Love at First Fight

Chapter 9

The whole ride there I didn't say anything further and he didn't question anything. He pulled up in front of this beautiful house, he got out of the car and so did I. We walked to th door and taking one deep breath I put on a smile

Manik knocked on the door and it flung open within seconds revealing his mother. She looked just as chirpy as she did this morning

"Hi nandini"

"Hi ma, how are you"

"Good, I was making some food" she siad

"Ma mai bhi hu" manik said and ma chuckled

"Yes my dear child, come on in baby" she said kissing his cheek

He wiped his cheek and walked inside.

"Ma can I help you" I asked and she nodded

She hooked her arm with mine and we walked to the kitchen

"Nandini can I ask you something" she asked

"Of course ma" I said leaning on the counter

"My son, he is umm sort of difficult to handle" I laughed hearing this

"He is but who doesn't come with challenges and anyways that's one thing I love about him"

"His mood swings" she asked and I chuckled

"No ma, his flaws. A person with flaws is so much better than a person without. Umm should I cut this for the salad" I asked and she grabbed the cucumber from my hand

"You are here as my daughter so no need to get yourself busy in chores" she said

"Ma you just called me your daughter and now you are saying I shouldn't do chores come on" I said taking back the cucumber

"What is one thing you hate about Manik" she asked out of the blue

"I don't hate anything but I dislike his anger, I think he can use alternative ways to express his anger instead of shutting himself out or hurting himself" I said remembering all the times he has gotten angry

"Dang you do know him" she said making me laugh

"Just a little bit" I said and she caressed my hair

"Don't ever leave him, I know this isn't ideal for you and him but the fact that you understand him so well makes me happy" she said confusing me

"Oh don't be confused darling, I know you two aren't actually dating" she said and I felt my eyes widening

"I ummm no I" I was stammering and she was just smiling looking at me

"Nandini relax, I know my son. He depends on you for everything, from meetings to his personal time. He doesn't just need you in the office, he needs you in his life and I know that you two are pretending to do this because of the accusations by the media. And trust me I would be the happiest mother in the world if you two actually start dating oh and I see that happening" she said the last sentence winking at me making me blush a little

"Im sorry that he lied to you, it is all because of me. I just don't know how to fix this without dragging him and the company down. He put so much effort in this company and to even think that I might be the reason for his failure hurts me a lot" I said and she smiled

"Darling he does not give a single crap what anyone says about him so who cares what the media says, they will never be able to drag this company or his name down and you are right there to handle it all. This fake dating thing that he agreed to or play wasn't because he had to but because he wanted to protect you"

"You know ma sometimes I think he is an angel but then he yells at me and I wanna punch his handsome face"

I looked at ma and that's when I realized I just told her I wanna punch her son, shit man why can't you shut your mouth Nandini

"Umm I mean, crapppp shittt, I'm sorry I didn't" before I could finish my sentence she started laughing

"Hahah nandini I know what you mean, he is very moody and difficult and trust me when he was growing up there were times where I wanted to run away for a few hours because he frustrated me that much" I relaxed hearing this

"Ma dar kita time lagega im hungry" we heard Manik

"Ma you go ill finish this and then bring it out" I said and she shook her head

"Maaa" manik said walking into the kitchen

"Im hungry ma, what are you guys doing?" He asked

"Just talking smack about you, take your girlfriend out and ill bring the food" she said

"Ill help ma" I said

"You made salad, raita and rice that is more than enough help, go out ill be right out" she said and manik grabbed my hand

"Chalo na yar, she will take longer if you don't come and I can't stay this hungry" he said taking me outside

"Manik" I said and he looked at me as we sat on the dinning table

"Thank you" I mumbled and she looked confused

"For what" he asked

"Nothing" I said smiling at him

"Here you go my kids" ma brought out the food

We ate while talking well I was mostly listening to the mother and son talking about some cars, and life. It was all fun and games until

"Your dad called" ma said and I saw Manik's jaw tightened, his hands formed into fists

"For what" he asked

"To ask about you"

"I have told you not to pick up his calls" he said

"He is your dad manik"

"Ya well he doesn't act like one"

"Manik" she said and he shrugged his shoulder

"Ma I can't deal with him right now and you are not gonna pick up his calls, if he needs to know how im doing he can call me but he has no reasons to be calling you" Manik said

"You can be distant Manik bu he is your dad and he has done nothing to you" she said

"Fuck I have told you this before too and im not discussing this again with you" he siad banging his hands not he table

I looked at ma who looked down, I looked at Manik who was huffing In anger.

"Ill be right back" ma said walking upstairs

I looked at Manik who was clenching his jaw. I hesitantly put my hand over his arm making him look at me

"Relax" I said

"Don't speak in between my family matter" he said

"I won't but don't speak to her like that, she looks hurt. Whatever this may be caused by can be dealt with but you can't talk to her with that language. Go talk to her, ill clean up here" I said and he looked defeated

he didn't say a single word, he just got up and went upstairs while I cleaned up the kitchen table and washed some dishes.