When Ishani was leaving her class, she heard her phone ringing. She stopped, took it out of her bag, and hesitated before answering after seeing Sayam's name. She had already decided that if Sayam asked why she didn't go, she would say she had an urgent class.
But Sayam didn't ask anything she expected. Instead he said, "Are you still in class?"
"No, one class just ended," Ishani replied.
"Good. Do the remaining classes tomorrow. Come outside," Sayam said. Ishani was surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Just come out first," Sayam said and hung up, waiting for her. Ishani walked outside…
"You know, I took leave today and you didn't even go. Is that fair?" Sayam said.
"Everyone else went, though," Ishani replied.
"So what! You weren't there among them," Sayam said.
"Actually, I have classes so…" Before she could finish, Sayam said, "I know. But now you must come. Let's go."
"Where are we going?" Ishani asked.
"To the place where everyone is discussing our marriage," Sayam said with a soft smile and opened the car door. Ishani hesitated. "No, I shouldn't go. I have class…"
"Just give me this day, please!" Sayam said gently. Ishani could no longer refuse…
Everyone downstairs was surprised to see Ishani.
Srijit Babu smiled. "Ah, Sayam brought Ishani. Chitra, come see who's here."
"Well, Baba, I called her. Her important class is over, so I brought her," Sayam quickly said so that no one else could question it.
Chitra Devi and Kuheli Devi came out of the kitchen and were overjoyed seeing Ishani. They made her sit beside them and started chatting warmly. Sohini smiled at Sayam, who smiled back. Riha came from the kitchen and froze seeing Ishani…
"Leave them, Didi. You all go upstairs. Don't disturb us. Ishani, you go too. This is your first time here, but very soon this will be your home," Kuheli Devi said, placing a hand on Ishani's head.
"Come, Icche, let me show you your in-laws' house," Sohini said, glancing at Riha with a mocking smile, making it clear Riha's tricks wouldn't work here.
Ishani went with Sohini, followed by Sayam and Ritom.
Upstairs, Sohini stopped. Clearing her throat, she said, "Ritom, we don't need you here anymore. Dada-bhai will show everything to Icche himself." Ritom left.
Ishani frowned. "See, this is what I wanted to tell Sohini! I would've told her to stay. She left me alone—ugh."
"Alone where! I'm here with you," Sayam said.
"Being alone with you isn't appropriate. What will the elders think?" Ishani asked nervously.
"What will they think? They'll think you're with me," Sayam said. Ishani sighed irritably, "Stop it. You always joke. Let's go downstairs."
As she turned, Sayam held her hand. "Give me a moment."
Ishani turned to look at him. Sayam was looking right at her.
"I don't know how these conversations started. All I know is—you are mine. And this room, and I… are only yours."
Ishani's eyes filled with tears. Sayam gently wiped them away. "I know what you're afraid of. But I'm here. Don't worry at all."
Ishani looked down, unable to express how much her mother's and Riha's disapproval had been troubling her.
Hearing Chitra Devi approaching, Ishani quickly wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. Chitra Devi entered and said, "I've been looking for you two—"
Suddenly Ishani hugged her tightly and burst into tears, shocking her. Sayam was also stunned.
Clinging to her, Ishani said, "Ma…"
A smile lit up Chitra Devi's face. Sayam brushed Ishani's head and said jokingly, "Hey now, this isn't fair! My mom is your mom too, yes—but that doesn't mean you get to claim her completely and cry like this!"
"Shut up, you naughty boy. You never know what to say when," Chitra Devi scolded him before stroking Ishani's head. "I'm here, dear. Don't worry."
The three of them returned downstairs. The discussion was nearly over. The blessing ceremony would be next Sunday, at the Barman house. Souvik Babu had agreed. Bidisha Devi couldn't object, and Riha, maintaining her fake politeness, also had no chance to protest.
Sayam himself dropped Ishani home afterward. She was in a wonderful mood. She liked the house and everyone there — especially Chitra Devi. She didn't even realize when she suddenly called her "Ma."
Back home—
"Oh, look at her face! She's glowing," Bidisha Devi said sharply.
"As if that needs saying! The way she was smiling and chatting with them, as though they're her closest people," Riha added.
"They're going to become her closest people — truly close," Sohini's voice came from behind. She stood next to Ishani. "Closer than you two ever were. And not for show — genuinely."
"What are you doing here!" Riha snapped.
"I knew you two would be spewing poison, so I came as the antidote," Sohini said through clenched teeth.
"Sohini, you're insulting us! I'm talking to my daughter. Where's the poison?" Bidisha Devi growled.
Sohini curled her lip. "Demons…"
"You suddenly came!" Ishani said in surprise.
Sohini smiled. "Dada-bhai knows Mami and Riha's tricks. So he sent me to you."
"What! He sent you?" Ishani asked, stunned.
"Yes, your doctor sent me. He said I must always stay with you," Sohini laughed.