18. TANTRUM’S KING!

Manik:- Nandini… where are you? Nandini…..

He keeps repeating her name in a frustrated tone until she comes out from the washroom tying the bathrobe around her waist.

Nandini:- keep patience, Manik. I was in the shower. 

Manik:- what were you doing there? 

Nandini ignores his stupid question and sat beside him. As soon as she sat down, Manik kept his head in her lap. She kisses his forehead and then checks his temperature which is normal because of her continuous efforts. 

Nandini:- ( lovingly while caressing his forehead ) why so cranky? My boy……..

In answer, he just snuggled in her stomach making her smile at his babiness. 

Nandini:- tell me, how are you feeling now? 

Manik:- ( cutely ) I am not fine. My body is hurting like hell. So pamper me.

Nandini:- ( smiles at her cute boyfriend’s demand ) and how can I pamper you? 

Manik:- ( while pouting ) by kissing me whenever and wherever I ask. 

Nandini:- so… with my kisses you will get fine? 

Manik:- yup!! Your kisses will give me energy and I will recover soon from this fewer. ( while pinching his throat ) I swear. 

He said all this so cutely that Nandini can’t hold herself from pecking his lips. His lips suddenly curved into a beautiful smile making her heart flutter in happiness. 

Being in a pampering mood, he pouts again more cutely while closing his eyes and waits for another peck. Nandini giggles seeing his cuteness but didn’t kiss him only to tease him. 

When he doesn’t get a kiss from her, he opens one eye only to look at her. Seeing him like this Nandini hides her giggles with difficulty because his cuteness is not helping her today. 

Nandini:- let’s go, Manik. And freshen up till then I will prepare a light breakfast for you. 

Saying this she tries to push him who is looking at her with anger. He swiftly moves and takes Nandini over him while looking at her with love, making her shocked. 

Nandini:- ( struggles in his hold ) Manik, what are you doing?  

Manik:- ( huskily ) don’t you know…..

He traces her face with his long finger.

Nandini:- Manik, you are not well right now. 

Manik:- ( huskily ) I am perfectly well when it comes to romance. 

While locking his gaze on her face, he loses her bathrobe knot giving her earth-shattering feelings. He slides her robe from her shoulder while tracing his finger there giving her goosebumps. 

He takes his long fingers towards south while locking his eyes with her. He traces her collarbone making her breathless. Before he could do anything more Nandini stopped him while holding his hand and he immediately stopped like a gentleman. 

Before he could think anything negative Nandini replies immediately. 

Nandini:- I didn’t stop you because I am uncomfortable or anything. I am more than comfortable around you. It’s just that you are not well, you need rest. 

She said all this so lovingly that Manik agreed in a second, making her smile. 

Nandini:- ( while getting up from the bed ) so, go and take a bath. It will refresh you. 

Listening to this he pouts cutely while sitting on the bed. 

Manik:- Nandini, I don’t want to shower.

Nandini:- I know fewer makes our body tired and lazy but trust me after the shower you will feel good. 

Manik finally gets up lazily and walks towards her. He stood in front of her and forward her cheek for a peck while pouting cutely. 

Manik:- I got ready for the shower. So, I need a reward. 

Nandini shakes her head at his cuteness and pecks his cheek making him grin. 

Nandini:- now go…..

Manik nods and pulls her too with himself towards the washroom. She looks at him with wide eyes and shouts. 

Nandini:- Manik, what are you doing?

Manik- ( innocently like a kid ) I am not well naa….. So help me to take a bath. 

Nandini:- ( while gasping at his tantrums ) are you serious? 

Manik:- Nandini, I don’t joke when I am not well. You know that. So, come on. I promise I will behave like a good boy. 

Nandini:- Manik, look I am here. You just go and come out fast. I will wait for you here only. 

She requests him with her puppy eyes which is his weakness. Seeing her eyes he melts as usual and nods but warns her sternly before going for a bath.

Manik:- ok…. For now, I am going but I want you here only when I come out. Ok? 

Nandini nods and pushes him into the washroom.  

Nandini:- today, is going to be a hard day for me, owing to Manik’s tantrums. Waheguru…. Gives me the strength to handle MY TANTRUM’s KING. 

She knows that now Manik will show her tantrums in everything like a kid because he becomes cranky whenever he gets sick. He just wants her to pamper him to no end. It’s not that she is complaining about it. She loves whenever Manik wants her attention and she loves to pamper him just like he does every time. 

