Chapter 5

*Vikranth Pov*

“You asked for me?” I stepped into the study room after a helper mentioned that Dad sent a word through him to meet him here.

“Sit down!” he said gesturing to the chair and I paused hearing those words and the tone he is using but calmly sat down after a brief pause.

He continued to stare at me without saying a word and I frowned before asking, “Is something wrong, Dad?”

“Is it about Prathap and Shrishti going to states for other extra courses after graduation?” I added and he finally sighed before passing a file.

“I have included the plans for the next few months before you can get promoted specifically for managing the hotels. Later you can shift to other departments slowly to have a grasp of everything. And within a few years, I will be promoting you as a director.” I nodded taking the file and didn’t object or add any kind of word hearing that as I will be just following it.

“Do you like Shrishti?” his question came out of nowhere and I nearly dropped the file from my hands but held on to it tightly.

I took a deep breath and then glanced up saying, “Yes!”

“Do you know that she likes you?” I nodded to this and even nodded to his next question which was him asking, “Do you also know that Prathap likes her?”

“What do you plan to do?” he continued and I am already prepared with an answer as I know one day he will ask me that but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.

“She is still young and so I will just help her with her career and slowly approach to marry her.” I replied and he sighed shaking his head.

“I will talk to Prathap also and he will understand.” I added it even though I am not completely sure about it.

“Why do you want to marry her?” he asked leaning back with a frown covering his face.

“I like her company and her innocence and also want to protect her.” He shook his head before standing up from his chair to reach the window behind it.

“Then what will you tell her if she finds out about your Dad and how it impacted her family?” he asked and I couldn’t help but flinch hearing that question as that is my major worry.

“What will you do if Prathap doesn’t understand and it ends up creating trouble for three families?” he just continued and I don’t have an answer to it.

“What will you do if you and she just have a fallout and it again would impact three families?” He asked before turning around to stare at me.

“You can still protect her and care for her by being her friend. But if there is any disturbance then there will be no chance to even look at her. You know better than anyone how I care about those two families and how important they are to me. Do you think I will be sitting calmly knowing well there could be a major disturbance because of you in their lives?” He asked with anger dripping his words and I calmly looked down.

“Bury your feelings and also make sure she also overcome her feelings for you and there should be peace between the three families. Never forget the secret we are hiding from them and they wouldn’t even allow you near them if they find out. Everyone suffered because of your father and they still show hatred towards him. Understand?” I didn’t say anything except to hold the file tighter making the edges hurt my skin.

“Understood!” I mumbled standing up.

“You need to concentrate on company more than any kind of these feelings anyway.” I nodded before leaving the study room not saying another word and continued to walk towards my room.

After standing before the door for a few seconds, I walked in and sat down on the chair near the study table, and calmly checked the file.

He is right! I should just concentrate on this work and help Prathap and Shrishti to follow their dreams too. With that thought, I ignored every other word he uttered and continued to do my work.

****

“Had lunch?” Shrishti asked reaching the table and I nodded while checking the time to see when will Prathap reach.

“I will call him.” She added taking out her phone.

“I am here!” we both glanced up to find him rushing towards us.

He was panting by the time he reached us and sat down while taking away the water glass from my side.

“My Dad made me sit down and gave a lecture about how well you are dealing with the hotel business. Very good, Vikranth!” he added patting my shoulder and leaned back with a tired look.

“I don’t know how you will bear his wrath when he realizes what course you will take after graduating.” Shrishti commented while I opened my briefcase in silence without commenting.

I calmly passed the forms to both of them and a pen before saying, “Fill these up so that I can start your visa process.”

“Good thing you gut us to apply for passport along with you two years back otherwise it would have been a huge trouble.” Prathap mumbled taking his form and started filling it up.

“You need to tell me which college you want to join also.” I stated looking at Shrishti and she frowned looking at the form.

“I am still thinking whether to go or not. What should I do, Vikranth?” I just stared at her while hearing that question and then glanced at Prathap who has a stiff expression covering his face.

For more than a year, after Dad asked me to bury my feelings, I observed Prathap more whenever it comes to Shrishti’s words and behavior towards me.

It is not just a crush from his side and he seems to be serious and even hurt at times just like now.

“I shouldn’t go and stay here?” She continued with a smile covering her face.

“You should go!” I stated turning to stare at Shrishti whose smile disappeared.

“What?” she asked and I nodded before passing another pen to her.

“Are you alright, Vikranth? You are behaving weirdly for the past few months.” Prathap commented while staring at me with a frown from the moment I gave my answer to Shrishti.

“I am busy!” I stated and didn’t say anything else.

“We can see that but you even reduced the already minimum words you utter near us. I will be leaving next year for some time and even Shrishti will when she decides to. You will be all alone at that time.” He pointed out and I nodded without saying anything.

