Chapter 39 - Mantu's Breakdown

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"I am angry Mantu. And hurt.", said Amaya as Mantu resumed removing her bangles. "I know, you are angry", said Mantu as he looked in her eyes and said, "I can read your eyes." "SO!?" "So!?", repeated Mantu again. "Don't repeat what I'm saying Mantu. I am genuinely angry.", said Amaya trying very hard to look angry. Mantu placed her hand on his shoulder and picked her up. Amaya retaliated but Mantu hushed her. Their eyes were locked. Amaya comforted herself but Mantu softly placed her on the bed. He covered her with a thick blanket. Winds were hard and it was getting colder.

Mantu sat by her side and tucked all her hair strands behind her ear. She tried getting up but he didn't allow her. His hand slowly reached at the place where her wedding lehenga was stuck with a string and ever so softly he pulled the string in one stroke. The string broke into several hundreds pieces of pearls and stones. Amaya sat up and she was about to say something when Mantu said, "Lehenga has delicate hand embroidery, if you will sleep in this it will scratch your skin." And he picked up the Lehenga from beneath the blanket and dropped it on the floor.

Amaya covered herself completely as he too places his head near hers and looks at her. Amaya looked at him as he stared at her. Intently. "Do you really don't want to talk?", said Amaya. Mantu nodded in a no. "I am very angry Mantu and you are making me more angry.", said Amaya again but he was not listening. He was busy caressing her cheeks. There was silence. They both were lying down with each other and Mantu was admiring her beauty. His gaze went to her filled maang and realised that he is blessed with her forever. Amaya was about to say something but Mantu hugged her. She was beneath him and shocked.

He sobbed. Amaya ran her one hand in his hair and other on his back and she comforted him and closed her eyes. "Mantuuu...", whispered Amaya and Mantu said, "I'll listen to you tomorrow I promise but... but today I can't...." He lifted himself up and looked in her eyes. Tears smeared all over his face. "I was about to lose you... forever. You were going to marry Rama. You would live here forever but not with me. I can't... can't fathom it." Mantu kissed the crook of her neck and Amaya dug him in the crook of her neck. And soothed him. He held her hand and kissed it. "I missed you.", said Mantu. "I missed you so bad." Mantu was still on her. There was again silence. He was occasionally lifting himself up and kissing her on her face.

Amaya didn't stop him neither she wanted to. She could see his pain. But she kept her eyes cold. "Mantu why are you not listening to me?", said Amaya. He nodded busying playing with her hair. He kissed her on her forehead. "MANTU!", said Amaya. He looked in her eyes, warmly as he said, "I can't listen to you right now Amaya. I am devastated. I'll fulfil every single duty of mine tomorrow. I promise." Amaya looked at him. He was genuinely lost. Amaya saw the scar which was clotted and she raised her hand to touch it. "I was about to lose you.", said Mantu as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Amaya covered him with a blanket and ran her hand on his face. She took her pillow and kept her head on that. His face was infront of her. She stared at him for a while. He was still holding her hand super tight. Amaya tried freeing her hand but in vain. She stared at the ceiling as sleep was not her guest tonight. She looked at Mantu who was sleeping like a kid. He was holding Amaya's hand from both of his hands. His phone rang. It was a notification message. Amaya looked at his phone. The screen flashed Rama. She slowly tried getting his phone from the side table on his side. She opened the phone and saw her photo on the lock screen, beaming. She smiled as she ran her hand on his hair. She opened his phone and saw that the home screen was her and Mantu's recent picture.

Amaya smiled again and opened the chat box. The message said- "Reached home safely, with Rachitaji. She is fine too." Amaya took a deep breath as she kept his phone on its previous place. He stirred up in his sleep. He opened his eyes as he said, "You didn't sleep yet!?" "Umm... the surroundings, bed and pillow are new so it's a little difficult. You don't worry. I'll sleep in a bit.", said Amaya as she bited her lower lip. "No, sleep right now. Is pillow hurting you.", said Mantu. Amaya nodded slowly. "Then try sleeping on my palm. It will be better and tomorrow I'll bring a new pillow.", said Mantu and he extended his arm to her. "Are you sure!?" "Yes". Amaya hesitantly placed her head on his palm. She felt instant warmness. He was already sleeping and slowly Amaya slept too.

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