Mine, my beloved (On Hold)

8

Sunday early dawn

Ganga

On the following day, I rose early in the morning and draped a red half-saree around my body. As per Mama's words, I let my hair cascade freely on my back and pinned handmade jasmine strings on the dark tresses.

By 6.30 am, I left my home stating that I was off to the temple. It wasn't a lie—I'm going to the sacred place first before meeting Mama...

In the temple, I was one of the few people who came to worship the deities in the early dawn. After a few minutes, I departed from the sacred zone and sauntered in the direction of the river that nuzzles between the embrace of greeneries.

The water is a dark shade of green as well—matching elegantly with its surroundings. Upon reaching the water body, I place myself on the rim and let my legs submerge in the icy liquid.

The time would be seven now...but there's no trace of my mama. Even so, I've no problem in waiting for him!

Pulling all my hair to my left shoulder, I dart my eyes to the water body.

Naturally, my legs begin to move back and forth on the water and I perk up at the sky when I sense the weather becoming cloudy. In place of the Sun, sat a thick rainy cloud, indicating that the downpour might commence anytime soon.

As I was watching the sky, someone perched beside me and swung their hand over my shoulder. The someone was my mama...

The contact of his hand with the bare skin on my back and shoulder was simmering. I couldn't think straight at the closeness of our being.

“Said you have something to talk about—go ahead, I'm all ears,” his face was inches from mine and I felt dizzy...

My mind was empty, I couldn't form words, nor could I maintain eye contact with him. The feeling within me was a blend of timidness and apprehensiveness...

“Why are you being so silent? speak up,” I couldn't and he is the reason.

“That...mama...I...” I blabber as I attempt to converse and it makes me feel bashed.

“What?” he frowns, seeming confused. Embarrassed, I bow my head to avoid his intimidating eyes.

“I heard about 'dating' from my friend Maalini. She said it's very normal these days, especially in cities. So I wanted to ask...whether you've dated someone,” I don't watch his face as I put forth the unsettling question.

“Yes! I've dated around twenty-five girls,” out of shock, I snap my head in his direction and behold him with bewilderment.

“Mama, what!?” my fear deteriorates as Mama begins to smile cheekily.

“I was just kidding,” I let out a sigh of relief upon heeding his words.

“Don't play with me in such matters mama. I've been waiting for you forever and even though you were lying about dating girls, it still hurts me. Please don't say such things again,” I meet his eyes as I state those earnestly.

“Don't you trust me?” his face becomes stern, all the lightheartedness and cheesiness has vanished away from his exterior now.

“I do mama but you might stumble. The place you're in has beautiful girls and unlike me, they're very confident, well-educated, and compatible with your standards. Besides, they even speak so fluently in English as you do...and it's only natural for you to like them. I don't have any say in it even If you love them or date them. I won't be indignant with you either. I can understand mama,” a slight smile tugs at his lips as he watches me adoringly.

“...you sound quite wise, how did you change so much within a short while?” questioning that, his fingers begin to caress my bare shoulder. I slightly jerk at his action and found myself struggling to breathe.

“Mama...” I drag in a low voice, breathlessly.

“Do not distress yourself with irrelevant thoughts,” he sounds sincere...

“Does Mama like me then?” I managed to ask amidst the mess that was occurring within my stomach as a result of the continuous flapping of those butterflies' wings.

His fingers abruptly pause on my shoulder and he gazes at me silently.

“Why would I be talking to you If I detest you?” why can't he answer directly for once...

“Enough of these indirect responses mama. I'm so fed up with them,” he smiles at me.

“What could I do? It comes naturally to me whenever I'm conversing with you,” I offer him a dumbfounded look.

“Alright, set it aside! Now I want a solid answer to my question,” he regards me with gentle eyes.

“What is it?” quirking his eyebrows, he keeps his gaze steady on my countenance. “Am I in your heart?” he doesn't say anything...

Why is he being quiet!? It's unnerving.

“Mama, it's okay If I'm not in your heart. You don't have to hesitate to say the truth considering that it might hurt me. I've come here after stabilizing myself to bear whatever that might be your decision,” his hand on my shoulder meanders down and clutches the uncovered area of my waist.

My heart skipped a beat at his action...

“You're in my heart. You're torturing me from inside,” the happiness that I feel at the moment, has no boundaries!

Yet I was left incapable of exhibiting it due to the hand that grasped my waist. My chest began to rise up and down as a cause of his touch and I noted an alteration in Mama's face...

It was distinct.

Unlike anything that I'd seen before on him.

Astounding me, he pinches the skin on my waist harshly and I yelp before backing off and beholding him with alarmed eyes.

“Go home,” I obliged him without any protest and ran to my home.

My body is so hot...

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