Meet Me At Our Spot

Three

Rohit shifted in his chair albeit a little awkwardly, without looking towards her when Ritika took the seat next to him. In his head, he could picture his mother rebuking him for the improper display of manners.

"I'm sorry, I got late. The shoot went longer than expected,"  she apologised before relaxing a little in her chair, "Where's Anushka?"

"she's freshening up, she'll join us in a while."

"late latif," Rohit instantly squeezed his eyes shut as soon as the words left his mouth.

Why can't he keep his goddammit mouth shut? They haven't even looked at each other and he has already made a snarky remark but his mind always refused to function reasonably around Ritika Sajdeh.

"very hypocritical coming from you, no? Especially when you're the brand ambassador for Hublot and endorse 'always on time' monento," she spoke a little too sweetly.

Virat cleared his throat loudly but ended up wheezing, making both Ritika and Rohit roll their eyes.

"jal lijiye," Ritika forwarded the glass towards him.

"come with me for a second Ritu," Virat got up from his seat and moved towards the kitchen while she followed his suit.

As soon as Ritika and her sickeningly beautiful warm vanilla scent unclouded his head, Rohit finally felt like he could breathe again. He eased lightly in his chair.

He had to stop himself from taking a sniff in the air like a dog when she settled besides him because that's how good her perfume was, he could dissect some notes of gourmanded vanilla and a whiff of caramel and-- he suddenly shook his head, God why was he behaving like a creep?

He gulped the glass full of water and hoped that it would detox his head from her.

...

Ritika sighed dreamily as soon as they stepped in the kitchen. The palak paneer smelled so delicious that her mouth watered in response. She lifted the pot lid slighlty to peek in and wasn't disappointed when she saw the almost cooked dish.

"I know it's hard for you guys to act civil since both of you are kids who don't know how to behave," Virat crossed his arms as he spoke dryly.

"why am I the only one getting lectured when he was the one who started with the unnecessarily comment," Ritika frowned as she crossed her arms too, "you're always biased when it comes to him."

Virst sighed tiredly, it was always the same conversation. Virat and Ritika loved each other to death but their opinions only clashed when it came to Rohit. Virat wasn't even sure in the first place why they hated each other but it surely did make things difficult for him.

He could not gather two of the important people of his life together because they couldn't go a minute without fighting and insulting each other. He had tried solving their conflicts multiple times, tried coaxing them to act nicely with each other but it was useless. The two were very stubborn and Virat had accepted defeat in trying to unite them.
Always finding time to spend with them on different occasions.

In the moment, Virat did regret trying to get them on working together. They hadn't even started fully and yet he was tired just thinking about the exhausting and indigenous journey it was going to be.
He would find a good manager for Rohit as quick as possible and get rid of this situation.

"esa nahi hai," he answered carefully, "I already lectured him and I'll make sure he spends an extra half an hour in the gym tomorrow."

Virat almost snickered when he saw Ritika's eyes gleam at the mention.

"I just wanted to remind you that this is great opportunity and despite your personal differences, you shouldn't let go of it," he gently pulled her in a side hug as he slung his arm around her neck, "you can experience managing a working professional for the time being and look for your next job without having to worry about being jobless. Think of it like an internship, when he does find a permanent manager you wouldn't have to see him again and work on your dream job. "

They stood in silence for a minute before Ritika mumbled lowly," I know, I'll try to be nice and considerate."

"that's all I need," he smiled before kissing her hair.

"but if he irritates me too much I don't take the guarantee of his four front teeth," she huffed grumpily.

And she's back, Virat rolled his eyes mentally before chuckling and pulling her along him.

...

A hand waved in front of him snapping Rohit out of his world.

"Rohit," Anushka cheerfully greeted him as she pulled him in a hug. He laughed as he hugged her back equally warm.

"it's so good to see you," she smiled as she let go of him before the corner of her eyes crinkled in slight concern, "I called you a couple of times but you didn't answer and neither did you reply to my messages. How have you been?"

Rohit averted his eyes as guilt hit him right across his face. His family and friends have been trying to do nothing but look after him but he was stupidly pushing them back.

"I'm fine. I just--didn't want to burden you with my problems unnecessarily, " he mumbled before a yelp escaped his mouth when she pinched his arm harshly.

"I didn't expect when you came in a complementary package with Virat but now you're a part of my family, like my brother and I don't care if you like it or not but I will meddle through, your problems are my concerns as well," she threatened, her eyes in slits.

"why are all the women in Virat's life so dangerous?" he muttered to himself but his heart filled with warmth at her genuine care.

"I'm sorry for doing that but I promise to always reach out to you guys when I need help."

"good," she smiled widely again, "now where are Virat and Ritika?"

"they have gone inside," he pointed towards the kitchen.

"so what have you thought?"

"about what?" he asked feigning innocence.

"about Ritika as your manager dumbo," she rolled her eyes.

"I told you, I'm okay if she agrees," he shrugs, "besides I'm the one with limited options."

"I know you guys don't have a good history but she's really nice and you're really nice so--," she started hesitantly.

"I'll behave," Rohit concluded before she could finish her sentence making Anushka sigh in relief as she nodded.

He would just have to maintain a good distance, not fiddle with her business.

This should be good, he should be good but the problem was her perfume and that even gorgeous face card.

God, help him.

❁❁❁

a/n: chap three! some headstrong resolutions to get along professionally or get along a little too well which might leave Virat and Co in shik shak shok ;-)