"For now, ."

Everyone stood wide-eyed in almost shock.

"You may ask; why am I not leaving after all this?

Then, I'll say, Adi needs me... No! actually, I need him. After all, he's the only one in this whole house who loves me from his heart.

And still, if you think that I'm sticking to you for your money, then sorry! I can't help you. I couldn't do anything more to change your mind." I muttered to Fab5 disappointed with the thought that I still couldn't alter their mindset.

"And about me being bed-warmer for pleasure and money... If you're saying all this based on those photographs. Then I won't explain myself.

I know what I am? And I never need a photo to certify my character." I declared and closed my suitcase to move.

"One last thing!" I stopped and turned back holding my bag when I remembered something very important to say.

"I'm definitely not like her. You know, how?

I didn't leave without a word; like her.

I didn't run away in your difficult time; like her.

I didn't hurt you beyond repair; like she did.

And if I did unintentionally, then I'm Sorry for...." I get cut by Adi's voice, who came running since I took a lot time here.

"Mummmaaa I'm lateee"

I wiped my tears before turning to Adi so that he won't get to see.

"Mumma are you crying?" He instantly asked in a caring tone looking at my pale fluffy face though tear-ridden.

How much he loves me to see even the tears which I don't wanna show him? I thought.

"Where are you going, Mumma?" He added when his eyes trailled at the suitcase I'm holding.

"Come Adi

I'll tell you at the car. we are late na?" I cooed taking him with me & walked out of the house...

In a break... to live my life, my passion.

------------------------------------

"Papa... I'm not getting this" Adi came to my room holding his notebook for the 5th time in the day as he's facing difficulties in solving the mathematics problem.

Even Rema Kaki is on half-day today as she hurt her hand.

"Adi, Can you not do your homework for today?" I voiced tired as I'm already busy with an important project file for tommorow.

"No Papa! Mumma said to be a good boy and do my homework every day!" He answered with a pout and get settled on my bed.

"Then, why don't you call your Mumma and ask her help?"

It has been 5 days since she left.

She told Adi that she's going on a trip just like Adi went but for more days than him. She even calls Adi twice a day and took his call whenever needed.

I- I kinda miss her presence...

Even though I never talk to her and just walked away whenever I saw her; but I miss seeing her around...

My clothes are not arranged now; my hanky is not replaced with a new one for the last 3 days; I couldn't get my 'lucky' blue necktie today & has to attend the meeting with another one.

Every morning, as soon as I wake up, my eyes involuntarily searched for her with a cup of black tea... I did get my black tea from Kaki, but it doesn't taste the same. Even I crave for the food she used to make.

I didn't get to know when I get habituated to her... I feel like- like something is empty without her.

"Hello Mummmaaa"

Aditya's cooing broke my trance and I looked up at Adi with his phone which she gave him to contact her.

He put it on speaker like I asked him to; from the very first time.

I wanna hear her voice, at least!

"Hello my Adi, What are you doing now?" she said lovingly. My heart felt good and calm hearing her sweet voice.

"I'm doing homework"

"Wow... That's very good-" She was about to complete when the doorbell rang.

"One minute Adi!" She excused herself and must have gone to see the door.

I got curious as to who came so late in the night to her. Adi remained silent and I keenly stick all my attention to hear the other side of the phone...

"Arey! Arey! Where are you coming inside?" She shouted.

Did some intruder break to her place?

"I thought you must be bored, so came to company you." A male voice; friendly & sweet-coated came.

"Firstly, get off my bed.

Secondly, I'm not bored since I'm talking to my son" She answered.

What the hell is he doing on 'her bed'?

"Ohhh! Talking with Aditya...hmm... then I'm not needed here. Okay! I'll go" He said.

How did he know her son is Aditya? Is he someone close to her?

"And Ya! Sleep soon... You've an important day tomorrow." He said in a caring tone.

"Sure! Good Night" She replied.

"Good Night & sweet dreams" He said and the door locking I heard.

"Hello Adi, Sorry! What are you saying?" She asked Adi.

"Mumma... I'm not getting a question. Help me" Adi requested with a pout.