The conversation stopped at that point while I took out my phone to check for emails. Shrishti stayed silent while Prathap started suggesting to her what college she can go for.

“Should I take a course that will help me to be a part of GH?” Shrishti suddenly asked and we both frowned hearing that question.

“You want to be part of GH?” I asked staring at her and she looked down.

“You hate to be around businessmen, Shrishti. I thought even I can get dragged back to GH but you will never do that. And Mohan is like best at always accepting your wishes. So, don’t force yourself.” Prathap added and she sighed tapping the table in silence.

“Why do you think you will join the company?” she finally glanced up hearing that question.

“Dad said we both will be helpful for you if we join the company. Prathap can’t do it as his passion is towards cooking but I am fine with company work and other things. So, I thought…” I stared at her disapprovingly after hearing those words.

“Have I ever said I need your help to anyone of you? Do you think I will allow you guys to go opposite to what you want for my sake?” I asked frowning at her.

“We can see how busy you are already even before becoming the head of the company. I will be helpful and…” I cut her off saying, “I am busy due to company work.”

“Then?” she asked with a confused look.

“I am dating someone and so busy with that.” I explained and the way they both stared at me made me think whether I said that in a rush and will they believe it.

“You are lying!” Prathap stated but I shook my head.

“How can you date anyone? You… you are workaholic.” He continued before adding, “How can you have a girlfriend before me?”

“So, choose the future you want to choose and not for my sake.” I stated looking at Shrishti who is still staring at me in shock.

“I need to go as I have plans for this evening.” Adding that I stood up while packing my briefcase and also included that they need to fill the forms as soon as they can and then send them to me.

I started the engine the moment I got into my car and without wasting any time, I drove away before reaching the company.

After settling in my chair, I closed my eyes feeling tired with all these actions of being distant along with the lies but also hoping Shrishti will let go of her feelings after hearing my words today.

#After Two Years#

“Urgent! Need you at Prathap’s house right now.” Saying that Shrishti cut the call while I was about to attend an important meeting.

I rubbed my forehead before looking at my assistant who is waiting for me to attend this meeting.

“Is everyone already here?” I asked checking the time and he said it will take some time.

“Postpone the meeting for today and pass the notice that the meeting will be held tomorrow at early hours.” Saying that I stood up to leave.

“But sir, they will make an issue about it.” He pointed out and I nodded before walking away without changing my instruction.

When I reached Prathap’s house, I found both Mohan Uncle’s and Pramod Uncle’s car parked right in the front.

Why didn’t they tell me that they both will return today? I thought walking into the house only to hear the loud voice of Pramod Uncle.

“Cooking? You can definitely do it your life long but how could you deceive all of us and go for that course? Do you know what wrong you just committed?” I paused hearing those words.

How did Uncle find that this soon? Did Mohan Uncle also found about Shrishti’s event management course?

“If you had listened and understood my passion, then I wouldn’t have deceived you. I am not saying I am right but you can’t blame me for this. And didn’t I confess the moment I returned?” Prathap pointed out while I reached his side where Shrishti is also standing.

“Do you know about them, Vikranth?” Mohan Uncle asked looking at me.

“He doesn’t!” Prathap and Shrishti replied before I can open my mouth.

“No need to lie both of you. When did both of you ever do anything without him knowing about it?” Leela Aunty asked shaking her head.

“I want to run a restaurant.” Prathap continued and I sighed wishing he would stop saying those words which will just raise the flames right now.

“Restaurant? What do you know about running one? Just by cooking?” Pramod Uncle asked scoffing at him while I glanced at Shrishti who looks scared right now.

“He worked at one all this time, Uncle. He can do it.” She assured him while there is no way to stop Uncle from bursting right now.

“Uncle! He will be joining the company for now.” I stated pausing Uncle and everyone glanced at me.

“What?” Prathap asked in a shocked tone while I glanced at him.

“Work for some time and earn some experience. You need some experience anyway as Uncle is also not wrong at saying just cooking can’t help you to run one. So, first, start with this, and then we will discuss.” I explained and he didn’t say anything to oppose it.

Then I glanced at Uncle who finally seemed to calm down a bit. However, he added saying, “He should start from being a normal employee based on his credentials, and until he proves his worth, there will be no discussion of any kind of restaurant.”

“You do know that I can do anything freely, right?” Prathap pointed out and I turned to give him a pointed look to stop him.

“Stop it!” he finally stopped while Uncle walked away towards the study room.

After that Mohan Uncle stayed with us but didn’t say anything for a few minutes before asking, “Is this what you want?”

“Yes, Dad! I actually went there just for the experience and go through other courses and got attached to this one. I want to start my own business with this.” Shrishti replied.

“And don’t worry about the capital at all. I will be first working in other companies before starting my own.” She added smiling at him and he smiled nodding.

