Love or Game (Complete✅)

Chapter 43 - "Inside out..."

As I enter Soha and Arya's house lawn, Arya comes out with a beaming smile.

"Hi, witch...you are late. Still, I can forgive you but I can't say this about buddy. Look at him. He is fuming like a volcano. Since the morning he has asked about you at least hundred times. Even his girlfriend has failed to cajole him....ha...ha..."

With a guffaw, he encircles me in a bear hug. I reciprocate with the same affection. This man is as clear as crystal. I never feel discomfort around him, even if he touches me without any hesitance. We approach the garden table. However, I am constantly feeling someone's gaze on me. I look back but can't see anyone. Shrugging off the thought I near the table and sit on a chair. Maan was sitting on Soha's lap. Seeing me, he stretches his tiny hands and almost jumps on my lap. My baby...even I was missing this heavenly touch. He kisses my cheeks and I rub my nose to his. This is our way to say hello. In Greenland, Eskimos greet each other in this way. Once I told a story of Eskimos to Maan and since then he picks this habit to greet me. I cup his face and ask,

"But your buddy said you are angry with me."

I wink at Soha. Aryamaan slouches in a chair with a helpless face. Maan nods in positive and utters with his adorable babyish voice,

"I waz angli... (I was angry)"

I look at Aryamaan and he shrugs as he wants to say, 'I told you.'

"Awww....but you just kissed me....that means angal (anger)...gone...gone?"

I try to mimic his accent. He suddenly hugs me tightly and mouths,

"Mummum...Manu miz you... (Mummum..Manu miss you)

I engulf his tiny frame into my chest. His words bring tears to my eyes. He is my world, my everything....I can't live without my Sunshine. I reply with equal love,

"Even I missed you my Honeybunch. I am sooooo soolly..Okay, today we all are going somewhere. Then we will have.....Arroz con leche (Rice pudding)"

I tickle him and he starts to giggle...

"Tui...tui...."

He giggles out and pokes my ribs. I burst into laughter. Arya and Soha also join us. Suddenly I again feel the uncanny stare on us. I immediately flip to test my doubt but nothing catches my eyes. Arya notices my restlessness.

"What happened, Nandini? Anything wrong?"

He sounds sceptic. I can't push him into worry. I hardly bring a smile on my face and wobble in denial.

"Nothing....I felt someone called me."

I say casually and it brings back his teasing mode.

"Call from the past....don't tell me you watched those horror movies throughout the night...where the heroin has been chased by some hook-man and then gets slain brutally...Are you imagining yourself in that position? No way, witch. You are neither so beautiful nor so lonely...ha....ha...this movie won't pull the crowd."

He lolls back in a bout of laughter. Soha and I chide,

"Shut up Arya...."

I add,

"It's much better than your frilly frock. Even Manu refused to wear it...ha...ha..."

He rolls his eyes at Soha and we high five with each other. Finally, we have a weapon for this tease. The morning goes nice and I decide to go to the Jewellery exhibition from here only. Calida already sent me the address. It's La Catadral. I ask Arya and Soha if they can come. Soha tells that she has an OT booking. Eventually, it is decided that I, Arya and Maan will go to the exhibition and after that, I and Maan will go to Sánchez Mansion.