"What are you saying, Ma!!" Sayam looked at everyone in the living room in shock. Chitra Devi handed him a photo and said, "This is Riha, Ishani's younger sister. Their family sent this picture for you to see."
"But why would I go to see her? I don't understand," Sayam said, holding the picture but not really looking at it.
"Because they said their elder daughter isn't ready for marriage yet. But if you want, you may consider Riha," Kuheli Devi added.
"Impossible. I won't do that. And how could they even think of offering their younger daughter in the same proposal…"
Sohini called Ishani and burst out in anger, "Have you gone crazy, Ishani? What do you want? And why are you ruining my reputation in my in-laws' house!!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Ishani looked up from her book.
"Nonsense?? How could you reject Brother Sayam? I explained so much to you, but you understood nothing!" — Sohini shouted.
"I did understand, but Riha wants—" Ishani began, but Sohini cut her off sharply, "Shut up. Don't you dare say Riha's name! What kind of girl is she! She's trying to steal the marriage proposal that came for her own sister. Shameful!"
"Why did you inform that house without even telling me? This must be your mother and sister's idea! They know I would object, so they sent the message secretly. Tell your mother and sister this time their plan won't work. You will get what is meant for you, no one else will take it," Sohini said and disconnected the call. Ishani didn't even get a chance to speak. She sighed and went back to her book—just then Riha's screams echoed from downstairs. Ishani closed her book and rushed down.
Riha was arguing loudly with Souvik Babu.
"Of course you'll take her side! You never care about me, all your concern is for Ishani!" Riha hissed through clenched teeth.
"Yes, that's right," Souvik Babu said and started walking away, when he heard Riha shout at Ishani, "Why don't you just disappear!! Because of you I lose everything!"
"Riha…!" Souvik Babu roared angrily.
Riha stood firm and replied, "What wrong did I say! She snatches everything from childhood—even my father isn't hers to take. And now she wants to take away the groom meant for me!"
Tears formed in Ishani's eyes. Old wounds suddenly felt raw again.
"How did Riha know all this? How did she find out those things? You told her, didn't you!" Souvik Babu shouted at his wife.
Bidisha Devi remained silent.
Riha added again, "There's nothing to say! She can never truly be my sister."
"Yes, she isn't my blood. Her gentle, polite behavior proves that. If she were my blood, she would've been rude, uncultured, selfish—just like you," Souvik said, trembling with anger and grief.
Anupriya Devi had lovingly chosen the name Ishani for her daughter, matching her husband's name. But who knew fate would be so cruel? When Ishani was two, her parents went to the temple, leaving her with Souvik and Bidisha. They met with an accident that day and never returned. Ishani was left with her uncle and aunt. Bidisha had been pregnant at the time. They always cared for little Ishani, and after her parents' death, they protected her even more.
"You think you can't see me in your friend's place, right? That's why you're not letting the marriage happen," Riha said.
"Yes. I will not let you take Ishani's place. If I must go against your entire family for this, I will."
"And the funniest thing? Sayam himself doesn't want you in Ishani's place," Sohini said.
Riha grew even more furious. She hissed like a snake, "And what have you told your Brother Sayam? That your friend Ishani is an orphan, and she'll pretend my parents are hers so she can become the daughter-in-law of that big house?"
"What! Did you really say that?!" Sohini screamed in shock.
Souvik Babu heard this and smiled sadly. In his mind he thought, "I will arrange Ishani's marriage in this house. My daughter will live happily among good people. This marriage will happen."
Sohini said over the phone, "Do whatever you want, Riha. Ishani's marriage with Sayam will definitely happen. Try to stop if you can. I'm challenging you. Let's see how low you can go, and how much I can do for my friend."