MaNan OS: A Fairy Tale Love

Nandini woke up early morning and walked past the kitchen on her way to the restroom to freshen up. She stopped half way and tilted her head into the kitchen as she noticed the white piece of paper placed on the fridge.

"Gone to work. See you in the afternoon baby." Signed "Your Monster Manik."

A smile formed on her lips as she read it. It had been three months already when she and Manik had gotten married. She still remembered the day Noyonika forced Manik to choose between his wealth and Nandini. That day she recognized that Manik was never her monster, but her soul mate that God has gifted to her. She reminisced how Manik had grabbed her hand and held it while facing Noyonika telling her all her wealth stands nothing in front of Nandini. She still remembered the warm tears that trailed down her cheeks as his words echoed in her ears. Never in her life had she imagined someone would love her to the extent of giving up all his wealth for her. This was something she usually heard in fairy tales and watched in bollywood movies but real life was never this kind.

"Woof woof." A dog barking outside interrupted her thoughts. She grabbed her towel, the smile still decorating her lips as she headed towards the washroom.

She started to clean the living room when she heard a knock on the door. "Who could it be at this time?" She wondered. She made her way towards the door and opened it. "Manik?"

Manik entered the house planting a kiss on Nandini's cheek.

"There wasn't much work today so I decided to come home." He spoke trying to sound truthful. He tossed his coat on the chair and headed towards the bedroom.

"What's wrong with him?" Nandini wondered. I'm sure something is wrong and he is hiding it from me."

She decided to call Cabir and ask him since they both worked in the same company. After calling Cabir it turns out that Manik had an argument with his khadoos manager. Nandini couldn't help but admire Manik's for not wanting to trouble her with his problems. He really has been trying really hard to make everything work out and hadn't complained even once. It's almost as he transformed into a different Manik, by controlling his anger and becoming more matured.

"His idiot manager must have really upset him then." Nandini mumbled to herself. "I have to think of a way to cheer him up."

Lunch was ready and they both sat on the table having their food silently. Nothing much was spoken and Nandu was beginning to hate seeing this depressed Manik.

"The food was good." He softly spoke as he carried his plate towards the counter and started to wash his hands.

An excited smile formed on Nandu's lips, but before she could speak Manik had already left the kitchen. She frowned and stood up to pick the rest of the plates. As she began to wash the dishes she started to think of ideas that might lighten up Manik's mood. "Idea!" she exclaimed to herself. "I'm going to cook his favorite chocolate cake. That will definitely change his mood." She placed the ingredients on the table one by one and started to mix them.

Manik was sitting watching television when Nandu appeared beside him holding a chocolate cake. A smile formed on his lips as he saw her standing there with flour smeared on her forehead. He pulled her beside him and lifted his finger brushing the flour off. He tilted his head towards her and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

"The cake is delicious." He added as he took a bite from his slice. Nandu's face shot a smile as she looked at him enjoying the cake.

I'm...I'm sorry Nandu.' He face turned serious again. "I promised you that I would take you on a honeymoon this weekend but I don't think I'm going to be able to fulfill my promise."

Nandu moved closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Who said I wanted to go on a honeymoon? Did I ask you to take me on a honeymoon? For me every day is a honeymoon because we are together." She held his hand as she comforted her head on his shoulder.

"I love you Nandu." He said as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Waise, speaking about honeymoon. I just remembered a story of chachi's friend who went for a honeymoon to London. She lifted her head away from his shoulder and continued to speak while Manik eyed her lovingly. "He had gotten recently married and he and his bride decided to go to London for their honeymoon. They were in their room when suddenly he heard his wife screaming because she found a mouse in the room. He wanted to call the room service to tell them but the problem was that bechara he didn't speak English and didn't know what a mouse was called. But he didn't have another choice so he decided to call the room service anyways.

Husband:" Hello, room service?? "

Room Service: "Yes sir, can I help you??"

Husband: "Mmm. Do..You...know Tom and Jerry?"

Room Service: Yes of course."

Husband: "Jerry is here" 🤣

Manik burst out in laughter almost falling off the couch. Nandu gazed at him as she laughed along with him.

"Nandu...you and your chachi's friend are unbelievable!" He managed to speak as he caught his breath. Nandu continued to gaze at him. How good she felt after seeing his laugh. She tilted her face towards him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I want you to always be happy like that. The sad face doesn't suit you at all." Manik felt his heart melt by her words. He cradled her face into his palm and planted two kisses on her eyes. "You know Nandu. I think I must have done something good in my life to have you. But I wonder what." He spoke with a chuckle.