Amid everyone's casual chatter, Ritom glanced at his elder brother and grinned.
"Shall I say something? I mean, we should let big brother talk to our new sister-in-law once. They might have things to discuss, right?"
Sayam understood the hint and smiled at Ritom — his brother had finally said something useful.
Arnav whispered, "Don't look so excited, brother. Everyone's watching."
"So what! Brother doesn't care about any of that," Ritom laughed.
Sohini looked at Souvik. He nodded in agreement.
Riha didn't like it…
Sohini didn't feel reassured, so she added, "I'm going too. Ritom, Arnav… come along. You can show us around. Brother, come."
The three of them went upstairs with her.
Riha dragged Ishani ahead and muttered angrily, "Feeling very happy, aren't you? Enjoying grabbing everything that should have been mine?"
"You're misunderstanding me, Riha," Ishani said.
"Shut up. Listen carefully — don't talk much with Sayam. Keep your mouth shut. Act like you're not interested at all."
Right after she finished, she noticed the others had arrived behind them.
Ritom teased, "Our brother doesn't get embarrassed by anything. But we need to think about our sister-in-law."
"Be quiet," Sayam scolded gently.
Sohini laughed. "Enough. Brother, go with Ishu."
Riha signaled Ishani not to go anywhere. Sayam noticed and said,
"What's the matter, sister-in-law? Want to say something? You can say it aloud; no need for signs."
"I! No, no, I'm not saying anything," Riha answered quickly.
Sayam looked at Ishani. "Come on, let's go."
Ishani glanced at him once and walked toward her room.
"What's the problem?" Sayam asked.
"You don't need to come to my room," Ishani said.
"In a few days, you'll be coming to my room. Then why is it a problem if I go to yours now?" Sayam replied.
"I don't care whose room it is. I have my own, okay?" Ishani snapped.
"That room will be yours too. And if needed, I'll just carry you there," Sayam said.
Grinding her teeth, Ishani glared. "Are you a doctor or a thug?"
"For you, I can be anything," Sayam replied.
"Unbelievable…" Ishani turned away.
Sayam smiled softly. "That's also for you."
Ishani stayed silent. A deep breath escaped her.
Sayam kept watching her intently.
She kept fidgeting with her hands — clearly anxious.
Sayam said, "Ishu, you can tell me anything."
"What?"
"What's bothering you?"
"Nothing is bothering me."
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself. I won't force you to marry me. But I do want you in my life."
He said that and walked away.
Ishani stared after him, hurt.
After Sayam's family left…
Riha barked, "What, are you thinking you're some queen now, Ishu?"
Ishani didn't respond.
"What did you tell Sayam? What were you two talking about? I told you to stay quiet, didn't I?"
"I just…"
She stopped when she saw Souvik calling her.
She went to him.
Right in front of his wife and Riha, Souvik said:
"I haven't given them my answer yet. But tomorrow, I'll tell them my agreement."
"No, Baba… I'm not doing this marriage," Ishani said quietly.
Souvik looked once at Bidisha and then said,
"They're a good family. You'll be happy, Ishu. Your brother and sister-in-law left you in my care. Let me fulfill that duty. If you aren't happy, I won't be able to face your brother."
"Don't say that, Baba…"
"Listen to your heart, Ishu. Don't think about anyone else."
Ishani returned to her room and sat quietly.
Her father said he would wait for her decision before giving the final answer to the Barman family.
Three days passed…
When Ishani saw Sohini's call, she answered.
"So, made your decision?" Sohini asked.
"Why would I decide anything? And for whom? He has already forgotten me," Ishani said angrily.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean your brother spent a whole evening at our house and then vanished. He didn't even call once. Will I marry someone like that? He's already like this — after marriage he'll ignore me completely."
Sohini smiled secretly but didn't let Ishani notice and said—
The phone rang again. Ishani picked up and snapped immediately:
"What's your problem? Why are you calling again and again? Don't you understand I'm busy?"
"Oho! Are we fighting now? What's keeping you so busy?" Sayam said.
"If you can avoid calling because you're 'busy,' I can avoid receiving because I'm busy," Ishani grumbled.
"Who said I didn't call because I was busy? I didn't call because I thought you'd be annoyed," Sayam replied.
"Be happy with your own assumptions. I'm hanging up."
She was about to disconnect when Sayam said—
"It's good you didn't call," Ishani said bitterly. "I know I have very low priority to everyone. No one cares whether I exist or not."
Sayam's laughter disappeared. His voice turned serious.
"Ishu, I…"
"I don't want to hear anything!"
She hung up and threw the phone on the bed.
She sat on the floor, holding her parents' photo.
Running her hand over it, she whispered:
"Why did you leave me alone? Baba has to carry so much because of me. He has to fight everyone for my sake. If only you were still alive…"
Riha appeared and said mockingly,
"What happened? Something worth celebrating?"
"Of course! Big house, handsome groom, lots of money. You must be thrilled! But did you ever think — what happens if they find out your parents are dead? That you're adopted? You're deceiving them, Ishu. Shame on you."
Ishani stared at her, wounded.
"And if they know everything, will they still accept you? Maybe they'll throw you out! The guy who's dying to marry you now might turn his back instantly."
Riha laughed wickedly.
"They don't know the truth — and Ishu doesn't know that they know. I've planted the seed of fear in her mind. Now she'll ruin everything herself."