"You've ruined my peaceful life, Anika," shouted Mr. Rupak. Hearing this, Mrs. Anika replied in disbelief, "What are you saying?"
Mr. Rupak raised his voice again, "I'm not finished yet, Anika. Who gave her the courage to stay out so late at night without any real reason? We're from a modest, middle-class family—it's better we don't fall into the ways of the rich. Was Adrit such a bad son-in-law that you had to sacrifice your daughter for that Sumon? How could you, as a mother, allow this—knowing full well our sick daughter will now suffer mentally every day because of a lie?"
Anika, exasperated, said, "So now all the blame is mine? You're her father too. You could've stopped her, said something—but you did nothing. Even tonight, you could've kept her from going. Instead, you called Adrit and told him everything. Your duty's done, right? Did you ever once think about what that boy might be feeling?"
Mr. Rupak replied, "After a certain age, whether it's a son or daughter, they don't listen to force—they learn from what they see. If they see you agreeing, then my disagreement feels like tyranny to them. Anika, we're not competitors. We're husband and wife. Along with our children, we're a family—a team. Just like a sports team, where each player defends the team with their strengths, so must we in this family. You're the mother, and it's your responsibility to protect them. Your daughter is full of good qualities, yet she's throwing her life away by falling for the son of some pharmaceutical dealer. If it were Ambika, I wouldn't have said anything. But this—this you need to address with her."
Anika let out a deep sigh and thought to herself, "My husband has handed me an enormous burden today."
---
Meanwhile, in the hospital bed, Sumon's hands were tied to the sides so he couldn't harm himself. Realizing that, he got agitated and cried out, "Why didn't you let me go, Ma? I want to go far away. I don't want to live anymore. What's the point of living a life built on lies?"
Soma Devi stood up from the visitor's chair, gently placed her hand on his head, and said, "Facing the truth—that's real life, my son. If everything ended, that would be it. But what truly matters is to rise again from life's hardest moments. Son, I know you may never forgive me. But you must forgive one person. You should know, to help you recover, she's done much more than I ever could."
Sumon asked, "Whom are you talking about, Ma? Ambha? I'll never forgive her. She dared to take a place in my heart. I hate her. Yes, I hate her!"
Just then, Subhendu Babu entered the cabin. Seeing him, Sumon fell silent. Subhendu walked over and gently stroked his head, saying, "Aren't we all your family? Your sister, brother, uncle, Pragati—they're all waiting outside for you. Even Ambha."
Sumon turned his face away silently. His mother came closer and said, "Shall I call her once, son? She's very sorry. She's come to ask for your forgiveness. Please, just let her come in once?"
Sumon said sharply, "If I say I don't want to talk to her, will she still come? Does my wish mean anything to anyone? I thought of Ambha as a close friend. And all this time, she just deceived me? Fine. Call her then."
In a serious tone, Soma Devi said, "Whatever needs to be sorted between you two, do it now."
Sumon, inwardly irritated, thought, "There's nothing to sort out," but said nothing. He kept staring silently at the wall, his face grim.
Then, as the faint smell of Carlton London perfume reached his nose, Sumon's heart lightened just a bit. It was an old, familiar fragrance—he knew it was the girl's only indulgence. Curiosity got the better of him, and he turned his head to look.