"Read the question, baby." she instructed.

"You have 5 roses that you gave to your mother. Your father gave her 2 roses. Then your friend took 3 roses from her. She gave the rest to you. Now, how many roses you have with you?" Adi read the so-called complicated question, according to him.

"What's the problem, Adi? I taught you this type of question, na?" She asked ever lovingly.

"But Mumma I have a doubt." Adi said making a grumpy face.

"What, my baby?"

"Why will my friend take your roses? I'll not let him take roses from my Mumma!" Adi declared with an angry pout. God, This child!

She chuckle. "Okay my Adi! I know you'll not let him."

"But, for now, you have to let him take. After you solve this question, I'll take it back and give it all to you, Okay?" She added asking cutely.

"Okay!" Adi agreed to her.

"Now let's see if my smart Adi can solve this correct!" She encouraged.

"I know, 5+2 = 7 then 7-3 = 4. You gave me 4 roses. Right, Mumma?" Adi instantly did.

"Right, my boy. You're very smart. My smart Adi!" She praised to which Adi smile brightly.

I too smile watching their bond. Even though she is not her birth mother, she loves him more than her.

"What did my Adi had at dinner?" She asked.

"I'd Itlin (Italian) dish in resturat (restaurant)" Adi shared excitedly with his broken english.

Yes! We all had our dinner at restaurant since Kaki is on leave.

"Restaurant?... Do you like the food? Did you eat your tummy full?" She sounded worried with motherly concern.

"Yes! But, I don't like that white-white dish... it's too sweet." Adi complained.

"Oh! Then did you eat other dishes?"

"Yes! but Alya Bua took my ice-cream, she is too bad!" Adi complained angrily.

Even I saw them fighting for Blueberry ice-cream. They dropped it and I had to again buy them one-one.

"She is not bad, Adi!

If she wanted to taste your ice-cream then you should share. I told you na, if you share then they will love you more and you'll be a good boy.

Next time, you'll share it with her, Okay?" She made him understand patiently and asked.

"Okay Mumma!" Adi agreed happily.

What is she?

Even though Alya said so much to her, she still defends her in front of a small kid.

Are you so pure-hearted? Do I judged you wrong?

"Good Boy! Now, go & sleep, you've to wake up for school na?" She said.

"Good night Mumma. Muuhhha" Adi wished and blowed a kiss on the phone as if kissing her.

"Good night Adi and have so many sweet-sweet dreams. Love you... Muuhhha" She greeted him and kissed too.

I felt like my heart skipped a bit.

--------------------------------------

"It was a pleasure meeting such a talented pretty lady." The Columbian delegate said in his Spanish accent while taking my hand in a shake.

We just finished the conference between many businessmen from different counties all over the world. They did want an interpreter to help them communicate better.

Even though machines can help, but what a human can do, a machine can't!

I even took care of decency and respectful wording for conveying their messages...

"I'm glad that I manage to help you properly." I smiled while I spoke Spanish.

All say, it's quite difficult for one to learn Spanish when you're an Englishman. But, it's not that difficult if it becomes your passion.

"Can I have the pleasure to thank this lady, Mr.Jos'e "

There comes the Korean delegate with a glass of wine in his hand. Mr.Jos'e, the Colombian one, turned to him but couldn't understand as he spoke in the Korean language.

"Mr.Kyong too wanted to thank me." I conveyed his words in Spanish to Mr.Jos'e.

"Sure Sure" he laughed and excused himself.

"I must praise you for your talent, young lady! You have knowledge of so many languages in such an young age." He praised me in Korean.

"It's my pleasure that I managed to impress you." I replied with a smile. Actually he's a joyful man.

"Actually, I would want you to accompany us in one of our deals where I and my two other partners, Mr. Haruto(Japanese) and Mr.Michai(Russian) will go to India. Since you are also from India, we'd get more comfortable. I hope you don't have any other plans, Miss. Nandini." he asked politely.

"I'd love to get this opportunity." I chirped. He smiled.

"Great then, I'll inform you about the date, venue and time. We'll be glad to taste Indian cuisine there. I'll get recommendations from you only." He added making me laugh.

