Unconditional Love

Pine and Cedarwood. Exotic and soothing.  

Her eyes flung open on their own as he swooped her up in his strong arms. They popped out in surprise to see the face she had least expected to see. Nikaulas. She had questions but right now she just wanted to live in the moment and admire his handsome hero. It was not every day her husband swooped in to rescue her. And what visuals. His firm jaw looked more defined from here. Without delaying she looped her arms around his neck. She watched him, dazed and confused as he carried her towards the dias while keeping his gaze ahead. 

In a second, they were in front of the mic standing before hundreds of people. He carefully put her down and interlaced his hand with hers. She grabbed the dias with her free hand and leaned forward. A big grin on her face. She was nervous no doubt but for some reason, Nikaulas’ presence had calmed her frantic nerves. His large hand was now wrapped around her small ones and she felt…assured. Also she wanted to impress him. So there was no room for mistakes today. 

“Thank you very much for having me here, Mrs. Becker. We often underestimate the importance of “little.” A small act of kindness can make someone’s life. Just a little bit of hope is enough to bring about the change………..” Angela gave her speech while wearing an affable smile.  

“...........Love can make the impossible possible. Love pulls you back to your feet when others try to tear you down due to their jealousy…,” she added, referring to her husband, a soft blush tinting her cheeks. She was ecstatic. She was glosing from within. Nikaulas didn’t share her sentiments though. But at the same time he didn’t look as deadly as he usually looked.  

“This world needs a little bit of love to get better and know that people pull you down only when you are above them,” Angela finished. The crowd rose in acclamation and hall resounded with applause, more so when Nikaulas bent and hoisted her up in his arms. She was blushing hard.  

Nikaulas brought her down the stage and towards her seat. Graham was staring at Nikaulas with his mouth open and eyes wide as he sat her down. He was working for Angela for a long time to figure out her marital situation. 

Nikaulas didn’t sit with her. He left.

……..

The sunlight filtering through the gap between drapes woke Angela up. Her doe eyes shone like a morning dew on a green leaf under the soft light of the sun. They were wild and yet so serene just like a forest. Her lips twitched into a soft angelic smile as she snuggled deeper into her pillow. She was feeling lazy today. The entirety of her last night was spent grinning silly while reliving the memory her husband had gifted her all of a sudden. How many times she had gone over it. The way he had held her, saved her. It was a memory she was going to cherish forever. 

It was an ordinary practice for a husband to hold his wife like that but their marriage was far from ordinary.    

Maybe it was the beginning of her happily ever after. 

She dared to hope that perhaps her days of pining had come to pass. Maybe the God above had finally listened to her prayer. She quickly sat up and joined her hands in prayer. She recited the lines Ara had taught her years ago and finished the prayer with a heartfelt thank you and a flying kiss to God before going about her life. 

Nikaulas didn’t come home with her last night so she was certain that he had already left. Why he showed up last night she was still not sure. But she was taking it as a good sign. After all, he did come to save her last night. After taking her shower, she came out of her room, humming a tune.

Her bodyguard, Jonas, smiled when he saw his madam smiling and singing. 

“It has to be a special day today,” Jonas commented, smiling. She had a very friendly relation with her staff.  

I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good soul in my feet….

She replied in song, grinning while moving her upper body in sync. Jonas chuckled. It was a rare sight to see her this happy. But then she stumbled, causing Jonas to sweep forward to catch her. However, she caught herself before Jonas could help her. 

“Do you want me to fetch your chair?” Jonas asked in a concerned tone. Angela was obsessed with walking on her legs in her house but too much exertion could strain her muscles. Whereas, Jonas seemed all concerned and Angela was grinning. Standing for this long was a feat for her but she had managed so far no matter how much it hurt. That was the drill. If you stay patient and keep your energy positive no feat is impossible, including love. 

Come fly with me, let’s fly..let’s fly.. She switched to classic. The traces of concern flitted away and wonder filled Jonas’ features. Her madam’s spirit was inspiring. He had never seen a girl this vivacious and positive. She must be the only woman on earth singing through her misery. Chair bound, abandoned by her husband and having lost her child. That charming smile had hid so much. She was a devotee but God was yet to favor her with his blessings.   

