Love or Game (Complete✅)

Chapter 45 - "It sets in my heart..."

We are dining in a posh Spanish restaurant. Though I would have preferred to hunt for any Indian eatery Maan was too hungry for any experiment and I think despite having my blood he lacks the Punjabi taste. No worries, I will make him like me when we will be in India. I inwardly chuckle at the thought but somehow the smile reflects in my eyes. Nandini arches her brow and sarcastically mouths while supping on her soup.

"Don't think that I came over here because of any fear. I just didn't want to create any scene. But in future don't try to impose any of your idea and opinion on me. I am not bound to obey them."

Her taunt was supposed to provoke me for any retort, instead, I feel amused. Since we left the jewellery exhibition, Maan hasn't left my lap for a second. Even now, he is enjoying his Arroz con leche sitting on my lap. Perhaps that is the reason for Nandini's pique.

"Come on, sweetheart. Say openly that you are disturbed to observe Maan's uncanny love towards his father."

I mutter in my mind while wiping Maan's face with the napkin. He almost smears the whole pudding on his mouth area.

"I just wanted to spend more time with my son. I think that shouldn't be considered as imposing my opinion."

Maan is only around 2 years. Otherwise, he understood my words and came to know that his Captain America is none other than his Dad. From the corner of my eyes, I observe her reaction. For a moment her face turns ashen. She stirs the soup, trying to pacify her agitation and replies in a low tone,

"He is only my son. You have nothing to do with him. Understood? Don't try to snatch him from me."

Her last line jabs my heart. She thinks that I want to take away Maan from her! Why should I? Can't she see how desperate I am to get both of them back in my life? I gulp the pain and counter,

"I am not trying to snatch him from you. I never intended to do that. I lost my mother at a tender age. I know the value of the mother-son bond. But you can't deny a father-son bond either. He is not only your son. He is equally mine too. So, don't say I have nothing to do with him."

In reply, she pierces me with her doe eyes.

"Father! Mr Manik Malhotra, have you forgotten what did you say to me that night? You said you didn't make love to me. You just raped me to fulfil your vengeance. I was pregnant because of that rape. And today you are claiming him as your son."

She hisses out. Perhaps she forgets that we are sitting in a public place. I glance at Maan. Fortunately, he has fallen asleep resting his tiny head on my chest. My heart wrenches for a moment. Nandini's every word is true but it's also true that I never got her out from my heart. I leave the fork on the plate. Suddenly I feel puckish. I call the waiter and ask him to get the check. Nandini observes my plate full of food and tries to open her handbag. I show her my hand.

"Please...don't create a scene. We can talk outside."

Perhaps my tone had something that she refrains herself from paying the bill. We come out of the restaurant and get in Sam's cab.

"Hotel..."

I instruct. Nandini turns at me with a piercing stare.

"We are supposed to go to my place first."

She tries to correct my demand. I look outside and reply in a determined voice.

"We will. I need to change. After that, we will go to your place."

"But...."

She again tries to confront my decision. I face her and mouth in a grave voice.