As I enter Soha and Arya's house lawn, Arya comes out with a beaming smile.
"Hi, witch...you are late. Still, I can forgive you but I can't say this about buddy. Look at him. He is fuming like a volcano. Since the morning he has asked about you at least hundred times. Even his girlfriend has failed to cajole him....ha...ha..."
With a guffaw, he encircles me in a bear hug. I reciprocate with the same affection. This man is as clear as crystal. I never feel discomfort around him, even if he touches me without any hesitance. We approach the garden table. However, I am constantly feeling someone's gaze on me. I look back but can't see anyone. Shrugging off the thought I near the table and sit on a chair. Maan was sitting on Soha's lap. Seeing me, he stretches his tiny hands and almost jumps on my lap. My baby...even I was missing this heavenly touch. He kisses my cheeks and I rub my nose to his. This is our way to say hello. In Greenland, Eskimos greet each other in this way. Once I told a story of Eskimos to Maan and since then he picks this habit to greet me. I cup his face and ask,
"But your buddy said you are angry with me."
I wink at Soha. Aryamaan slouches in a chair with a helpless face. Maan nods in positive and utters with his adorable babyish voice,
"I waz angli... (I was angry)"
I look at Aryamaan and he shrugs as he wants to say, 'I told you.'
"Awww....but you just kissed me....that means angal (anger)...gone...gone?"
I try to mimic his accent. He suddenly hugs me tightly and mouths,
"Mummum...Manu miz you... (Mummum..Manu miss you)
I engulf his tiny frame into my chest. His words bring tears to my eyes. He is my world, my everything....I can't live without my Sunshine. I reply with equal love,
"Even I missed you my Honeybunch. I am sooooo soolly..Okay, today we all are going somewhere. Then we will have.....Arroz con leche (Rice pudding)"
I tickle him and he starts to giggle...
"Tui...tui...."
He giggles out and pokes my ribs. I burst into laughter. Arya and Soha also join us. Suddenly I again feel the uncanny stare on us. I immediately flip to test my doubt but nothing catches my eyes. Arya notices my restlessness.
"What happened, Nandini? Anything wrong?"
He sounds sceptic. I can't push him into worry. I hardly bring a smile on my face and wobble in denial.
"Nothing....I felt someone called me."
I say casually and it brings back his teasing mode.
"Call from the past....don't tell me you watched those horror movies throughout the night...where the heroin has been chased by some hook-man and then gets slain brutally...Are you imagining yourself in that position? No way, witch. You are neither so beautiful nor so lonely...ha....ha...this movie won't pull the crowd."
He lolls back in a bout of laughter. Soha and I chide,
"Shut up Arya...."
I add,
"It's much better than your frilly frock. Even Manu refused to wear it...ha...ha..."
He rolls his eyes at Soha and we high five with each other. Finally, we have a weapon for this tease. The morning goes nice and I decide to go to the Jewellery exhibition from here only. Calida already sent me the address. It's La Catadral. I ask Arya and Soha if they can come. Soha tells that she has an OT booking. Eventually, it is decided that I, Arya and Maan will go to the exhibition and after that, I and Maan will go to Sánchez Mansion.
...............................................
"Hmmmm...any bleeding or spotting after intercourse?"
The doctor asks without looking at Navya. She looks at the sonography monitor screen and replies sheepishly,
"Yes, sometimes...but it doesn't last for long."
Dr Komal Jain hangs the transducer in its bracket and takes out the gloves. Navya gets up and pulls her salwar up. Both come out of the check-up room. Cabir is sitting with a worried and eager face. Dr Komal occupies her seat.
"Look, Mrs Murthy...I have checked your previous reports and now I have thoroughly examined you. As you had a miscarriage in your past and that also because of an accident....I would suggest you....don't go for further pregnancy. Your uterus has some dents. Because of that, if the pregnancy happens there is a very strong chance of a stillborn baby."
Till now, Navya was holding her breath in hopeful anticipation. Dr's words hitch her heartbeat for a second. She tightly grips Cabir's hand. Tears prick her eyes. Dr Komal observes her expression. The lines on her face become soft. But before she continues, Navya asks in a grave tone,
"So, if I try to have my baby then he or she will be stillborn...right?"
