Love or Game (Complete✅)

Chapter 44 - "Blood bond..."

"Gracious por venir, Nandini." (Thank you for coming, Nandini)

Calida shakes hand with me and taps Maan's cheeks affectionately. The exhibition has already started. We are a bit late just because of Arya. He had to visit a client in the way and he is very bad at managing time. I am wearing a saree after a long time. I thought the exhibition will have different people from different places in the world. So, it's a good opportunity to represent our Indian culture. Although I prefer to wear more comfortable clothes like jeans tee-shirt or dresses, I seek chances to try ethnic attire all the time. I bought this red saree from a boutique of Soha's patient. She has a good collection of Indian clothes in her shop. I often visit there. Calida has never seen me in a saree. She appreciates my look a lot. She even makes me a temporary model for her jewellery and all her European customers are praising my mien. Arya is chuckling from a distance. Even Maan is enjoying the whole thing and on the contrary, I am feeling embarrassed. I am not used to getting this much limelight. I was talking to a Yankee visitor and telling him about the Indian culture when Calida calls me,

"Nandini, por favor, ven aquí. Quiero que comozcas a alguien." (Nandini, please come over here. I want you to meet someone)

"Excuse me!"

I take his leave and walk towards Calida. She is talking to a guy. I can't see his face but he is well built and tall. I near them and enthusiastically utter,

"Si Calida..." (Yes, Calida)

Both Calida and the person turn to me and the sight gives me a jostle. Calida introduces him to me and he chuckles.

"Nandini, conozca al Sr...oh sorry...Nandini, meet Mr Manik Malhotra. I always forget that everybody doesn't know Español so well like Nandini. She is excellent."

She as usual glorifies and Manik checks me out from top to bottom. I glare at him inwardly.

"How did he know that I am here? Is he following me? Oh shit. He must not see Maan with me. And to avoid that I have to exit as soon as possible."

I rapidly calculate in my mind. Manik lingers Cadila's topic and mouths,

"Yes, she is. Hello Ms Nandini. Glad to meet you. By the way, you are looking stunning. I think you have actually stolen the show."

His tone is husky. I end it with a small uninterested Hi and turn to Calida.

"I have to go, Calida. There is some urgent work. Lo siento mucho." (I am very sorry)

I make my excuse. She delivers an astonishing look and turns down my plead,

"Tu acabas de venir. Por favor no vayas tan pronto. Verás que todos se están interesandos en la exposición gracias a usted. Eres mi modelo después de todo." (You just came. Please don't go so soon. See all are taking interest in the exhibition because of you. You are my model after all.)

As she doesn't get any positive expression from me, she shrugs at Manik and pleads to him,

"Please, Mr Malhotra. Tell her that she is a great help for the success of my exhibition."

Ufff...where I got stuck! Manik eyes at me and utters with a mischievous tone,

"I think you should consider her request. Work can be done later."

Along with this, he murmurs in Hindi so that Calida can't understand.

"Ab aahi gaye ho to jhel lo mujhe." (Bear me if you have come)

I secretly roll my eyes at him and nod at Calida with a distressed smile. Calida pecks on my cheek and leaves me with this monster. She wants me to attend to him as he is very much interested in Indian jewellery. My foot. I grimace in annoyance.