"What! No no, I can't do it. I already told you everything," Ishani said, holding the phone to her ear. From the other side Sohini replied, "Can't? Why not! Brother Sayam wants to meet you. Will your dignity be ruined if you meet him once?"
"What will happen if I meet him? I already said—"
Before Ishani could finish, someone snatched the phone from her hand. Ishani stared at Riha, who said, "Who are you talking to? Who are you planning to meet? Oh… Sohini Didi!"
Sohini grew angry and said, "Give the phone back!"
—
"He wants to meet her, did you hear that?" Sohini said.
"Why? What's the point of meeting him? Ishani said she won't marry him." — Riha
"You all have been feeding her wrong ideas, and brother wants to clear that misunderstanding. Tomorrow at 10 a.m., Ishani will go meet him," Sohini said and hung up.
Riha glared at Ishani and said, "You will NOT go tomorrow, understand?"
She didn't wait to hear Ishani's reply and stormed away. Ishani sighed and murmured, "What is all this…"
"No, there is a need. I'll go with her. Come on," Riha said.
"You'll go?" Ishani asked in surprise.
"Yes, I will. Let's go." Riha glanced at her mother and smiled sweetly, "How do I look? Today is my first meeting with Sayam. I must look beautiful."
Bidisha Devi stroked her daughter's head. "You look lovely. Go. Ishani, don't create any trouble. Listen to whatever Riha says."
Ishani picked up her bag and went out. Riha looked at her mother with a sly smile and said, "Today Ishani herself will take me to Sayam…"
As Ishani pushed the glass door open and entered, Sayam gave a faint smile. It had been a long time since he last saw her. But—another girl with her? Sayam assumed she must be Ishani's friend.
He smiled and said, "Ah, you're here! I thought I'd have to leave after waiting too long."
"No no, why would we keep a busy man like you waiting!" Riha said quickly. Her sugary tone could out-sweeten a bowl of syrup.
"Sit, Ishani," Sayam said, pointing at a chair. Ishani quietly sat down. Sayam had never seen her this silent before.
Ishani stood up. "I'll go now."
Sayam didn't say anything more. Riha was staring at them from a distance, so Sayam decided not to continue the conversation. Ishani signaled Riha, and they both left the café.
Riha said to Sayam, "We left so early… having coffee would've been nice, right?"
"I don't eat anything at this hour," Sayam said coldly, his eyes filled with irritation as he looked at Ishani.
Noticing it, Ishani frowned. "Let's go. I'll miss my university class."
"You seem in a hurry. Let me drop you first, then I'll drop her," Sayam said.
"No, no! Drop her first. I don't mind," Riha said quickly.
But Sayam ignored her. "Where is your college?" he asked.
Riha told him the name. Sayam said, "Your college comes first. I'll drop you first."
Riha couldn't say anything else, because Ishani's university was farther away. Sayam's car stopped at Riha's college. Riha stepped out smiling, "We'll meet again soon."
Sayam nodded politely, then drove off with Ishani.
"What if people misunderstand? I don't care! First tell me where we're going," Ishani said.
"You have eyes just like I do. You'll see when the time is right," Sayam replied.
"Why are you talking in riddles?" Ishani said.
"You deserve it," Sayam said and focused on driving.
The car stopped at a large nursing home. Sayam opened the door for her. Ishani leaned forward and asked, "Why a hospital! What's going on! I'll complain to Soha about you!"
"Do whatever you want. You're not going anywhere. If you go, trouble will find you—remember that," Sayam said and walked off.
Ishani fumed. "Trouble? What will he even do! I'm leaving."
But she stopped when someone entered and asked, "Ma'am, what will you have? Tea, coffee, cold drinks?"
"Nothing."
"But sir said—"
"Fine! One cup of tea," Ishani sighed.
She looked around the cabin. Half an hour passed.
Then Sayam entered. "Oh, you're still here. Good. I have thirty minutes."
"I didn't ask you for your time," Ishani snapped.
"You didn't, but I must talk to you. Sit," Sayam said calmly.
Ishani sat. Sayam pulled a chair and sat facing her. She was startled.
"Now tell me—why don't you want to marry? Are you in love with someone else?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then what's the problem?"
"You're a doctor—good for you. But I also have studies. Don't you understand that?"
"That's the only reason?"
"Um… I mean, I'm not ready for marriage," Ishani said hesitantly.
Sayam stayed silent for a few seconds. Then he smiled and said, "Because I don't want to give my daughter the name Ishani. I want her mother's name to be Ishani."
Hearing that, Ishani looked down and smiled shyly. She didn't know what to say.
Sayam said, "Now I know the real reason."
"Then marry some other girl named Ishani. There are many in the world," she replied.
"Maybe, but I want this Ishani. Think about it—will you accept or reject?"
"How do I explain to you… I don't want to get married."
"Fine. I'll drop you at your university. Don't get angry because I'm late."
"I'm not angry," Ishani said, looking up.
Sayam joked, "I've heard girls are complicated."
"You talk too much," Ishani replied.
"Of course. I'm a doctor, after all!"
Ishani turned to leave, but Sayam called out, "Will you be able to recognize me next time? Don't get lost again!"
Ishani glared at him and walked out. Sayam laughed softly.