Anika Devi continued, "But you know, there is a limit to how much fear, pain, and sorrow a person can endure. It was the same for us. Slowly, everything started feeling too familiar."
Ambika asked, "Alright, but did Ankita's father say anything about Adrita or Mita coming over?"
Anika Devi smiled and said, "No, he couldn't say anything to them, but he would scare us. That's why I said, what's the point of fear? Would it stop us from seeing a doctor? And then, my daughter... my whole life... Those words had an effect. Even if they didn't say anything, they kept an eye on things."
Ambika said, "So was that why I was stopped from coming? I used to think it was because of the pressure of secondary or higher secondary exams. How foolish I was!"
Anika Devi gently stroked her daughter's head and said, "Don't be angry, my dear. The days we have passed, and the days we are still going through—I don't know when they will end. That's why I told your sister to give you the phone. At least on the first day of the year, even if the boy stumbles, the truth remains."
---
Just then, Ambika's father, Rupak Babu, shouted from outside, "Isn't anything going into our stomachs today?"
Entering the room, he said, "You've been here so long, has any cooking been done?"
Before he could finish, Ambika called out, "Baba! Today, food will come from outside, please. At least let Ma have a break on the first day of the year."
Rupak Babu said, "What will your mother do with a break? Go digging up old grudges? My elder daughter's health is so bad, the doctor prescribed timely meals—what about that? And what's the point of dwelling on old troubles? We should be thinking about how to get out of the new problem we're in."
Ambika asked, "What do you mean?"
Rupak Babu replied, "It's very clear. A new problem has arisen. The way out of it is your sister's marriage. But she won't listen."
Ambika said, "Come on, Baba. If she doesn't want to get married, why should that be a problem?"
---
Anika Devi stood up and said, "Come, let's eat. I made cheesecake for everyone today. And first, pizza."
"Wow, Ma! Where did you learn to make all this?"
"I didn't know Adrita's mother had taught me."
"Come, I told them to come tomorrow. Your father and Adrita's parents want your sister and Adrita to get married. We have to wake up early—there's a lot of preparation to do."
"You don't want her to get married, do you, Ma?"
Anika Devi hid her true feelings and then, firmly, said, "Of course I do."
Rupak Babu laughed, "Your mother wants your sister to marry Suman and spend the rest of her life miserable. Don't you see? Suman's father will never accept her. As soon as his son recovers, the fake politeness toward us will disappear."
---
Meanwhile, Suman had been sitting and waiting.
"Do you even know how long I've been sitting here for you?"
As soon as Suman entered the room and turned on the light, a girl exclaimed.
"For me? Why?" Suman asked curiously.
He knew his younger sister often gathered information for him—things he could never find out himself. Maybe today was like that too.
Rim began, "Guests are coming today—your future wife, perhaps?"
At that, Suman narrowed his eyes at her. Then, slowly, he said, "If this is nonsense, you can leave."
"Dada, are you kicking me out? Don't do this. I'm your only sister! I hid and found out that your bride is coming today. Grandma was talking to Ma about it. And she was scolding her too. Ma always seems distracted. She burned your favorite dish, cheese dumplings."
"Dada, do you still believe that Ankita truly loves you?"
Suman smiled, "Hmm. I believe love doesn't lie."
Outside his room, voices were heard. Then, shortly after, there was a knock at the door.
Maybe he would have said more, but sometimes things don't happen simply because the time isn't right.
Rumon opened the door, and Soma Devi entered with a young, beautiful woman who had an enchanting presence.
Suman, however, calmly asked, "How are you, Pragati?"
Rumon was surprised but stayed quiet. She thought, "Dada knows her? Then why don't I?"
Then she realized—ah, the glasses she used to wear on her nose weren't there anymore, so she hadn't recognized her.
Soma Devi said, "You two sit and talk, I'll have snacks and beverages sent over."
Then she turned to Rumon, "Come, dear, your grandma is calling."
Soma Devi knew this was the only way to make the girl leave. Otherwise, there would be chaos.
She silently prayed for Amba and sighed deeply, thinking, "Why did I ever tell her about Amba? And why did I push that girl into this torment?"
She wondered, "How long will Ankita keep pretending?"