𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆- 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝑶𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝟒𝟗. 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐌𝐀𝐍

I was having my morning coffee by the window, yet my eyes kept drifting back to him. He was sleeping so peacefully - a kind of peace I had seen on his face when we met in our childhood.

Suddenly, Mrityunjay shifted restlessly in his sleep. I set the cup on the windowsill and hurried to him.

"Jay..." my voice came out soft, but it carried my worry.

He didn't wake. A single tear escaped the corner of his closed eye, sliding down his cheek.

A wave of panic rushed through me.

And then he screamed.
"No... that curse can't separate us! You can't hurt her..."

He jolted awake, both hands clutching the sides of his head as though something inside was clawing at him.

Our eyes met, and before I could say anything, he sat up and buried his head into my chest. My arms went around him instantly, my fingers combing through his hair as if I could brush the fear away.

"I'm here. I'm with you, Jay. Calm down."

I could feel the uneven rise and fall of his breathe against my chest. I held him tighter, trying to protect him from whatever made him scream just now.

I gathered the courage to ask, "What's wrong, Jay?"

"Nothing..." His voice was low, broken.

"Okay," I said softly, but my tone turned steady, assuring. "But remember-nobody can separate us. I won't let anyone mess with us."

He just nodded, holding me tighter, like he was afraid he'd lose me if he let go.

I wanted to ask about that curse-whatever it was. But I stopped myself. What if it made him spiral further? I didn't want that. Not now.

"Jay... you know, right? You can tell me anything, everything. You can even cry in my arms. I'm not going to judge you." I tried to calm him.

"I know..." His voice cracked on the words.

I let him stay in my arms until he lifted his face after few minutes and looked straight into my eyes.

"Vidya..." his voice trembled, his eyes glassy. "Ye sab sach hai na? Tum... aur hum... sach hai na?"

I placed a hand over his. "Haan, Jay... ye sab sach hai."

"Unhone kaha..." his breath hitched, "...tum humse door ho jaogi." he cried out like a kid.

I frowned. "Kinhone?"

"Humari Chachi ne..."

My hands shot up to his face, cupping his cheeks firmly. He broke the eye contact, "Chachi?? Look at me, Jay. Kaunsi Chachi? Tumhari Chachi toh tumhare saath nahi rehti, fir?"