Did Amba really get her shalya back? Can this even be called getting him back? Today it feels like it wasn't Ankita but Amba who died that day. Why did it turn out this way? Is Amba not responsible for this incident? Even though Ankita's family knew about Amba and Amba's family knew about Ankita, Ambika didn't know anything about all this. That's why Amba behaved this way to keep her sister hidden. Her sister is really sweet, and not just that, she truly loves her. That's why Amba finds it hard to say anything harsh to her.
Even after going to college, Ambika didn't feel at ease. She kept thinking—if only she could talk to that boy Suman one more time, wouldn't it be great? Even after she behaved so rudely with him, he still said, "Your voice is just how I like it." There's some sort of magic in those words. Though at first it made her angry, the more she thought about it, the more a strange feeling stirred in her heart.
But then again, if he really loves his girlfriend so much, why was he calling her sister and talking about love? If he could take the number from her sister's phone and call her, then he could have at least said sorry for last night. And if a number is saved in the phone, how did a different number get dialed? No, no, she was right. He's not a good guy at all. His girlfriend's number isn't even saved! That "Ami, Ami" call made her whole body burn with rage. At another time, she might've ignored it and walked away, but now the guy had come right up to her while calling, so she had no choice but to respond.
Forcing a smile on her face, she said, "Oh, it's you! Do you have something to say, Souptik-da?"
"Hm, someone's been enchanted by your singing. Come, let me introduce you."
Souptik-da is one year senior to us. Normally, she doesn't like him much because he always mispronounces her name, which really annoys her. She told him several times, but he didn't listen, so she stopped trying. But since he was a senior, she followed him to meet the enchanted admirer.
There she saw some seniors who had graduated years ago. They had returned to the college after a long time and now they have each become established in life. He introduced her to everyone. But hearing one name among them made her heart jump. Then she thought, people can have the same name. Maybe—no, why say maybe—this Suman Adhikari must not be the same Suman from the call.
But her startled expression was noticed by the experienced eyes there. One of them said, "Hey, what do all you girls see in Suman? You don't even look at us!"
The others laughed. But the person they were talking about stayed silent—neither laughing nor responding.
Then someone said, "Hey somu, say something!"
"You're the ones talking, isn't that enough? Why do you need me?"
The name "Somu" sounded awfully familiar. And something else started coming to mind, but she couldn't quite place it.
Then Suman said, "I need to call Mon."
"Who's Mon?" she asked. Right after asking, she realized it was a silly question.
As soon as Ambika asked it, a ripple of surprise ran through the other seven pairs of eyes—except Suman, who calmly replied, "Mon is Ankita. She's in Chennai for a dance program. She's been so busy for the past four months, she hasn't been able to come to Kolkata at all."
After hearing this, her anger flared up again just like last night. Souptik-da said, "Why do you need to know all this?"
She was already annoyed with him, and hearing "Suman", "Mon", "Ankita" made her even angrier.
She snapped, "Why did you call me here, Souptik-da? And who I ask what is my personal matter. So please, stay within your limits."
To this, Rajen-da said, "Whoa! That's some serious temper!"
She didn't stay any longer and headed straight for home. Standing at the intersection near college, she waited for the bus. The plan was to go out with friends, but she'd been irritated since morning. First, her sister's strange behavior, and then what had just happened—it all ruined her mood. So she left college without telling anyone.
While she was standing there, a red and black Thar suddenly stopped right in front of her.