Trials of Love (One - Shots)

9. The Modern Cinderella

Hello Fam :)

This isn't an Army one-shot. As the title says, this is the story of Cinderella. We have read it several times but what is the story of Cinderella in the 21st century? Would she fall for the Prince charming after only a dance?

A/N: The story roughly follows the classic version of Cinderella with some liberties taken and diverges after the ball dance.

A/N-2: Even though I don't call people hot, they are humans, not temperature, but the person above is an exception because just look at him. And yes, he plays Nandini's father. :P

@Itz_Me_Adi Le, tera Prince charming. :)

Happy Reading...

"You have had enough freedom, Manik. You will marry the girl who is fit for carrying the legacy of our family."

"If I am sharing my life with someone, why do you think I would consider a girl capable of carrying a legacy instead of someone who would love me or understand me", he yelled. This wasn't a new topic but it was definitely serious this time looking at the looks of his father.

"You will do as I say and there won't be any further questions regarding this", said his father calmly before leaving the room.

Manik groaned and threw the glass of water in his hand against the wall. It shattered into a number of pieces, just like his life. With nothing better to do, he glared at the portrait of his great-great-great-grandfather, the founder of the village Amritpuri, the picture of whom Manik insisted to have it in his room so that he could glare at him whenever his family tried to bound him with the responsibilities of the legacy he created.

Amritpuri was not a well-known village on the map of India but the surname Malhotra was a legacy for the village. Situated in Punjab but just a few kilometers short of Haryana, it was neglected amidst the reluctance to provide the facilities between the governments of the two states. Instead of being neglected like some of the unfortunate villages in the country, Amritpuri flourished under the guidance and authority of the Malhotras.

Legend says the ancestors of the Malhotra clan were the Adam and Eve of the Amritpuri, the firstborns popped out of heaven. After establishing his kingdom, Adam Malhotra took all the villagers under his wing, taking care of their every need. He established companies, built hospitals, schools, temples, and made sure every single man in the village was employed. Years passed and the coming generations took the responsibilities with pride. Just like the families had the head of the houses, Raj Malhotra, fondly called by the villagers as the Maharaj Malhotra, was the current head of the Amritpuri family.

"I heard a crash. Did your brain finally explode from all the pent-up frustration?"

Manik knew that voice. He would anywhere after listening to it almost the whole of his life. Abhimanyu Thakkar was his best friend since childhood, the husband to his only sister, Mukti, and the savior in his life when he wasn't trying to be the bane of his existence. Like right now.

"It would explode if I stay here for one more day", he told, gritting his teeth.

His best friend sighed before taking a seat on the bed, facing the same portrait as him. "So, it's the blame game now."

"Adam Malhotra ruined my life", he declared.

"I am damn sure I was told that his name was Jaisingh Malhotra", muttered Abhimanyu, earning a glare from his best friend. "Okay, chill. Why don't you sit down for a minute?"

"I am not sitting down. I am packing my bags and leaving this hell right now", he told. To show his best friend that he was serious, Manik even walked around the room to gather his belongings.