I keep on staring at the name mentioned in Morrone's message.
"Nandini...here? How?"
I mumble. If so, then I have to know who is this Nandini. As I thought I call Morrone. However, the call remains unreceived. I again try but this time also the ring stops after some time. I was about to press the green button again, the driver says in a professional tone,
"Señor, Sr Morrone is in a meeting. He will call you whenever he will be free. I will drop you at the hotel. Around 6:30 pm I will there to pick you up. In between, if you want to roam around you can call me. Please save my number."
I absentmindedly hear his words. Right now, I only want to talk to Mr Morrone. But it seems that I have to wait. There is enough time for the meeting. In between, I can easily take a stroll nearby. The advice sounds good to me. It will be wise to ask about this project manager Nandini to Morrone in person. I suppress my restlessness and ask the driver to tell me his number. He gives me the number and I inform him that after half an hour, I will need his ride. I want to see the nearest beach. He nods and states,
"Señor, Playa El Cuco is the nearest. It is a beautiful beach town. There are so many vendor huts and seafood restaurants where authentic Spanish dishes are served. People can surf in the ocean too. You will love it Sr."
His description of the beach makes me chuckle. This Man sounds more a guide than a corporate chauffeur. I inquisitively ask,
"What is your name, Mr? I am here for 2 days and I want you to make me familiar with this place. Can you manage?"
He smilingly nods and replies,
"My name is Samuel Castillo. You can call me Sam, Sr. I work in Decoración as a part-time driver. Rest of the day, I drive my cab and work as driver cum guide. Of course, I will give you my ride. It's a beautiful place. But you have a shortage of time, still, I will try to manage the main places to visit."
I nod with an affirmation. Only then, the cab enters a huge portico of a hotel and Sam informs,
"We are here, Señor. After half an hour I will be waiting for you at this place."
I look outside and check out the hotel. It's a 5-star luxurious hotel and of course, Decoración is bearing all the cost of my staying over here. The guard hastily nears our cab and opens the back seat door. I get down and instruct to unload my bags. He does it with efficiency and Samuel departs for the moment. I approach the security check corner. A bellboy ushers me to the hotel room. Right now, I need a relaxing bath. I enter the room.
...........................................................
"Of course, Nanz you can come over here anytime. But don't forget to bring my Boyfriend. Or else you won't have an entry...ha...ha..."
Soha's giggle echoes in the phone speaker. As I requested Carlos to tell my boss, Mr Morrone, for my 2 days off, he did exactly the same. I wanted to spend these 2 entire days in Carlos' outhouse and do my works without any disturbance. However, my stubborn monster planned something else. He wants to go outside as according to him; he is getting bored as Senora Calida is not at home and I am busy. So, I can't blame my son entirely. But I already said Carlos that I have so many works regarding his Mansion renovation and that's why I don't want to go to the office. And now, if he sees that I have taken this leave for roaming around with my son, then it won't be a good impression for me. After a lot of brainstorming, I come to the conclusion that I will drop Maan at Soha's place and request her to get him outside. As per my thought, I call her and she, as usual sounds super excited.
"In fact, it is his demand that I have to take him outside today. But Soha I have some important work to do. So, can you...."
She doesn't let me finish and enthusiastically replies,
"Done deal. I am going on a date with my little boyfriend today. Come and drop him here. I am waiting."
I utter a small thank you and cut the call. I have to get Maan ready quickly and leave. I come to my bedroom and observe that my little monster is playing with his avenger toys. He looks at me and mouths,
"Mummum..."
I smile at him and open the cupboard to take out his clothes. He lifts a toy and asks,
"Capthan Amelica iz halsum? (Captain America is handsome?)
Without looking at him I reply,
"Yes, Guppy. But you're more handsome."
I chuckle as I know he is a bit obsessed with a person's looks. But his next question anchors me to my place.
"Like my papa?"
