A Tale Of Schemes... #1,#2,#3

Chapter 20

*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 holding my bag in silence.

After Prathap returned, I opened my mouth saying, "I am getting engaged this weekend and I know I should have informed you all but it was decided at the last minute."

"Last minute? Uncle said this proposal was brought to you a few months back." Vikranth stated folding his hands.

"Yes! But I was not thinking about engagement and all but now it is happening." I cleared my throat still trying to calm my heart regarding this marriage.

It is a bit scary for me right now but I am trying to set my mind. I don't see a problem with it except for my mindset.

"I heard it is Nitish." Anny mumbled frowning at me and I frowned back.

"You know him? Right! He is handling an agency and you could have met him some time." I nodded to myself.

"Listen to me carefully, Shrishti! Do you know all the rumors that were brought on Anitha during the past year were because of this NK agency? When Vikranth and she stepped forward to fight them, they stopped this nonsense." Prathap suddenly uttered after a few minutes of silence.

"What?" I asked sitting straight after hearing those words.

I remember Nitish saying that GH damaged his business but I thought it was a common thing that happens between rivals but this...

"I know Uncle brought this proposal as related to business but you need not follow this idea. Uncle will never force you." Prathap continued.

"Wait!" I mumbled stopping him and repeated his words.

"All this happened to Anny during the past year?" I asked looking at her and she nodded still not saying a word.

"Then it is not Nitish fault at all. He left his business to take care of his grandmother for a year and I know him during that time. He didn't know anything related to the NK agency at that time. When he returned after she passed away, you already took action against NK." I explained looking at Vikranth understanding his words the last time we talked to each other.

He must have been worried thinking about this while I got mad at him. I smiled at him normally after understanding his reason.

"His reason behind accepting this marriage could be..." I cut off Prathap saying, "He already told me the reason but his actual reason is to get his father to stop pressuring him. Trust me! I know him and he is not the bad guy. He loves his grandma and he cares for people around him and he is a good person."

"He..." Anny started but Kanika placed her hand over hers saying, "You like him?"

"Yes!" I replied after a moment of getting startled hearing that sudden question.