Still humming, walking and stumbling, she managed to reach the kitchen. Jonas went in the direction of her room to fetch her wheelchair.  

“What are you making, Carla?” Angela asked excitedly as she walked in. Carla quickly left the work in hand and rushed to her to help her. This time, Angela accepted the help as the pain had intensified. 

“Here,” Jonas came in time with the wheelchair. 

“What would I do without you, Jonas,” Angela lowered herself into the chair and smiled gratefully at Jonas.  

“You give me too much importance, ma’am,” Jonas replied, smiling. 

“No, seriously. I would be six feet under if not for you. I can’t tell you, Lina, how bravely he fought the enemies. Very tough. guy,” Angela knew Jonas conceived an affection for Lina and Lina also had a thing for shy Jonas. Lina was a cook working under Carla. They both were too shy to admit their feelings for each other. Angela had taken the responsibility upon herself. Lina and Jonas both were blushing.   

“It’s my job, ma’am,” Jonas shyly scratched the back of his neck. Angela was enjoying their flustered state.

“We..we are doing the special today as Mr. King is home,” Lina changed the topic. The revelation caught Angela’s whole attention.  

“What? He is here?” Angela exclaimed, astounded. Lina nodded, fighting back a smile. Everyone in the mansion knew just how much Angela loved him. 

Her forest green eyes shone with ecstasy and a gleeful smile claimed her lips. She quickly steered her chair towards the counter. 

“Carla, I will make breakfast today,” she stated and attempted to rise. 

“Ma,am..you don’t have to trouble yourself I can..”

“It’s not a trouble, Carla. This is something I want to do,” her voice was vibrant and lively. Nikaulas never stayed long enough to eat in the mansion. She had always longed to cook for him just like a dutiful wife. She also wanted him to fall in love with her food.   

“Get me the vegetables,” she instructed Lina. Jonas left. She chopped vegetables while sitting. No matter how much the maids offered their help, Angela wanted to do everything herself. 

She had cooked apple pancakes, potato omelete, hoppelpoppel, and his favorite black coffee without sugar. She had crushed the beans herself as he drank only freshly crushed coffee. The maids watched her with a smile on their face. 

Once done, she asked Carla to call him and Lina to serve the food. She would have served herself if she could. The woman checked her appearance in the glass door. 

“You are looking beautiful, ma’am, as always. Sir is going to love both your food and you,” Lina stated warmly.

“You think so?” Angela asked with hopeful eyes.  Angela never told anyone anything but the servants had eyes and they had noticed their master’s indifference towards their madam. Lina could never understand why Angela was still putting up with him. She belonged to an influential and loving family, was independent, and any man would love to have her. 

Every morning I wake up with two thoughts in my mind. One, the God above and…..him. No matter what, I can't give up on my God and I cannot give up on him.                   

She had said those lines to hers. Lina had felt her truth in her words. Her love for him ran deep. It was unhealthy like a moth’s for a flame. The moth knows the flame will burn him but it doesn’t deter him. He gladly dies for it.      

Unrequited love is beautiful. Tragically beautiful.   

She held him on the par with God. But he was no God. He was the devil who took pleasure in people’s suffering.

Angela sat beside the head chair and waited for him to come down. She smoothed her hair with her fingers while feeling her insides vibrating with adrenaline rush. Her heart was impatient to jump out of her chest. Her eyes were quick to whip towards the stairs when she heard the footsteps. Disappointment flickered inside her when she saw Carla descending the stairs with a small frown. Angela looked at her expectantly. 

“He told to bring his breakfast to his room,” Carla answered, feeling bad for her mistress. 

“Oh,” her heart flooded with disappointment and her shoulders slumped. She took a moment to overcome her disappointment. She willed her lips into a fake smile and asked Carla to do as he said.  

Angela did her breakfast all alone in the dining room.