I flip with a jerk. My forehead is lined with a deep frown. He groks the meaning of my expression and further mouths,
"Lob's papa, Ilon Man...(Rob's papa, Iron Man)...My papa Capthan Amelica (My papa Captain America)
"I swear I will fight with the mother of this Rob for giving birth to this nuisance."
I curse inwardly and near Maan. He is still lifting the toy towards me with an innocent smile. Suddenly, a sharp pang jabs my heart. I sit beside him and take him into my lap.
"Manu...you miss your Papa?"
I tenderly ask. My heart is throbbing as I don't want to hear a Yes from him. He keeps staring at me for a while and sways his head in negative. In the next moment, he wraps my neck with his tiny hands and pecks my lips. With a babyish accent, he mutters,
"I love my Mummum..."
Tears prick my eyes. His maturity sometimes astonishes me. But am I not doing injustice to this innocent soul? I press his small frame to my chest and mumble,
"Mummum loves you a lot, Baby...more than anything."
He giggles in my arms and I withdraw myself to grok why he is giggling. He looks at my eyes and again giggles out,
"Tui tui..."
He bends his both forefingers and gestures a funny sign. I laugh loudly. Tui Tui means, he is feeling ticklish and he wants to tickle me in return. I fake a scarred face and mouth,
"NO...No tui tui...we have to go outside. You want to have Arroz con leche (Rice pudding)...right? Okay, Soha will get you that. I told her. Now, come! Get ready. We have to go."
He tilts his head in approval and lifts his both hands, gesturing to pull out his tee-shirt. I start dressing him but deep down his words are poking my mind. How long I will be able to play both the roles of his parents? My inner self answers,
"As long as his desire to get his father's love is overshadowed by your love. But time is unpredictable."
I get the car keys and leave for Soha's house having Maan in my lap. I can't think too much on this matter. Come what may, Maan will be always mine. His father will never reach him. Never.
................................................
Cuco beach (Playa El Cuco)
Sam stops the cab near the Playa El Cuco and informs,
"Señor, we are here. The most beautiful beach town of El Salvador."
I look outside and the view takes my breath away. It is really mesmerizing and inviting. As the Sun is about to set, the tangerine tint of its tender rays is reflecting on the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The blue colour of the vast sky is hued with orange spots, making it a beautiful painting of an artist. I come out of the car and instruct Sam to wait for me. He nods and I approach the beach sand to feel the beauty closely. This is the evening time. Very few people are inside the water. However, some bikini-clad Latinas are still lying on the sand while some robust men are returning from surfing holding their surfboards. Latin Americans have an uncanny resemblance in looks with Indians. They have tanned skin like us, black hair and black eyes. The only visible difference is their height and physique. All men and women are genetically robust and voluptuous. I forward to a vendor hut. Let's see what they have to invite an Asian tourist. But the problem is I hardly know Spanish. Thankfully Sam knows English quite well. Or else it would have been difficult to communicate with him. I think I should have got him with me. I can't even order a drink for myself. I sulk in my mind. As I near a vendor hut, an aged man comes closer and mouths,
"Hola, Señor...Bienvenida a Playa El Cuco. Qué te gusta tener? (Hello, Mr...Welcome to Cuco beach. What do you like to have?)"
I helplessly keep on looking at him as I only recognise the word Hola. He again asks,
"Un vaso de cerveza con carne rosted? (A glass of beer with roasted meat?)"
"Spare me, God.."
I pray in my mind and look around as if anyone to rescue me. Only then, a sweet voice catches my attention,
"Indian? Want some help?"
I look at her. A smart and beautiful lady is standing just a ft away from me and smiling. A small cute boy is standing beside her, holding her hand protectively. I shrug and smile back. She again says,
"Tourist? Welcome to Salvador."
Author's note: Is Nandini right to keep Maan away from Manik? Who is this girl Manik met? How will Manik come to know about Nandini and Maan? To know all these, keep reading.❤🙏🙏