Love or Game (Complete✅)

Chapter 16 - "The rupture..."

I continuously roam my eyes on Navya's stone still orbs and my shirt which is lying on the ground.

"Psychology says, smells often evoke strong memories."

My calculative mind reaches to a conclusion. The perfume in my shirt has opened the door of her memories.

"But I had applied her familiar perfume and she never reacted like this."

I contradict my mind. Suddenly a thought lightens up in my mind. Cabir hugged me. His perfume is lingering on my shirt. His perfume was...

"Dolce & Gabbana..."

My smart mind fills the blank. And Navya's lover used to wear...

"Dolce & Gabbana..."

He again completes the puzzle. Does that mean Cabir was Navya's ex-lover? The father of her unborn child? The ultimate reason for her all suffering? My jaws tighten.

"Hold on...how can you come to a conclusion so quickly? Does only Cabir use this international brand? There are so many people who use the same perfume brands. It can't be solid proof."

My logical mind pulls my horse. I turn at my sister to ask something but before that, she rushes towards the shirt and picks it up as it is the most precious thing of her life. Before I can say anything she bails out from my room and I hear the sound of her door closing with a thud. With a confused mind, I sink in the chair. I can't blame anybody on the basis of this small clue. I have to be sure. And for this, I have to talk to Navya. I have to ask her if Cabir was the guy she loved.

"But what if this affects her health adversely?"

My mind again becomes sceptic. Then I have to bring out the truth indirectly. I rapidly plan my next step. I glance at my mobile and pick it up. There is a missed call of Nandini. Due to the silent mode and the past few minutes of scenarios, I haven't noticed. But right now, I am not in a mood to talk to her. I type in a hurry:-

"Going to sleep. Talk to you tomorrow."

For a moment I keep on staring on the ticks in a wait of turning it to blue but it seems that Nandini is sleeping. I change and place myself on the bed. My body is tired but my mind is alert. I have to solve this puzzle. With a determination, I shut my dropping eyes.

...................................................

Since he has put out the light to finally end the day Cabir can't close his eyes for a moment. A plethora of thoughts is clouding his mind since he met Manik in the evening. And the irony is he can't even find out what this the reason of this agitation. Although he assured Nandini with his positive opinion about Manik something is still bothering him deep inside. After some minutes of tossing and turning Cabir eventually leaves his bed to come in the balcony. The crescent moon is gleaming amidst the scattered stars. It looks like being a part of this starry sky the Moon is still solitary. How metaphoric it is to his life. A sullen grin peeks on his lips. Manik seems a good guy. A balanced person with a sense of humour and maturity which is needed to handle his obstinate sister. Cabir curves his lips in an affectionate smile. But why did he feel that connection and tranquillity when he hugged Manik? And that is maybe the reason for his uneasiness. He only used to feel this connection and peace when he was with HER. Cabir's breath spikes. As much as he tries to forget HER as much as SHE runs in his mind. Cabir lights a cigarette and puffs some rings of smoke.

"Should I snoop about Manik more before Nandi takes any strong decision about him?"

His mind thinks like a typical brother.