Previous cut:- Sarmistha smiled and said,
"Yes… "I came home and the quiet screamed your name. I couldn't sit still. Couldn't think. Just kept aching for your voice… for you."
In both their eyes, tears and smiles mingled—together.
Rupam's voice grew even more emotional. On the phone, he said,
"You know, I was thinking the whole night yesterday that maybe you would leave me too.
Honestly, that day I disrespected you so badly in front of so many people. I hurt you a lot."
Sarmistha smiled softly and replied,
"It's okay, I understand. People lose control when they're drunk and do things like that. But you gave me your word, and I'm happy with that."
Rupam paused for a moment, then said,
"My previous girlfriend left me for the exact same reason. I begged for her forgiveness too, just like I did with you, but she still walked away. You're different. Meeting you has given me a real reason to quit this addiction."
A mischievous thought crossed Sarmistha's mind. She said,
"But didn't you tell me you never had any past love? You only used to talk to girls or have a little fun here and there. So…"
Rupam stammered,
"Forgive me, I hid that from you. But I'm telling the truth — she was nothing like you."
Sarmistha looked at him curiously and asked,
"Why do you say she wasn't like me?"
Rupam said in a gentle voice,
"Your understanding, the way you speak, and above all, the sound of your voice… I won't even talk about your beauty — every word would fall short."
Sarmistha burst out laughing and said,
"Stop it! No more compliments about my looks. The moment you get a chance, you start praising my beauty!"
Rupam smiled and swore,
"I swear on God, I never even imagined I would get a wife as beautiful as you."
Sarmistha laughed and said,
"Alright, enough of that. Listen, my college will finish early tomorrow. Want to go somewhere?"
Rupam asked eagerly,
"Where do you want to go?"
Sarmistha replied with a dreamy look in her eyes,
"There's a place I really love."
Rupam asked,
"Where?"
Sarmistha smiled and said,
"The lake at College Square. We'll spend some time there, then grab coffee at the Coffee House on College Street before heading back."
Rupam nodded and said,
"Whatever you say, madam. Your wish is my command."
Sarmistha laughed and said,
"Okay, fine. I'm hanging up now. See you tomorrow morning. Bye."
Rupam replied,
"Alright, bye."
The next day, Sarmistha's college ended at 1 p.m. She came out and hopped onto Rupam's bike, heading straight to the lake at College Square. Once there, she said,
"This place is really special to me."
Rupam noticed that Sarmistha seemed to be searching through old memories. After a while, she said,
"You know, when I was little, every Sunday I used to come here with my dad. He would tell me so many stories — how after their marriage, he and Mom came here countless times and spent hours together. Then he would buy me ice cream. We played so much here. But now I hardly ever come."
While she was speaking, Sarmistha turned to her side and saw — Rupam was gone. She looked around anxiously, and at that very moment she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Startled, she turned and saw Rupam standing there with two ice creams in his hands, smiling brightly.
Sarmistha threw her arms around him in a rush of emotion. Tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes as she said in a trembling voice,
"I thought…"
Rupam kissed her gently on the forehead and asked,
"What did you think? That I had left?"
Then the two of them sat down on a bench.
They spent a long time by the lake that day. Finally, after having dinner in the evening, they returned home at 10 p.m.
To be continued...