The next morning.
Soft sunlight filtered through the hospital window into the ward.
Suddenly, there was a gentle knock at the door.
Medha stepped in, followed by Anirban Sir.
Anurag Sir was standing beside Sneha's bed. His eyes still carried the fatigue of the previous night, but his face held a shadow of peace. Sneha lay half-reclined on the bed.
Medha's eyes were swollen, her face pale and drawn.
The faint red imprint of the slap still lingered on her cheek. She walked slowly to Sneha's bedside and stopped.
Then, without a word, she sat down on the edge of the bed. She took Sneha's right hand in both of hers and burst into quiet sobs.
"Didi… please forgive me… please…
I wanted to kill you… I wanted to push you off the mountain…
How could I commit such a terrible sin… You're my cousin, my own blood…
Forgive me, Didi… I swear I'll never do anything like this again… never…"
Her voice choked as she spoke. Tears streamed down uncontrollably. Her shoulders shook.
Sneha remained silent for a moment. Her own eyes filled with tears. Then, very gently and with infinite tenderness, she lifted her other hand and began stroking Medha's head.
"Stop, Medha… stop.
I've already forgiven you.
You're my sister. You made a mistake—a huge one. But so what? You're my darling little sister. How could I stay angry with you? And stop crying, you silly girl."
Medha looked up. Tears continued to fall from her eyes. She couldn't speak; she simply nodded, gripping Sneha's hand even tighter.
Anirban Sir stood behind them, watching everything. Relief shone in his eyes. He glanced once at Anurag Sir. Their eyes met in silent understanding.
---
Two days later.
7:45 a.m. In front of Hotel 'Himalaya Bliss'.
Two large buses stood side by side. One belonged to Pratapnagar Girls' High School, the other to Meghmala Girls' High School. The open area in front of the hotel was now buzzing with noise and excitement.
Girls ran around in groups, some dragging their bags, some taking selfies, some hugging friends and crying. "When will we come back again?" "Jaygaon felt like a dream!"—such words filled the air. Some posed in front of the hotel's flower beds for one last photo, while others sipped tea and munched biscuits for the final time.
The teachers were hurrying everyone along.
"Hurry up and get on the buses! Make sure your bags are properly stowed!"
On one side were the girls from Meghmala, on the other from Pratapnagar. The friendship that had blossomed between the two schools over the past few days was evident. Some exchanged phone numbers, others promised, "We'll go on a trip together again."
Anirban Sir and Medha walked together. Anirban Sir stood six feet tall. Beside him, Medha was only four feet eight inches. But today she looked radiantly happy. Her dream had finally come true—she had won the man she loved.
Medha kept her head lowered in a mix of shyness and joy. Yet her right wrist was wrapped completely around Anirban Sir's long, strong arm, holding it tightly against her chest. It was as if she wanted to keep the warmth, strength, and safety of his hand pressed right against her heart. Anirban Sir's fingers rested lightly but firmly around her wrist. A soft pink glow tinted her cheeks, her eyes were downcast, but the corners of her lips held a strange, peaceful, happy smile.
On the other side, Anurag Sir was guiding Sneha with utmost care. She was still a little weak and didn't have full strength in her legs. Anurag Sir had one arm wrapped around her waist and carried her bag with the other. Sneha kept glancing at him with a shy smile. The same tenderness and deep affection shone in Sir's eyes.
The girls slowly began boarding the two buses. Some waved from the windows, others took one last look at the hotel.
The Jaygaon journey ended here.
But for some, a new chapter had just begun in their lives—and only they knew it.
The bus engines roared to life.
_
_
_
7:15 p.m. Ray family flat.
The moment the door opened, a gentle warmth welcomed them inside. Sneha and Medha set down their bags and slipped off their shoes. The tiredness of the journey still lingered in their bodies, but their faces wore a different kind of peace.
Aunty Nitu came out of the kitchen and lit up with a bright smile the instant she saw them.
"Oh, you're back! Why are you so late returning from Jaygaon? Come, come, wash up first. I've made your favourite chicken curry and payesh today."
Sneha said, "Aunty, the bus was a little late."