“Okay! The moment you wish to open one, just come to me for capital.” Saying that he caressed her hair before giving me a nod.

Then he walked towards the study leaving us three and Leela Aunty alone. She stared at Prathap in silence without saying anything.

“I am sorry that I lied to you, Mom.” He whispered and she sighed shaking her head.

“I shouldn’t have let you start cooking itself at that young age. Even your Dad will start blaming me now.” She mumbled while I shook my head at her words.

He started for her sake and also Shrishti’s but it became his passion. Who would have thought that?

“Aunty! He is not going to fail.” I assured her to which she smiled at me.

“How long will you protect them? Anyway, let him work hard and help him only if he is capable.” Saying that she reached Shrishti.

“You must be tired, Dear. Why don’t you take rest?” Shrishti shook her head smiling and Aunty too followed the others to the study.

“Uff! If not for Mohan Uncle’s presence he would have slapped me for sure.” Saying that Prathap dropped onto the couch.

I removed my coat before sitting beside him saying, “That’s not why he stopped. He stopped because he knows there will be no difference.”

“Hey! Our Vikranth started to joke around in our absence, Shrishti.” Prathap said slapping my shoulder.

"His Girlfriends must be the reason behind it.” The moment I heard her way of saying those words, I know all these lies about dating didn’t work at all as even Prathap’s smile slipped from his face hearing her jealous tone.

“You both need to work seriously from now on and show me whether you are capable to pursue these dreams. Then I will definitely help you with your own companies establishment.” I promised which changed the atmosphere a bit while worrying about how Dad will react to this news.

However, when I reached home and met him in the dining area, he frowned at me asking, “Why didn’t you conduct the meeting today? I got a notice on your code of conduct.”

“You do know that they will question each and every step of yours the more you reach the destination to be the CEO of GH, right?” he continued and I nodded before explaining the situation.

He nodded without showing any reaction except for his earlier anger towards me for not conducting the meeting today.

“Okay! Help them to get settled with what they want in their lives.” I paused hearing his words as I definitely didn’t expect that.

“You don’t want them to be a part of GH?” I asked staring at him in surprise.

“Their ventures can be part of GH also, right?” he asked back and I sat there stunned while he finished his dinner.

“Did Shrishti let go of her feelings?” he asked standing up and I stayed silent to which he sighed before walking away.

I should have known he wouldn’t wish them to be forced in GH. He just wants to provide for them and it can be done no matter where they work. Now, I feel relieved that he is not upset about it.

I need to start thinking about which position to hire Prathap on his credentials and also find a good event management company for Shrishti to work at.

*Mohan Pov*

“What is it?” I asked Pramod when he finished his call but seems to be more upset than before when he heard about Prathap’s actual course in the states.

“A notice has been sent on Vikranth for his code of conduct for not conducting the meeting and postponing it for tomorrow.” Saying that he threw his phone on the table.

“Are they serious? How can they not give him a single day of breathing space? Do they want to be the CEO of the company this bad? Vikranth is the one coming up with new ideas with a good team to expand the company while these people are just targetting him like this.” He shouted and I can understand his frustration more than anyone.

“This is how politics run when a corporation goes beyond normal success. Don’t react this way which will harm your health.” I said patting his shoulder to calm him down.

“We are seeing this from the day it is passed around that Ashok’s son has joined the company. He was proving himself at every moment but still, they doubt him thinking he is getting promoted because he is CEO’s son.” I added and he nodded sighing.

“That’s why I wanted Prathap to be part of GH so that he will be the trustworthy one on whom Vikranth can depend during such times. But…” he stopped continuing but I can understand his next words.

Even I wanted Shrishti to join but I don’t want to force her and she will not feel good to be in such company with all those politics spreading around.

“For now we need to show support to him and help him.” I mumbled and he nodded calming down.

“I don’t know how to face Ashok with this news though. He helped me with my son’s expenses for studying for two years.” He pointed out and what can I advise him when I am in the same position.

Before I could think of some solution, my phone started ringing and it turns out to be him. I cleared my throat and picked up the call thinking about how to tell him this part.

“I heard from Vikranth that Shrishti wishes to start event management? Don’t worry about anything as Vikranth will manage to find good companies for her to start working for now before starting a company.” He said making me stun.

“Pass the same thing to Pramod. He should be happy that his son has this talent and not be angry at him.” He added and then cut the call when I said okay.

“What is it?” Pramod asked looking at my face and I explained what Ashok just mentioned and he too got stunned.

“Why are they helping us so much? It is just making me feel guilty that I can’t help them much.” He mumbled and I nodded sharing his thoughts.

I hope one day we will be able to help them back somehow and for now, we will try our best to support Vikranth in his career and see him as the CEO one day without any disturbances.