Love or Retribution?

Chapter - 3

Her eyes automatically looked at their entwined hands, her slender long fingers neatly wrapped inside his clean manicured equally longer ones. She lifted her eyes slowly and looked into his. 

The pair of black orbs communicated in its own language with the pair of brown ones, making it very difficult for them to translate, but they both were engrossed in their own worlds to even try and understand what their eyes conveyed.

Before they could decode their eye talk, a continuous horn sound from the gate snapped them back to reality.

Bhargav turned and looked at the entrance to see Nandhini getting out of the car and walking towards them.

"Hey, what are you doing here? "

"You are late, we are supposed to meet with the farmers at the local produce market in another half an hour", Nandhini snapped at him.

"I apologize, it is my fault", Indira came forward with an extended arm.

"Hi, I am Indira", she added with a warm smile.

"Sir, Mr. Bhargav", the voice of the cleaning crew supervisor interrupted the tensed situation.

"Excuse me", Bhargav said and left both women alone with lot of hesitation.

"Hi, I am Nandhini, we spoke some time back when you called to place the order", Nandhini too introduced herself with a forced smile and extended her arm.

A sudden feeling of relaxation swept through Indira knowing that she did not speak to his wife

"That is you? nice, so you work for Mr.Bhargav? ", Indira asked in a tone that clearly indicated a sudden joy which did not go unnoticed.

"Work with Bhargav, I am like his business partner and soon to be his life partner too", Nandhini said with a sarcastic smile that immediately wiped the joy off Indira's face instantly, which surprised Nandhini.

"They were together for hardly 10 seconds and this girl's face reflects a sadness like she just lost the love of her life? what the hell is happening here?", Nandhini thought to herself confused.

"I am sorry, did I offend you by any chance?", Nandhini directly asked unable to control her curiosity.

Indira immediately understood her slip, to accomplish the things that she is here to do, she cannot have anyone doubting her, especially people close to Bhargav, she instantly changed her face and looked at Nandhini

"No Nandhini, it is not you, I lost my fiancee in a car accident last year, I just got reminded of him when you talked about yours, sorry", Indira let out one of her pre practiced lies that she had in her 'in case of emergency' bag and walked into her house followed by Nandhini

"Oh, I am so sorry, I didn't know", Nandhini immediately said with regret

"I know, It is okay, anyways thanks for the last minute delivery, for lunch I will just take five orders, just for the workers, I have some work in town so I won't be around", Indira replied with a smile.

"Sure, no problem, looks like lot of work needs to be done before you can settle in, don't worry about ordering last minute, just call us any time, and we will deliver the food or feel free to drop in at the inn, would love to show you around", Nandhini said with concern trying to compensate for her sarcastic attitude at the beginning.

"Will do, thanks", Indira replied and took a bag when a book fell down.

Nandhini bent down and took it in her hand, her face instantly bloomed with happiness.