Love or Game (Complete✅)

Chapter - 35 "Catch-22"

I am skirting my inquisitive eyes on the browser pages and articles where every single piece of information is written about 'Decoración'. It is an old company. At least older than ELYSIAN. But if I compare it with our company on the basis of turnover and reputation, then it can't stand even near to us. I go through every detail of it. It has 3 branches in South America but its head office is in Salvador. Although I am to travel almost every corner of this world for ELYSIAN'S work I haven't visited Brazil yet. It will be a good exploration. I click on the URL of Salvador. It's my habit to study a place before going there. It's a beautiful place with the longest coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. There are alluring beaches surrounded by reefs. I type 'Architecture of Salvador' and it shows me breath-taking Portuguese colonial monuments. Sometimes I really wonder how did these 16th and 17th century architects build these mesmerising structures without modern technology? In that case, we are very petty in front of them. I keep on watching the gallery where every historical masterpiece spellbinds me. I keep the tab on the table and fill my glass with whisky. It's 11:30 pm. I haven't had my dinner yet. Raghu came to the room a couple of time to remind me and left getting my rebuke. After becoming an alcoholic, I hardly feel any hunger. The doctor said it's the earlier sign of liver damage. I snicker. Who cares? As I was about to touch my lips on the rim of the glass, someone enters my study. Without glancing I bawl out,

"Didn't I tell you I am not hungry? Get lost and leave me alone."

However, instead of Raghu, a female voice counters my rude words,

"I am not concerned about your hunger. Dinner time is already over and you have to have your food. And I am not going anywhere before ensuring that you have your dinner like an obedient brother whether you are hungry or not."

I immediately stare up and meet Navya's glare. She shuttles her angry looks between me and the glass. I bite my lower lips. Shit! Raghu should have informed me that she is coming. I get up from the chair and walk at her. I don't near her too much as she may smell the alcohol.

"You! I didn't know you would come."

I mouth, trying to shift her focus. Navya walks to the sofa and slouches on it.

"Even I didn't know I would catch you red-handed."

Her razor-sharp reply comes. I feel awkward. I know she knows my drinking habit but she has never seen me like this. I again try to change the topic.

"When did you come? Who dropped you? Cabir? But why have come so late? You would have informed me. I would have come earlier."

She arches her brows and retorts,

"Really, Bhai? You would have come earlier? A person whose evening starts at 11 o'clock at night would have sacrificed his work and drink for his sister? Unthinkable!"

Her sarcastic tone provokes my anger. I berate with equal temper,

"Have you come here to give a lecture about my habits? Then please...don't waste your time. I am not interested."

My rebuke halts her for a moment. After a brief silence, she replies,

"No matter how hard you try to hurt me, I won't get hurt because I know you are more hurt than me and I can't see my brother in this pain."

Her voice had something which compels me to see her face minutely. Her eyes are brimming with tears. She is really struggling to control her outburst. Her quivering lips are the proof. I immediately rush at her and sit beside her, taking her hands between mine.

"I am sorry. I don't know why do I lose my temper nowadays? I didn't want to hurt you. It's just that I am tired."

I utter with concern. I can't see tears in her eyes. Navya bends her head and mouths,