"Sure... I'll be obliged to please you with my culture and delicious cuisines." I replied.

Wow!

This conference really made my life.

I didn't regret coming here. Instead, I would have regretted if I won't have come here.

"I could feel like getting my breath back."

I whispered as the cold wind brush my petite figure blowing few of my hair over my face.

I'm now standing outside the multicomplex tower after the conference, waiting for Aryaman who'll be picking me up from here. He's here to visit the Khurana Empire branch over here, in Mexico.

He is one of the three hires of Khurana Empires. They are one of the greatest known businessmen all over the world and Aryaman came to India to expand it's branch there.

"How was it?" He asked as soon as I got settled in his car.

"What do you think?" I questioned back instead, controlling my happiness and excitement; faking a sad expression.

"You're good. Even though they couldn't recognize a gem like you, One day they will surely do." He tried speaking words to encourage me looking at my sadness. He must have thought it didn't go as I expected.

"Of course, I'm good... In fact, I'm the best!

They thanked me, appreciated me and praised me a lottt... I just can't express how happyy I am!" I shouted excitedly & happy that shocked him first and then he understood my drama.

"You drama queen! Sacred me." He narrowed his eyebrow chuckling at my ever so dramatic nature.

"But this calls for a celebration." He added to which I happily hooted.

We visited some of the Mexican beauty of the city before stopping at the restaurant for dinner, before returning to the hotel we stay in.

"This is on me! -for my achievement."

I said as we got seated at the corner table with a great night view of the city. I cleared it beforehand as Arya always insisted to pay for me also.

"Ok Madam." He agreed dramatically.

And suddenly my phone buzzed with the screen showing "My sweetheart" and it instantly brought a bright smile on my face.

"Must be Aditya!" Arya said watching my smile. I nodded at him before answering the call.

"Hello Mumma" Adi shouted merrily as soon as the phone connected.

"Hello Adi, you sound very happy today. What's so special?"

"Mumma, I got 1st prize for English storytelling. And Mam said; I'm the best!" Adi said with so much happiness in his tone. I can imagine his twinkling eyes.

"Wooww... congratulation... I knew my Adi is a smart boy" I added happily. Before I could continue the waitress came...

"Welcome Sir! Welcome Mam! Your order please" she spoke in Spanish with a professional smile.

"You order for me too" Arya said in Hindi and I nodded.

"2 plates of today's special dish and make one more spicy; other less." I spoke in Spanish. She took the order and left. But in-between I heard someone's low voice from the other side of the phone. Is someone with Adi?

"Yes, Adi! Sorry, I was ordering food." I reasoned while taking the phone.

"Mumma... Did you speak in other languge(language)?" Adi asked as he had heard me speaking in different languages when I used to work from home.

"Yes baby, It's Spanish" I said. Even though I used to say what language it is but he never remembers it's pronunciation clearly.

"Oh Wow... You are the best; like me!" He praised me making me laugh.

"Ask" I heard someone speaking from the other side of the phone other than Adi. Who is he? Manik?

"Mumma, Who are you eating dinner with?" Adi asked me.

"With my best friend, Adi!" I exclaimed as he knew the name of my only friend in India.

"Arya Mamu!" Adi shouted remembering his name.

"Yes baby!"

"Mam your order." the waiter served the food.

"Baby, my food arrived, you have your dinner, We'll talk later, Okay?" I voiced.

"Okay Mumma. Byeee" He chripped before cutting the phone.

-------------------------------------

"What happened Papa?" Adi asked watching me lost in my thoughts.

"Who is Arya Mamu?" I asked.

As always, I heard their conversation. I felt sudden anger knowing she is dining with a man. And was shocked too that she spoke in Spanish!?

"Mumma's Only best friend.

I've many friends; but Mumma has only Arya Manu and me." Adi answered.

"Adi, Have you heard Mumma talking in other languages before also?" I asked again as in my mind I'm thinking of some dots that could possibly join.

"Yes! Mumma knows many languge(language)... She is the best!" Adi didn't get tired praising her, Ever!

"Okay, Adi, now you go and sleep" I said and he went to his room.

