Barman House — a huge estate with a grand mansion built across an enormous area. The shiny, polished house wasn't very old. Sayam's father, Srijit Barman, and his uncle Subir Barman built this dream house together.
Srijit Babu and Chitra Devi had one son, Sayam Barman, who was a doctor by profession. He completed his studies abroad and returned as an oncologist. Although Sayam was not yet an experienced doctor, he was trying his best to devote more time to his work, studies, and research.
That morning, Sayam and Ritom returned home. Seeing the two entering, Chitra Devi called out from the kitchen, "So you're back! I thought you two would stay at their house!"
"Where would I stay, Boro Ma! I have to go to the office. How long will I keep dumping everything on Dad and Uncle?" — Ritom said.
"You're going to the office today? Fine, hurry and get ready, I'm serving lunch," said Kuheli Devi.
Ritom left, agreeing to his mother's words. Seeing Sayam still sitting, Chitra Devi said, "Doctor Babu, what's your update! Do you plan to sit all day—"
Kuheli Devi smiled and said, "You wanted him to become a doctor."
With a gloomy face, Chitra Devi replied, "Yes, I wanted that. But how could I know life would turn out like this! He lived abroad for years, and now even after coming back, he never has time for anything. At least he got a few days off recently."
"Arnav is younger but already married. Now you get Sayam married. He's already twenty-nine, when else will you marry him! Once Sayam gets married, I'll arrange Ritom's marriage too—he's almost twenty-seven now," Kuheli Devi said.
Meanwhile at Chakraborty Nibash, Ria quietly lay down. After two minutes, she sat up restlessly and said, "Turn off the light, I can't sleep because of you."
"I have a class test tomorrow, Ria. I need to study," Ishani replied.
Not paying attention, Ria snapped, "What do you even study! Stupid Bengali literature. If you studied science like me, I would understand. Turn off the light. I need to sleep or I'll miss college tomorrow."
With a sigh, Ishani turned off the light, picked up her book, and walked out. The next room was empty, so she went there.
Before she could explain, Souvik Babu interrupted, "Enough. You don't have to defend your sister. But why are you like this, Ishani? Why can't you raise your voice?"
"Against whom, Baba? They're not strangers. She's my little sister. I can tolerate that much," Ishani replied softly.
"No, you can't. And you shouldn't. If you're too good, people will use you and then turn their backs on you," said Souvik Babu.
"It's okay. The ones who truly love me won't treat me like that. And those who do? They'll only use me temporarily and then disappear," Ishani said.
Back at Barman House, Sayam reacted the moment he heard the marriage topic during lunch. "I'm very busy already. Too many patients, too much work," he said.
"What do you mean busy! Did I ask for an appointment from you?" — Chitra Devi snapped.
"Even if you did, you wouldn't get one. Sorry," Sayam replied.
"What's wrong, Sayam! Your mother is right," said Srijit Babu while sipping tea.
"Dad, please, not you too. It's not possible now," Sayam said, finishing his meal and leaving abruptly.
Fuming, Chitra Devi said, "Did you see your son's behavior! He didn't even finish his food properly!"
Late at night, Sayam saw Kuheli Devi awake and said, "Chotomaa, why are you awake! I told you not to wait for me. They serve our dinner at eight."
"Be quiet. It's almost midnight, now you must be hungry," she said.
"Not at all, I won't eat." — Sayam
"You will. No arguments." — Kuheli
"No, please, Chotomaa." — Sayam
"Oh really? If your wife said it, would you refuse her too?" she teased.
Sayam's eyes widened. "Wife! Who? Where did she come from!"
"She hasn't come yet, but she will," Kuheli Devi said with a grin.
"If Ritom hears this he'll get the wrong idea," Sayam muttered.
"I've known you since the day you were born. You, Ritom—none of you are strangers to me. I know you all very well," said Kuheli.
Seeing Sayam quiet, she asked, "Is Ritom right? Do you have some relationship with a nurse in the nursing home?"
"Oh please! Ritom talks nonsense," Sayam said, annoyed.
"So? Do you have a girlfriend? If yes, you can tell me. Sayam, did you meet someone abroad—"
Sayam interrupted, "No! I don't have anyone."
"Your marriage will happen soon. I want to dance at the wedding, even with my knee pain," she said jokingly. Then she asked with a smile, "Who is the girl? Did you only see her, or did you find out anything?"
"I know she is Sohini's cousin. Her uncle's daughter. Her name is Ishani. That's all," Sayam replied.
"Ishani!!" — Kuheli said in surprise.
Sayam nodded and left, smiling.
"Where are you going! Eat first…" Kuheli called after him.
But Sayam said, "No, Chotomaa. Good night," and walked away.