She had seen the car in the parking lot. Someone rolled down the window and asked from inside, "Where do you live?" The question was a bit irritating, but she replied, "Jhau Tola Road."
"Hop in, I'll drop you off."
"I can go on my own, Suman da. The bus is coming."
"I know you can go independently. But today the bus will be crowded. Besides, I'll get to chat with you. So come along."
She got in and sat in the back seat. As soon as she sat down, the car started moving. Ambika didn't like this car at all. Even after getting in, she sat there with a sullen face.
Suman asked, "Where do you learn music?"
Ambika gave a short answer, "At home."
"No, I mean who teaches you?"
Annoyed, Ambika replied, "Why? You want to learn?"
"Yes, if you tell me who, I'd like to."
She wasn't prepared for that kind of response, so she remained silent.
Then Suman asked, "Why are you so angry, madam?"
"I'm not angry," she replied, looking out the window.
"Oh, I see. But you know, I also don't like it when someone calls me 'Sammy.' My name is Suman — I prefer 'Samu.' But still, people call me 'Sammy!' Even Mon calls me that, just to tease me, though she knows I don't like it.
But you know, sometimes making someone else happy also brings joy.
Look, Mon is so far away from me now. Even if I want to, I can't see her. I keep asking to go visit, but my parents won't let me.
Just then, the car came to a screeching halt.
For a moment, Ambika thought it was the end for her. Then she said, "I want to get off. Your driver drives so 'well' that I don't want to continue. I want to live."
Before Suman could say anything, the driver, Rana da, said, "Sorry, madam. A cat crossed the road. If I hadn't braked, it would've been crushed."
Suman laughed and said, "I have no intention of killing you."
"Oh really?" said Ambika, stretching her tone sarcastically.
Then she asked, "How did you know I get angry when someone calls me 'Amy'?"
"I can read minds," he replied.
Even though the ice inside her hadn't completely melted, it had softened a bit.
Suman asked, "By the way, Ambika, who named you?"
"My father. I often ask him — why such a name, Ambika! He could've named me Ambalika instead.
Actually, my elder sister's name is Amba, so I became Ambika, and my younger cousin (uncle's daughter) is named Ambalika."
Suman asked, "Do you know what Ambika means?"
Ambika replied, "Yes. It means Goddess Durga."
The car had entered their neighborhood, but it wouldn't go all the way to their house.
Ambika told the driver to park near the temple visible by the roadside, beside the open field.
Surprised, Suman asked, "Why? We're just a bit away. You can get off here."
But Ambika, in a pleading tone, said, "No, Suman da. It wouldn't be proper to get off so close to home. If people from the neighborhood see me getting out of someone's car, they'll start gossiping.
Please, come with me, Suman da. Our house is just nearby. Please, just a little effort."
Suman said, "No, I'll come another day."
"No, Suman da, please — just today."
"I can't today, sorry."
"I won't hear no. You have to come now."
Ambika herself didn't know why she was insisting so much. Maybe it was to relieve some guilt from how she treated another 'Suman' in the past. Or maybe something else was going on in her mind — it was hard to say.
They got out of the car and first went into the temple.
Ambika said, "This is where they worship Shiva and Parvati. People say that with Parvati's blessings, true love always finds its way.
If your Mon truly loves you, she'll come back."
Suman looked at her and said, "Really? I hope this wait ends soon. It's painful."
They bowed before the gods, and by the time they came out, it was already dusk.
The evening rituals had started in the temple — the sound of conches, bells, and ululations filled the air.
They walked down the road and entered a lane opposite the temple. The street lights hadn't turned on yet, so it was dark.
Suman, after many days, was taking in the beauty of the city at twilight.
The lane was narrow, so as they walked side by side, their shoulders touched.
For some unknown reason, Ambika felt a shiver inside her.
They reached a large-gated house at the end of the lane.
Walking through the garden, they reached the door. Ambika rang the bell.
Her mother opened the door — and was visibly shocked to see Suman with her.
A strange fear began to rise in her mind.
Did Suman know everything?
Had he come because of what Ambika mistakenly did yesterday?
Had she told him everything?
Did they know each other from before?
How was that even possible?
How did he meet Ambika in the first place?