I opened the drawer and took out the photographs of her with men, handshaking n hugging one of them.

"She is wearing decent formals in this. Could they be her clients?

But what does she work? And when?"

I murmured as my heart wanted to believe her and trust her to no limits... but this lonely, betrayed and broken mind prevents me from it as it can't take any more of betrayal.

------------------------------------------

Cabir's POV

"Where the hell is our language interpreter, Alisha?" I growled as we are heading on to the conference hall and the foreign delegates have also arrived, but the language interpreter we've hired is nowhere to be found yet!

"Calm down, Cabir. She is stuck in the traffic; will arrive soon" Dhruv said walking along with me.

Of course, he'll defend her, after all, he likes her!

But this deal is much more important. It'll lead our branch cooperation with them and will get us more profit.

I and Dhruv had started a company which Manik helped. But we are working really hard for its progress, and I can't afford anything to cause loss of it.

"Call her soon" I ordered and we welcomed the delegates warmly. They are from Korea, Russia, and Japan.

But then suddenly, I tracked someone unexpected...

"Nandini?"

I murmured inaudibly. What is she doing here? ...with them?

She too looked shocked but composed herself soon.

"Should we start?" One of the foreigners said in god-knows-which-language. I got nervous but tried to hide it. Even Dhruv is not getting anything. I cursed Alisha for not coming yet.

But suddenly words from Nandini's mouth shocked me to core.

"They are saying to start the presentation."

I covered up my shocked expression and try to start and wish for Alisha to arrive now like a miracle.

"This is the plan we have for our joint venture..." I started while pointing and trying my best to make them understand with my gesture till Alisha arrived...

But seems like it didn't work. They are looking into each other's faces not getting what I'm saying without interpretation.

"This is their plan for this project"

Suddenly Nandini got up and said in three different languages to which the three foreigners and their PAs nodded smiling.

....I assume, she knew their language. I look at her surprised, she blinked her eyes in assurance to continue.

Now, this important deal is in the hands of Nandini, whom we insulted like anything. God Save me and our company!

I continued with three of my plans for three of them, explaining the benefits, profits, agreement, etc. while Nandini used to translate it to three of them and also their words to me.

In between, I saw Alisha coming inside panting...

I just glared at her and continued as it was going. She stood at the corner watching her job to be done by someone else.

After like one and half an hours, I finished.

I looked at them looking at each other and talking which Nandini helped in communication.

Suddenly, my PA arrived with sweets in her hands and placed it in front of them with a smile.

I didn't tell her to do so... Why is she giving Indian sweet to these foreigners?

"These are Indian sweet dishes; rasmalai and payasam(Kheer). Please try it. It's sugar-free" Nandini said to them in different languages that I couldn't understand anything.

They tried it and their face lit up... They ate it all.

"Wow! It's so tasty... I appreciate their hospitality." One of the foreigners said.

Um- Maybe praising the sweets!

"They say that they are happy with your generosity and welcome." Nandini said to us making me more shocked.

I didn't order it though! I just nodded at her.

"Okay! Even though we want some corrections in your plan but we like your project ideas. And moreover the sweet is so delicious that this deal is final from our side." Another foreigner said laughing and they stood up.

What did they say? Are they leaving without deal?

Noooo...

"They liked your ideas and would prefer some modifications in it. And they are ready for the deal" Nandini said making my face glow like 240W bulb.

What? The deal is on?

We shook hands and signed the deal... And they left along with Nandini.

I still can't believe I made it. Even with a lot of problems, we did it....

But, -Wait!

"Who asked you to get those sweets for them?" I turned suddenly asking my PA.

"Sir, woh, Miss. Nandini said so. I wanted to ask you but you're busy with the presentation, so I didn't disturb you" She explained.

"What nonsense!? What if they would've canceled the deal eating Indian sweet?" I shouted, not loudly though, but I didn't want to lose this project because of any stupidity from our side.

"What are you saying?" Alisha, who's standing there, interjected.

"You got the deal because of those sweets only! They appreciated it's taste and even your hospitality" She added.

"What?" I and Dhruv asked simultaneously.