Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Chapter 72 : Heartache

"Yes, I did. She even sent me the pictures. It's just as we wanted. The caterers have also reached the venue. And I think Harshitha is already there."

"You called Arun?" He asked.

"No, I texted him. He said no calls otherwise Gargi would know."

Nikhil nodded. After a brief silence Nikhil spoke up again. "I had something on my mind.."

"Hmm,"

"You remember the Sunderaju Brothers we met at Rajat Gowda's wedding reception?"

"The D family?" Sharanya asked.

"Yes," Nikhil's lips formed an amused smile. "In the following week, Darshan had called me and we had a business discussion. We are looking at opening a new office and they're a big name in the relationship estate so we are still collaborating over that. But other than that, he called me last week saying he had an investment opportunity. There is an upcoming commercial building project going-on towards Airport side. One of the investors backed out last minute so he was trying to quickly fill that gap. I have bought ten units and Arun invested for three."

"Oh, that's nice."

"I was wondering if Harshit would want to invest too. There are still two units up for grab. We will go in as a single party with a proper agreement about the investment and the ownership of the units."

Sharanya stiffened. "I don't think he would be interested."

"It's a great opportunity. The building is already halfway ready. By early next year it should be complete. And it's already leased out to ZenX for fifteen years. So there's guaranteed rent once the building is ready. The investment for one unit should be around twenty lakhs and some registration cost."

"I don't think he'd be interested. But maybe you should ask Saahil."

Nikhil said nothing for a few moments. "I was thinking of asking Sachin if your brother said no. But maybe you should at least pitch it to him, I can give you the details."

Sharanya lowered her gaze to her hand purse her fingers were fidgeting with. "He doesn't have that kind of funds right now."

"Oh, okay." He responded, not saying anything further.

"Nikhil,"

"Hmm,"

"The other day, I said I fought with Harshit,"

"Hmm," He encouraged her to go on. This had slipped off his mind. She had said nothing after that.

"It was about the rent."

"Of the house where your family stays?"

"Hmm. The landlord wants to increment by five percent, and the agreement has to be renewed. I wanted Harhsit to start paying the rent. We argued on that."

"It's on your name?' Nikhil asked curiously.

"Yes. I have taken a month's time from the landlord. He's actually asking for too much. Every eleven months he increases the rent by five percent. It's going to be twenty nine plus the maintenance charges which is three thousand per month."

"That's high for a two BHK in that area."

"Exactly." She sighed.

"So, what now? They're going to move out?"

"I have no clue. Harshit said a lot of things to me that day and...I don't know what to do anymore."

"Maybe talking to him would be an option."

"I don't want to."

"What did he say?"

"That they're a baggage to me."