With a big smile, she goes into the kitchen to prepare a healthy breakfast for Manik before he comes out from the shower. Seeing her in a rush Navya asks who just comes to prepare breakfast for everyone. 

Navya:- what happened, Nandini? Why are you in a rush? 

Nandini:- woh….. Navya, I am preparing some light breakfast for Manik as he is not well. 

Navya:- ( worriedly ) what happened to him? Anything serious? Should I call the doctor? 

She shoots questions after questions, worriedly. Yes! She has a tom and jerry relationship with Manik only because both want Nandini’s undivided attention. But at the same time, Manik is a true friend that everyone wants. 

Nandini:- don’t worry Navya, he is better now. His temperature is normal. He is just a little bit cranky. 

Navya:- ( sarcastically ) little bit? 

Nandini:- ( while biting her lips shyly ) ok…. Not a little bit. He is in full mood of pampering. 

Navya:- leave all that. I will handle it from here. You just go and pamper your lover boy. 

Nandini nods quickly because she wants to be in front of Manik before he comes out. She instructs her everything about Manik’s food and leaves for their room but not before telling her to bring their breakfast to their room.

She sighs in relief seeing the washroom’s door closed. She moves and starts making their bed for passing time. Within minutes Manik comes out wearing a black vest with his all-time favorite shorts. 

He looked here and there for Nandini and found her doing some work. His naughty mind lit like a bulb seeing her busy. He slowly walked and stood behind her with a grin. He cups her waist from both of his hands while turning her around in a swift and falls down on the bed taking her beneath himself. He tugged her hands above her head and looked at her intently. 

All this happened so suddenly that Nandini didn’t get a clue until she felt the soft mattress on her back and Manik’s body weight on top.

Nandini:- ( with shock ) Manik, what is all this? 

Manik:- ( with a broad smile ) Nandini, this is a bed ( caresses the soft mattress ) this is your big baby ( cups his face and pouts cutely ) and this baby wants your warmth. 

Nandini:- Manik, get up from me and ( angrily ) where is your t-shirt? Don’t forget that you are sick. So go and wear something which covers you properly. 

Manik:- ( with a thoughtful look ) I have a better idea. Why don’t you hide me in yourself and wrap me in your arms? 

Listening to his idea, a blushy smile appeared on her lips. Seeing her smiling he snuggles more in her. 

Manik:- I think you liked my idea. 

Before Nandini could say anything the door burst open and cabir walks in royally ignoring Navya. Seeing them she tries to separate herself from Manik. As much as she tries to push him away from herself he tightens his hold around her. 

Navya:- ( she too walks in behind cabir, unknowingly ) Cabir, this is not a good manner to walk in some couples room without a knock. 

Cabir:- Navya, if they didn’t lock the door then, what is my fault in that? 

He stops abruptly when he looks at Manik and Nandini’s position. He gave both of them a boring look and kept the food tray on the side table. 

Here, Nandini is trying everything possible to push Manik but today he becomes a stubborn head. With some blackmailing and swearing, she is able to separate herself from him. Both sit together on the bed and Cabir and Navya settle down in front of them with a food tray in between. 

Cabir:- ( to Manik ) don’t you have any other work except sticking to my sister?

Manik:- ( in the same tone ) don’t you have any other work except spoiling my romance? 

Cabir:- Unfortunately, this is my favorite work. 

Navya:- stop this useless discussion and start your breakfast. Sorry Nandini, for disturbing you like that. Actually, Cabir said to have breakfast together like a family. 

Nandini:- uff… Navya, what is in there to apologize? You don’t have to apologize for anything. Leave all that, let’s have our breakfast because I am damn hungry. 

Saying this she unlids the dishes and passes a masala oats bowl to Manik. Seeing the bowl he cringes his eyes and looks at Nandini with hopeful eyes. 

Manik:- I don’t want to eat this, Nandini.  

Nandini:- ( sternly ) then, who told you to have ice cream yesterday? You don’t have any choice. You have to eat light food the whole day like a good boy. 

She feeds him forcefully, making him cry. Everyone had plain masala oats except Cabir who is having hot-hot aloo paratha made by Nandini. 

Cabir moans in every bite he takes. He is very well aware of Manik’s piercing gaze on himself. He knows that Manik is killing him in his dreams but he doesn’t care. He is here only to tease the hell out of Manik and he is successfully doing that. 

To be continued…