MaNan os - Till My Last Breath

Writer’s pov.

A lady in her mid-70s entered the hospital with a smile wrapped around her face. She was holding a bag in her hand. Which was very heavy for her. But still, she managed to bring it here.

Many doctors and other staff members of the hospital smiled seeing that old lady. They respect that lady very much because this is her hospital. She was the one who started this hospital. Today, she came here not to see her hospital but to meet her husband, who is not well and admitted to hospital from last 1 month.

Every day she stays here with him, despite with the fact that she was herself not well. Even she is going with health issues but still, her love for her husband is much more than her pain. Of course, everyone get health issues at age of 75.

As she entered inside with the bag in her hand, a doctor took that bag from her. As it was heavy for that lady.

“Thank you beta (child).” She said in her old wavery, shaking voice.

They headed towards lady’s husband’s room. Doctor opened the door for the lady. A guy in his mid-70s was sleeping there surrounded by ‘n’ number of machines.

The Doctor kept that bag aside and said. “Dadi ji, if u need something then call me.” Doctor said.

Yes all the staff call them dada and dadi. That doctor is very nice girl, and very near to the lady and guy. She knows how much this old couple loves each other. She is like a grand daughter to them.

The Doctor left saying this. While that lady took a seat besides the old guy. She caressed his hairs making him awake from his sleep. She gave him, her big smile which he always wanted to see. She leaned towards his ear and whispered.

“Happy 50th anniversary.” She said making him smile.

It was their 50th marriage anniversary. They completed 50 years of their love. In this 50 years, they faced all kind of happiness and sadness together. Never leaving each other’s side.

“Happy anniversary.” He said in a weak low tone with great difficulty.

That lady took out the box from the bag. She opened the box and it was small cake, on which it was written “MANAN”.

Yes, they are Manik and Nandini.

“U don’t want to cut the cake Manik?” Nandini asked.

“I can’t u know.” Manik whispered in low tone. He can’t move when all these machines are attached to his body. He had a disease which wasn’t curable.

“Okay then I will do it.” Nandini said and took a knife in her wrinkled hand. She cut the cake saying “Love u Manik.”

“Love u mo..more.” Manik said.

Nandini dipped her finger in chocolate and took off his oxygen mask. She kept his finger near her mouth as he sucked the chocolate from it. Nandini smiled weakly. She kept that cake aside. And took out a rose.

“For u.” She said and kept that rose near his head. He gave her a weak smile.

“How are children?” Manik asked.

“They are fine. Ur naughty grandson wanted to meet u while skipping his college. But I told him no.” Nandini said with a smile.

Manik smiled too. Nandini kept her head on his chest.

“So what doctor said. How many days I have?” Manik asked in a weak tone. Nandini’s smile vanished as he said that.

“Plse Manik. U are not going anywhere.” Nandini said in an emotional tone.

“Nandu I am 75, how Many years u want me to live now? I can’t take all this pain.” He said. Nandini didn’t said anything. She kept ruffling his hairs. After some time, she started coughing badly making Manik worried. He took his hand towards the glass of water. With shacky hand, he gave her water to drink. She smiled and drank some water.

“Why don’t u go to doctor?” He said.

“I am fine Manik, don’t worry.” She said again keeping her head on his chest.

“U remember the day when we met for 1st time.” Manik asked with a weak smile.

“How can I forgot that?” She said.

“It was the best day.” They both said together and smiled.

“Our marriage, our babies. Everything was so beautiful.” Manik said.

Nandini nodded in yes with tears as she remembered her old days. “Our grandchildren.” She said with a smile.

“Now our children don’t even have time for us.” Nandini said in sad tone.

“It’s okay Nandini. Now we are not that important for them.” Manik said. “But I have u.” Manik smiled.

“Till my last breath.” She promised.

“If I go, then plse take care of urself. U know I love u so much.” He whispered.

“Why are u saying this?” Nandini said cryingly.

“Because I know, I don’t have much time. But don’t worry I have booked u for all my life. So in next life, we will be together just like today.” Manik said.

“Nandini is only your.” Nandini said.

“Even Manik is only your.” Manik said.

Nandini took his oxygen mask and pecked his lips. “I love u Manik.”

“I love u more.” He said and sucked her lips.

Suddenly, Manik started breathing heavily. “Manik what happened?” Nandini said in a panicked tone. She stood up to call a doctor but was stopped as Manik held hed hand.

“Don’t go plse.” He said breathing heavily.

“U need doctor.” Nandini said cryingly.

“I need u.” He said nodding his head in no. “U know I can’t survive more. I want to die with u in my arms.” He said in a weak tone. Nandini cried as he said that.

“Don’t say this plse. U are not going anywhere.” She cried.

“Shh stay here plse.” He said and she again kept her head on his chest seeing him taking his last breaths.

“Its paining.” He cried.

“Shh I am with u.” Nandini said cryingly holding his hand.

“I love u.” Manik said taking deep breaths.

“Till my last breath.” He said and closed his eyes as machine detecting his heartbeats turned in a straight line.

“I love u more.” She said cried badly. Seeing ur husband, ur love dieing is the worst thing. She cried very badly losing him forever.

After an hour, that same doctor entered inside the room to check on them. But she was shocked to see Manik’s heartbeat detector showing straight line. She almost ran near them and saw Nandini still in same position with her head on his chest.

“Dadi ji.” She called her but no response. She took off Manik’s oxygen mask. “Dadi ji.” She again called tapping her shoulder.

But no response. She held her hand to see what happened to her. But didn’t find her pulse. She panicked and turned her around to find her eyes closed. She took her fingers near Nandini’s nose but she wasn’t breathing.

The doctor was shocked to find both dead there. She loved them very much. Tears fell from her eyes seeing them like this. She wiped her tears and said with a smile.

“They both loved each other so much. They lived together, they died together.”

The end.

A small one short. A small moment of MaNan’s life. This scene came in my mind yesterday, so thought to pen it down.

Chp is not checked so if any mistake then sorry

BY J.