ManYa - Dheere Dheere se... (Continuing)

Chapter 8 - Mantu & Uma getting married?

"What the hell!?? How can you consider it as a Yes when I clearly said NO. Okay I'll say that once again! I CAN'T MARRY UMA. AND I WILL NOT MARRY UMA. Because I love someone else… and I'll only marry her, only her that's it. That's my decision.", declared Mantu as Uma and Masi stopped their celebration. "Mantu...", said badi maa but Mantu stopped her and said, "I respect you immensely badi maa but this time I'm sorry I'll not hear anything. For the 1st time I want to do something for myself. Since childhood, I did what others wanted me to do whether I liked it or not but this time I am firm. I don't want to marry for Chiklu, not for this house, not for you, not for anyone else but just for myself. I want someone who loves me and I love her, someone who corrects and improves me as well. Who can truly become my better half and I can become hers. And she has done it all perfectly. I'm sorry and please forgive me this time. This is the 1st time I want to love someone so passionately and I promise I'll not ask anything after this."

Everyone felt silent. Badi maa was happy that finally someone taught Mantu to take a stand for himself and for his wishes. She wanted to meet that person or at least know her name. She knew to survive in this evil world you have to think of yourself at least at some point of your life. "Mantu, you agree this time to marry Uma, we will not ask for anything else.”, said Masi when she saw her plans crashing. Her reasons were simple, from what Uma told her, that firangan is educated , smart and has business sense. If she will become the bahu of this house, money can't be sourced from her to the Masi. Neither the little jewellery left of her sister's. But if Uma will be the bahu, she can gather everything through her as Uma is already in her control. She never cared about Uma or Mantu, she cared about money and her rule over the house. Simple house politics.

"I said no Masi, and no means no.", said Mantu firmly. After a pause badi maa asked, "Acha, I support you beta. Tell me who is the lucky one , huh". "Badi maa, you promised me that you will convince him. He is thinking about the same girl, that firangan I told you about. See badi maa, how she has done black magic on Mantu. Stop him.", said Uma, sitting near her feet. "Uma, I did what you said. And okay fine I agree to what you said. But I can't neglect Mantu’s happiness as well. If he is so firm about it there must be a reason and he has complete right to say his mind and take a decision for his own life.", After a pause she said, "Look Uma, if you will forcefully marry Mantu without his happiness, he will never keep you happy or will love you. You will be this house's bahu, Chiklu’s bhabhi and even so called Mantu’s wife but will never be his love and if love is not there, marriage is useless.", said badi maa to Uma hoping that she will understand but she remained adamant. "But badi maa, that girl is cheap, she had so many boyfriends before and has always used him. You don't even know with how many people...she slept."

"UMAAA!!! A single word against Amaya and I'll forget that you ever existed for me. I love her, do you get that. How can you go so low, is that your standard. All this while I was quiet as I valued what we shared. But not another word against Amaya. And That's what you think of me. My choice, my love. That's the difference Uma. That's the difference between you and Amaya. Its not the short dresses or the skin show. Underneath all that city bred fashion, Amaya has a pure heart and soul. Amaya might have known for me two months. But she knows me. Really knows me. And you.. You say you are a simple small town girl but this is what you hold in your heart? You have known me for 20 years and yet, this is what you think of me? I don't even know you anymore Uma. I seriously don't! You played games with your best friend. You provoked me to hate Amaya. You tried creating a rift between us. I am sure that you even played with Amaya right?? You must have insulted her as well right. But Amaya did everything truly, first hatred, second friendship and now love. She never told me that you are wrong or evil. How can you stoop so low!? How could you!? And why!? Didn’t our friendship mattered nothing to you. I trusted you so much with everything, you were the only one with whom I shared everything even this and you used that against me.", said Mantu furiously repenting whatever he told Amaya.

"Because you can't love her! The two of you.. You can't be together.. That's not how its meant to be. You were, are and always will be mine. That city bred witch cannot snatch you from me!" Uma said viciously. Mantu stared at Uma incredulously. "I'm not lying...It's the truth. Its what’s written in our fate. If you don't trust me, come with me to the Maha Panditji. He will tell you. He looked at our horoscopes. He said our horoscopes match - yours and mine! And that we should get married in the next 20 days!" Uma said grabbing onto Mantu's arm hysterically. "I have everything ready Mantu. I've selected the cards and printed samples. I have arranged the hall, decorations, catering. I have even selected our wedding outfits. All you need to do is just say yes! Say yes Mantu! Say yes to your Uma!"