"Everyone has left. Ria, where did the bride's sister-in-law go?" asked Shibani Devi.
Evening had arrived; all the cars were ready to leave for the Roy house. Only Bidisha Devi and Ria were yet to come. Hearing her aunt's call, Ishani rushed upstairs to call her mother and sister.
Entering the room, she said, "Everyone is ready. Let's go."
"Wait! Won't you let me get properly dressed? And look at you—roaming around in plain churidar sarees like some Behenji," Ria said while applying makeup in front of the mirror.
Ishani looked at herself in the mirror. "Does the saree look that bad?" She didn't even wait for her own answer.
Bidisha Devi scolded, "Why do you talk like this! We bought her one saree and with the rest of the money we had to buy your dresses. Do you know what will happen if your father hears this!"
"Oh please! What will he do? Everyone gets what they deserve. Will she even wear expensive dresses? She has zero sense of style. I'm the one who looks good dressed up," Ria said, admiring herself again.
"Be quiet. Let's go," Bidisha Devi said, taking her daughter along.
The car reached Roy House. One after another, the wedding gifts were carried inside. Many from Arnav's family were there to welcome the bride's family.
Sayam suddenly said, "There she is!" Ishani made a face and said, "You don't have to be dramatic. Move, I want to go to Soha."
"Oh, you'll go. But listen to me first." Sayam blocked her path. Ishani glared at him, hands on her waist. "Say it quickly."
"Can you please tell me your name now?" he asked pleadingly.
Ishani smiled brightly. "Of course, my name is Sita." She walked ahead.
"Sita! That's another lie," Sayam said, stunned.
Seeing Sohini, Ishani ran and hugged her. Both were very happy to see each other.
Soon the friends arrived—Sayam, Ritom, and the others. Ishani was about to leave but stopped when Abhi called out.
"You tricked all of us pretty well," Abhi said.
"What do you mean?" Ishani asked, confused.
Sohini looked at Ishani, and Ishani shook her head, signaling she hadn't done anything. Sohini asked, "What did she do?"
"She told each of us a different name," Tapon said.
"So what! Why are you all so interested in my name?" Ishani replied.
Sohini kept smiling. And Sayam watched everything like an audience member.
"So, her real name is…" Sohini began.
But Ishani quickly covered her mouth. "No need to know my name," Ishani said.
"What's wrong with that! Are we stealing your name?" — Sayam asked.
"You might steal it and name your daughter after me. There's no copyright on names; otherwise I'd have protected mine," Ishani said and walked away.
Sayam was left speechless again. What does this girl even say!
Meanwhile, Sohini and Ritom burst out laughing at Ishani's words. Controlling her laughter, Sohini said, "Her name is Ishani."
A smile formed at the corner of Sayam's lips.
"Where will I see you next? I mean, when is our next meeting? Oh yes, on the eighth-day ritual," Sayam said.
Ishani opened her mouth to respond but went quiet.
Sayam said again, "What happened, Miss Ishani? Why suddenly silent?"
"How do you know my name?" Ishani asked, eyes wide.
"Don't worry, I won't steal your name for my future daughter," Sayam replied.
Ishani gave no answer and tried to walk away. Just then Sayam called out, "Ishu—"
Ishani turned around. Sayam smiled softly. "Nothing, good night."
Ishani left quietly and headed home.
Arnav was not returning alone; Sayam and Ritom were with him. Though Sayam's family members returned home, the two brothers stayed back. Even if it affected Sayam's work, he treated it as a holiday.
At Chakraborty Nibash, Shibani Devi and Deepak Babu became busy hosting their son-in-law and the two brothers. But Sayam was lost in thought, unable to find the person he was looking for.
Finally, frustrated, Sayam said, "Have all the relatives left? I mean, the house is completely empty, that's why I'm asking."
"Yes, everyone has left," Deepak replied.
To be continued…