn't misunderstand us like them. She is really sweet." I added smiling and he smiled back.

"She is an amazing person. She is the one who raised me when I was a kid back then but had to shift to another city because of my Dad's work." He explained.

"I am glad that I am spending time with her before it's too late but she misses her Son. My Dad is visiting her once a week but just for a few minutes. He is ignoring the fact that she is not going to stay alive..." he trailed off by fisting his hands.

I opened my mouth and closed it realizing I actually don't know what to say right now. I can't scold his Dad as I don't know the circumstances he is in and I can't say anything to support his Dad too.

So, I calmly held his fisted hand without saying a word and he relaxed his grip by the time we stepped out of the elevator.

"Are you going to stay longer?" he asked when we walked outside the hospital.

"Until this weekend as the wedding is on Sunday." I replied and he nodded before turning to stare at me.

"We can meet on Monday if you are staying here after the wedding as you will be busy this week." He offered and I slowly nodded.

"Wait! Can we exchange phone numbers? To not have another day like today with me waiting here and not knowing whether I will be able to meet you or not." I continued to talk while giving out the reasons to have his number so that he will not misunderstand me but he just smiled nodding.

We both realized that we are still holding hands and let go of them before sharing our numbers and I walked away with a smile.

****

'Preparation is done? Tomorrow is the wedding, right?' I glanced at the message I just received in the midst of rushing towards the airport.

Right! After that day we continued to message each other with him being the first one to reach out by wishing me a good night that day.

'I am on the way to the airport. I am going back home.' I replied while waiting for the cab.

However, he called me the next minute and I picked it up asking, "What is it?"

"Why are you going back? Tomorrow is the wedding, right?" he asked in a confused tone.

"I totally forgot that today is my friend's important day as he is extending his business and there is a ceremony." I explained.

"Your crush?" he asked after a pause.

"No! My other friend and I never missed their special occasion but I don't know how I forgot. I would have missed it but my assistant assured me that she will manage everything." I replied finally getting a cab.

"How can you leave your work like this?" he asked and I frowned hearing those words.

"Don't worry! My assistant is really capable and I already finished with the arrangements and will be available for her to contact me." I explained.

"We thought of meeting on Monday." His next words confused me a bit.

We decided to but it was just general and there was no specific arrangement too. So, it's fine if we don't meet also, right?

"I know! But I need to attend my friend's occasion which is important for me. Like I said, I never missed any of them and I need to be there for him." I explained.

I never missed any except for Vikranth's wedding. Don't think about it! I took a deep breath to push that thought away.

I mean, after crying so much that day, I even attended the reception without missing it. So, why wouldn't I try to go to Prathap's restaurant opening tonight.

"Grandma has something to gift you. I will reach the airport and let's meet there." His words broke my thoughts.

"That's really sweet of her. You need not travel to the airport. Hospital is on the way we are going. I will be there within ten minutes. Can you come downstairs?" I requested him after checking whether it will be enough for me to catch my flight on time.

"Sure!" saying that he cut the call while I asked the driver to stop near the hospital on the way.

I found him waiting near the entrance and I immediately opened the door to step out of the cab smiling.

"I am sorry that I will be unable to meet her. But I will surely meet her when I visit this place." I assured him and he nodded before passing the shopping bag without saying anything.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked staring at his face.

"No! You promised her that you will meet her before leaving." He replied and I slowly nodded.

"Anyway, have a safe flight." Saying that he stepped back and I had to get back into the car not knowing what to say after seeing this behavior.

I know I promised but this was a sudden decision and I was so busy that I forgot about the promise. And it's not like I will not come back here again after returning.

I sighed holding the bag he passed before asking the driver to start driving and glanced outside to stare at his retreating figure.

****

I clapped hard when Prathap gave his speech but I think I enjoyed Ms. Anny's words as they were funny.

I think I will skip my meals for tomorrow as I couldn't stop eating whatever dishes they are serving. I glanced at Vikranth who is silent all this time and then I remember the incident from yesterday.

"I need to talk to you about something, Vikranth. It's regarding the bidding for the new project that's under my Dad." I whispered leaning towards him and he nodded before standing up.

"What is it?" Prathap asked looking at me when I stood up.

"Last time I told you about a bidder, right? Who tried to talk to me because of my connection. I didn't inform Vikranth and I met him again yesterday. I am going to tell Vikranth. It's better if no one hears it. So, we are going there." I explained and he nodded before I followed Vikranth to the corner of the hall.

I calmly explained the incident from last time and also about my reply on how they need to contact Vikranth.

"I thought I wouldn't meet him again but yesterday, it was mehendi ceremony and he approached me again with a few new members. He started talking about how Dad's hard work is being taken advantage of and how ill you are treating him." I finished explaining while he frowned.

"What do you think?" he asked folding his arms.