Medha stepped forward and hugged Mrs. Nitu tightly.
Seeing her daughter in such a cheerful mood, Mrs. Nitu was overjoyed.
Medha looked at Sneha and said sweetly,
"Didi, you go to the bathroom first. I'll go later. You vomited so many times on the way and you've been so unwell."
Sneha looked at her in surprise. Hearing that "Didi" from Medha's mouth felt incredibly good.
Because Medha had never spoken to her properly before. She had always looked at her with jealous eyes.
But today, in those same eyes, Sneha saw only love.
Aunty quickly went to Sneha and asked anxiously,
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
Sneha nodded gently. "I'm fine, Aunty. Don't worry.
Medha, you go first. I'll rest for a bit."
Medha smiled, nodded, and headed to the bathroom.
A little later, after she had washed up, Medha came out and personally helped Sneha up and took her inside.
Mrs. Nitu stood silently, watching the entire scene. Medha had never behaved like this before.
Uncle Surajit lowered his newspaper and smiled softly at the two sisters.
"See, Nitu? This is what we wanted. If two sisters take care of each other like this, what more do we need?"
---
**9:30 p.m. Dining table**
The four of them sat down to eat together. Medha, seated next to Sneha, kept serving chicken onto her plate.
"Didi, eat this piece—it's very tender. You hardly ate anything on the bus journey, and you kept vomiting. Your body has become so weak."
Sneha looked at her in amazement, then smiled and said, "You eat too. Why are you doing so much for me?"
Medha lowered her head and said very softly, "Earlier I never gave you anything… instead I was jealous of you. Now I feel like I should take care of you as much as I can, Didi. Because you're my elder sister. And I've realised how much you love me."
(Actually, Anirban Sir had explained everything to Medha so clearly that this change had come over her.)
The table fell silent for a few seconds after those words. Aunty wiped her eyes. Uncle cleared his throat and said,
"It feels really good to see how deep the bond between the two sisters has become after the Jaygaon trip. Medha, the way you love Sneha now brings us so much peace."
Mrs. Nitu said,
"Yes, exactly. The girl has finally come to her senses."
Medha put down her spoon, held Sneha's hand, and said,
"Mom, I was foolish before. I was jealous of Didi's beauty and looks. I thought God had given everything only to her. But I've realised it was all my stupidity. Actually, God has created everyone with their own unique beauty, and everyone is beautiful in their own way."
Seeing their daughter's growth, both Mrs. Nitu Ray and Mr. Surajit Ray were extremely happy.
---
**11:20 p.m. Hall room**
The two sisters lay on the same bed. A romantic movie was playing on TV. Medha rested her head on Sneha's shoulder.
"Didi, Anurag Sir loves you a lot, doesn't he?"
Sneha blushed deeply and said, "Shush. You shouldn't talk about such things."
Medha laughed. "I'm not telling anyone else! I'm only saying it to you. I also have Anirban Sir… I mean… he has made me understand so much. We're both really lucky, aren't we?"
Sneha gently stroked her head and said softly,
"Yes, we are. But the biggest thing is that you don't feel jealous of me anymore. That's my greatest gain."
Medha sat up and hugged Sneha tightly.
"Never again, Didi. Never again. You're my sister. My one and only sister."
Tears welled up in both their eyes—but this time they were tears of joy.
---
**The next morning**
While making tea in the kitchen, Aunty said to Uncle,
"Did you see? The two sisters have become so close now. Sneha is smiling. Medha herself is serving food for her. I feel like something happened in Jaygaon that completely changed their relationship. Look how much they love each other. They've become such good friends. It makes me so happy to see this."
Uncle nodded and replied, "You're right. It feels wonderful to see such closeness between the two girls. We only want the best for them. We want them to always stay together."
Laughter from the two sisters drifted in from outside the kitchen.
Sneha and Medha were sharing a tiffin box and teasing each other.
The old jealousy, the crying in front of the mirror, the words overheard from behind the door—all of it now felt like a distant dream.
Now there were only two sisters.
Under one roof.
In one heart.
**To be continued…**