Her tone has desperation which makes the Dr turn her eyes to Cabir. It seems that she is trying to tell him, ' Please make her understand.' Cabir presses her hand to pacify her restlessness and assures,
"Navya, she is only telling about the chances...She..."
Navya frees her hand with a jerk and again asks,
"She is saying that I shouldn't be a mother because my body is not perfect for carrying a healthy baby...isn't it Dr? Did I say something wrong?"
She sounds hostile. Cabir halts her by keeping his palm on her shoulder.
"Navya relax....let her finish...there must be some treatment."
He tries to control the situation and it works. Dr Komal Jain again starts,
"Mrs Murthy, I completely understand your desperation to have your baby. I am sorry. I think I shouldn't have put my words in this way. In medical science, we never say that a woman can't be a mother ever...no...because all is up to God. We only can be the medium to fulfil the wish. Yes, your pregnancy can have some challenges but that doesn't mean we won't try. But my concern is your health and your baby's health...both will be at risk....are you..."
Navya intervenes,
"I am ready...I am ready to take this risk..."
"Navya but...I can't put your life at stake for a baby....Dr, is there any other process? I mean surrogacy, adoption."
Cabir sounds restless and concerned but Navya shuns his all words and desperately says,
"I want my own baby and I will give him or her birth. It's my decision."
Cabir startles at her reaction. He has never seen her so obstinate for anything. Dr Jain blinks at Cabir to stop the topic and smilingly addresses Navya.
"Okay, Navya..for a baby we consider the mother's concern the most. If you insist then we can proceed. Please sit outside. I have to talk to your husband..Please.."
Navya nods and comes out of the cabin. Dr Komal Jain looks at Cabir.
"Mr Murthy...we can't force her like this. She has a history of mental illness so we have to take this matter wisely. I would suggest you for abstinence. At least for some weeks. After that, let me think."
................................................
I get in the car like a baffled soul. The only thing which is hammering my brain is Maan's words. Does that mean Nandini is Maan's mother? I remember Soha told me that Maan is her friend's child. So, that means Nandini is her that friend. Then who is Maan's father? The thought shakes my all emotions.
"Maan is my son. There is no doubt about it. That's why she wrote in her last letter that she is taking one more thing from me but again it's better to be unsaid. That thing was my blood, my son. She was carrying my blood in her womb."
I calculate in my mind and fist my hair in frustration. It was beyond my imagination. For the last two and a half years, my son is growing up in this world and I was totally oblivious. Why Nandini? You hate me so much that you didn't even tell this biggest truth to me! You kept away the biggest happiness from me because you hate me that much. Tears trickle down my cheeks. I peek out of the car window. Samuel professionally asks,
"Hotel, Señor?"
I determinedly answer,
"La Catedral...I have to attend an exhibition there. But before that, drop me at the hotel. We will leave at sharp 6 pm for La Catedral."
"Okay, Señor. By the way, Mr Morrone called me. He didn't get your number."
Sam informs me. I rub my eyes and connect Morrone's number,
"Yes, Mr Morrone. Sorry, my phone battery was drained out. Okay, there is a slight change in my plan. I am extending my stay here. Ummmm....maybe for 15 days. But that is only because I want to work with Ms Nandini Murthy. Yes, only she. I met her and I think only she can handle this project and work according to my plan and imagination. So, please convince her. Otherwise, I am afraid I won't be able to go ahead with this collaboration project. Yeah....that is my final decision. Yeah....okay...let me know. I am in that hotel only. Yeah....thank you. Bye."
I cut the call. There are so many things which I have to settle down with Nandini and for that, I have to keep her with me....as much as I can.
"Nandini....I came here to get you back. But now I will be here to get you both back in my life. Sorry, Nandini..but what is mine is mine. Maan is my son and you can't keep him away from me. For that, if I have to fight with you, I will. I am coming, Nandini...your old Manik is back."
The determined heart inside me swears.
Author's note: So, Manik's stubbornness to get back Nandini and Maan is on. The Monster is back. How will be the next encounter? Dhamakedar💣💥💣💥...stay tuned. ❤😊