"Of course, he is sporting lies and we all know that." I replied shaking my head.

"They why are we having this discussion? This doesn't concern you at all." he asked staring at me.

"Vikranth! You are still my friend and I don't know whether you forgive me or not for my behavior from that day regarding Anny and your wife but that doesn't stop me from worrying about you. I will do that until my last breath and I will do that for both of you. All I am saying is that guy is going around and talking like that but if the word spreads then it will harm you. We need not care about other's decisions but we can't completely ignore them. It is better to take a step and do something about it. I already shut him up but you need to take any action against him." I replied.

"And I am saying this as your friend. Forget everything I said if I am disturbing you." I added holding my clutch tightly feeling hurt by his earlier words.

"Wait! I didn't mean it like that. I was just angry that you are getting disturbed by these people and I just want you to turn a blind eye. You started your business to be away from GH related work and right now they are involving you which I don't like." He explained stopped me from walking away.

"I can take care of myself and you need to look after yourself." I said sighing and all the hurt I was feeling just passed away hearing his words.

"Okay! I will handle it." He said nodding and I smiled hearing that.

"I will go home then. I am tired today with all the traveling." I said glancing at the watch.

"I will drop you." He offered but I shook my head.

"You are not alone here and your wife must be wishing to spend time with her friend." I pointed out while he gave me a surprised look.

"What? Was I that insensitive last year?" I asked shaking my head while he turned to gesture Prathap and then at his wife.

She walked towards us with a blank expression as usual before asking, "What is it?"

"Do you want to stay longer?" he asked looking at her.

"No! I am tired!" she replied after glancing at me.

"Even she is leaving right now. Let's drop her on the way." He suggested and she nodded before turning around and found both Prathap and Anny missing from the table.

"I will call him and let him know. I will go and get the car from the parking." Saying that he walked away leaving both of us alone.

We both stared at each other before walking towards the stairs to climb down and reach the entrance.

"I like your attire." I whispered when we stood near the entrance waiting for Vikranth.

"Thank you! Your Sari looks pretty and comfortable. What cloth is this?" this is the first time I heard her saying so many words to me so I ended up staring at her in surprise.

Seeing my expression she calmly turned away but I immediately explained that I didn't buy it and it was a gift from an elder.

"I feel comfortable wearing this too. I am glad I had a matching blouse otherwise I would have wasted time in searching for another attire." I explained and she nodded staring at the cloth.

"You have an interest in cloth types? Here! You may understand the type after touching it." I added forwarding the loose end of the Sari and she nodded holding it.

"Ah! This is really a costly fabric and it's handmade completely." She whispered releasing it.

"Really?" I asked staring at her and she nodded.

"I need to return something good then." I mumbled.

"If she is old, then you can buy some woolen item as it is cold now." She offered and I grinned.

"Thank you! That's a good idea. I will search for one soon." I nodded and she nodded back.

And I finally see a smile on her face. She is beautiful for sure. I mean Anny is beautiful but it's more like a sexy kind. While Vikranth's wife is this pureness that will attract you. Is that why he married her?

I can see him glancing at her in between sometimes like today and also the day when we went to the movie theatre.

I sighed realizing they both seem to be comfortable with each other and just because they are the type who doesn't show their feelings outside then I can't think that they both are not compatible.

I need to let go! I definitely need to let go of all this as soon as possible. I don't want to lose my friendship with Vikranth and she seems to be a nice person and I will end up gaining another friend.

"Vikranth! Can you increase the AC speed? I am sweating a bit." I said leaning forward from the back seat I am sitting in while they both are sitting in the front.

"Kanika feels cold easily. I will turn off the AC and you can roll down the window on your side." I stared at Vikranth's side in shock hearing those words.

Was I a bit hurt? Maybe as I was so used to him generally agreeing to my words but then I should say I am surprised more than hurt.

So, they really are a couple. This is the third time I am able to feel that and I cleared my throat before rolling down the window.

What more surprising is, he is not putting a show for her sake as she is sleeping right now. She must be tired like she said and drifted off into sleep five minutes after we left the restaurant.

"How is she able to sleep without moving at all?" I asked seeing her sleeping form.

"She said she is used to sleeping in moving vehicles." He replied and I smiled hearing that while ignoring the pain.

Until now he used to know each and every detail of just Prathap and I but now seems like I need to hurry up in adapting to the fact that she is his family while I am just his friend.

"She looks cute! Doesn't she?" I asked trying to ignore the earlier feelings.

"I don't know!" he replied clearing his throat.

"Don't be shy, Vikranth! She really looks cute." I said leaning forward smiling while he glared at me.

I laughed shaking my head thinking I am happy right now than last year where I tried to live in my own world of hurting myself while thinking of something that will never happen.

I want to progress more and be closer to them again and also accept everything completely while letting go of my first crush without leaving a bit of it behind in my heart.