Joshi residence

Pia was making the soup for Harish being watched over by Naina who looked worried.

Pia noticed it and spoke "Tsk, relax Naina! Your Harish bro is fine. He was just stressed with the travel and jet lag. So, he was famished. Nothing else, hm...?"

Naina looked at her and gave an efforted smile nodding her head.

Harish room

Pia took the soup in his room and put the bowl on the coffee table.

She searched for him who was missing from his own room.

She called for him, but didn't get any answer.

Then she saw a silhouette in the balcony of the room puffing the toxic air.

She screwed her eyebrows and went near him taking the puffer, throwing it away.

Harish glared at her but she was standing still in front of him.

He moved from her and went to slump on his bed.

She followed him and spoke

"Here, have your soup. You didn't eat anything from morning. Don't want to get weak again, hm...?"

Harish didn't respond. He scrolled through his phone ignoring her.

She pursed her lips and went with the soup bowl near him.

She bought the spoon in front of his face.

He got irritated and jerked her hand resulting in the soup to fall on the floor.

She low screamed and looked at him in disbelief. He glared at her and went back to his phone.

"Why did you do that? I made it especially for you! If you didn't like it, you should have told me! why did you waste it like this, huh?!" Pia was not understanding his attitude.

He didn't even flinch at her words.

Pia shaked her head and moved away from there.

"Don't ever enter my room without my permission, Ms. Prathibha. Again..." Harish gave a warning look to her.

Pia was astonished at his words and before she could speak anything.

He marched at her and made her move out of his room, banging the door on her face.

She didn't understand his behaviour.

She didn't want to stay there a minute after the insult and moved out of the house angrily.

Nithya smirked at the scene enjoying the success of her little plan.

Flashback few minutes back

Harish was trying to remember on how he ended up in the hospital again.

He grabbed his head and was trying to recall the events. When he heard a message notification on his phone.

What he saw on his phone enraged him to the core. His knuckles became white from pressing the phone tightly. He gritted his teeth and threw the phone aside.

He took his vape and went towards the balcony to relax in his venomous air.

End of flashback.

Nithya remembered the conversation that had taken place in Harshvardhan Joshi's office.

How he and his son were talking of making the love birds bind in an everlasting bond.

Not on her watch.

So, she did what a good step mother would do to her step son.

She gave a satisfied smile and went to continue her daily chores.

Barve Residence

Radhika was instructing the maid to serve the dinner on the dining table. When she heard some familiar voices from the living room.

She went to see Pia talking with her brother on a very serious matter.

"Bro, please tell me! what is wrong with Shri?!"

Prakash was silent all the while trying to have a glass of water to dodge his sister's frequent questioning.

Pia had apparently gone to her brother's office asking him the reason for the sudden health issue of her Shri.

She was getting restless ever since she saw her Shri so helpless.

Prakash told her some random excuses which she was not believing. As she knew that her brother was not clearing her doubts but rather dodging her questions with some or the other reasons.

To escape her tantrums, he left the office to atleast have his sister forget the issue.

But she was adamant.

"Pia! Leave it! Why are so adamant?!" Prakash low screamed at her. Hearing his raise in voice, Radhika came rushing to the siblings.

"Pia!"

Pia didn't stray away her eyes from her brother who just avoided her stance.

Pia gritted her teeth and spoke "Fine! I will find it my way!"

Prakash saw his sister stride away from the living room to her room.

Radhika grabbed her son's shoulder to calm him.

"Shri had another fit. I didn't want her to know that the reason was his drug abuse. Mom, what am I supposed to do?! Tell her the truth! She would be devastated, mom! I can't see her sad. I am already seeing my bestie suffer for so long. I don't want Pia to..." Prakash ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

Radhika tried to calm her son and spoke "We can't change the way Harish is living his life just like that. But we can still save his Pia,"

Prakash looked at her with hope and confusion.

Radhika nodded her head and made Prakash realise the meaning of her words.

Prakash nodded understanding her context.

"I will look into it, Mom. Me and Dad will start with the search asap. And within 6 months, our Pia will be free from her trouble. I promise you that, Mom," Prakash was taken in a tight hug by his mother who felt proud of her son's decision to save their Pia.

Joshi Residence

Nithya was overjoyed with the news that she had received regarding Pia.

She was relaxed that now she had to only concentrate on her first and foremost target.

In the bowling alley of the town club

Lucky had scored another clean drive with his continuous shot.

His friend Rajiv understood his frustration and wanted him to relax. So, they went to their usual place in the club to relax.

Lucky came to rest beside Rajiv and drank the juice from his bottle.

"Isn't it time for you to tell her exactly how you feel about her? or are you waiting for her to understand your dilemma, hm...?" Rajiv looked upon Lucky who was just staring at blank space.

Lucky shaked his head and spoke "No, but I would confess in two days,"

Lucky got up and took his bag to leave for the day saying "And she will say 'yes'"

Rajiv smirked at his friend's confidence.

Pia's room

Pia was continuously calling her lab friend to ask for his help.

"Ugh! Why is he not picking the call?" Pia looked at the wall clock and got frustrated.

"Its lunch time. I will call after 4. I need to find the reason," Pia bit her lower lip thinking on how to find the reason behind her Shri's condition.

She took her bag and phone walking out of her room.

She came to the living room to find Nithya Joshi chatting with her mom.

She was surprised as Nithya would never come out of her mansion even if it was on fire. How come she landed in her house...her house...?

Nithya saw Pia and gave her best smile which puzzled Pia more. She wanted to make a run for it but was too late.

"Prathibha! So nice to see you, dear! How are you?" Prathibha zoned out hearing her sweet voice. And shocked to get a hug from her widening her eyeballs. Nithya blinked her eyes at Pia who screwed her face to her expression.

Radhika too was astonished and jolted Pia out of her shock.

"Kaki, I am fine and... you saw me today in Joshi mansion, then..." Pia looked at her mom for answers.

"Oh, were you there?! I didn't notice. I was busy caring for my beloved family. Maybe that's why I missed you," Nithya gave a subtle reply with a hint of pun in it.

Radhika understood her harsh words towards her daughter and before she could insult her more. She told Pia to continue her work.

Taking the hint, Pia bid bye to her Kaki and went to do her investigation.

After Pia left, Radhika told the maid to make some refreshments for the guest.

Radhika asked Nithya for her sudden visit.

Nithya took out some photos from her Chanel bag and gave it her.

Radhika looked at the photos and gave a puzzle look to her.

Nithya smiled and spoke "I heard you were looking for a prospectus groom for our Prathibha. Thought I could help you. Since we are such good friends,"

Radhika raised her eyebrows at her 'friends' remark. Nevertheless, she gave a look at all the photos and spoke "Nithya, I will show them to Hemantji and let him decide, hm...?"

Nithya shrugged her shoulders and got up speaking "Your wish. But mind you, they all are from renowned families. Each perfect for our Prathibha. Good looking, smart and of course filthy rich. What else do you need in a prospectus groom, hm...?"

Radhika nodded her head with a forced smile and promised her that she will consider her proposal after discussing with her family.

Nithya titled her head and bid her bye leaving the woman perplexed at her new attitude.

Radhika jolted her head to come out of her trance. She went to continue her design work in her study. 

💞💞💞💞💞
Hello my dear Readers

Hope you are liking the story so far❤️

Do Support me with your precious comments ❤️

Lots of love 💖

Take care 💖

If you liked the chapter, kindly click the star ⭐ button below to show your support ❤️