Ishani sat in her room thinking about everything Riha had said.
It was true—she hadn't told Sayam's family anything about her past.
They should know. Otherwise it could create problems.
They might misunderstand her and blame her for hiding the truth.
While Ishani was lost in these thoughts, Souvik entered the room.
He sat beside her, gently touched her head, and said,
"Have you made a decision, Icche?"
Ishani stared blankly.
She wanted to tell him everything she was thinking but stayed silent.
Souvik said, "Sayam's family called me…
I've taken the decision for your good.
Whatever happens will be for your well-being."
He stood up and left.
Ishani buried her face in the pillow.
"Baba said yes! They need to know the truth.
Maybe after hearing everything, they'll change their mind.
I won't keep them in the dark. I'll tell them everything."
She sat up and picked up her phone.
"I need to talk to Soha."
But after thinking for a moment, she didn't call.
"No, Soha won't listen to me.
I'll talk directly."
She called Sayam, but he didn't pick up.
Sayam: "Oh, now your anger is gone, is it? I called you so many times after you cut the call in anger. You didn't pick up. Now suddenly you're calling—so I'm asking."
Ishani (serious): "I called long ago. You didn't see."
Sayam: "I was in the operation theatre.
So? Your anger has gone down, or still mad?"
Ishani: "Forget all that. I need to talk to you.
When you have time, we must meet."
Sayam: "Oh my goodness!
You want to talk to me?
Very good. Come, I'm ready to hear everything."
Ishani: "Come? What do you mean?"
Sayam: "Come downstairs. I'm in front of your house."
Ishani's heart almost froze.
She checked if anyone in the house was awake.
Sayam: "Come down, Ishu.
Or I'll stand right here."
He hung up.
Ishani looked down—Sayam was standing outside, looking up at her.
She had no choice.
Nervously, she went downstairs.
The moment she reached him, she whispered angrily,
"Are you crazy? Why are you here at night?"
Sayam smiled softly.
"Someone told me in the afternoon that she has very low priority in my life.
So I'm here to tell her how important she is to me—and what I can do for her."
Sayam: "Get in. Let's go for a drive."
Ishani: "What! No! Take me home right now!"
Sayam stopped the car and looked at her.
"First you say there's a problem here, then you want to go home.
What do you want?"
Ishani glared at him.
Sayam raised his hands.
"Okay, okay—don't get angry.
I get what you mean.
Don't worry, I'll drop you home soon."
He started driving again.
Ishani was twisting her fingers anxiously.
"What if someone finds out I'm not home so late? I'll be ruined…"
Sayam tried to lighten the mood.
"You're angry just because I didn't call? You could've called me too, you know."
The comment made her even more uncomfortable.
Sayam placed his hand on hers.
"Relax, Ishu. Why are you panicking?"
Ishani stared at her own hand—he was holding it.
Her throat tightened.
"Please… listen to what I want to say first.
After that you can say whatever you want."
Sayam moved away a little to make her feel comfortable.
"Okay. Say it."
Ishani remained silent for several seconds.
She was searching for words.
Finally she said,
"You don't know anything about me…
You don't know my past…"
Sayam gently lifted her face toward him.
His expression was calm.
"I know everything, Ishu.
Even my whole family knows."
Ishani was stunned.
"You still want to marry me?"
"Why not?
Losing your parents was painful.
But you found loving guardians in your uncle and aunt.
How is that a problem for us, Ishu?
You haven't hidden anything—we already knew."
Tears streamed down Ishani's face.
She hugged him tightly.
Sayam smiled at her.
When Ishani realized she was still holding him, she quickly moved away.
Sayam: "So now you won't refuse the marriage, right?"
Ishani looked away.
"No… I mean—I'll think about it."
Sayam couldn't hide his smile.
Ishani almost smiled too but held it back.
Her heart felt light.
"Baba was right.
Something good is finally happening.
There can't be anyone better for me than this man."
Sayam teased,
"My God, you care so much about me now! So sweet."
Ishani widened her eyes.
"Stop talking nonsense and leave!"
Sayam laughed.
"Talking like this to your future husband?"
"I haven't agreed yet!"
"Yes, you have.
Your smile already gave the answer."
Ishani tried to look serious but failed.
Annoyed, she ran inside the house.
In her room, her heart was pounding loudly.
Next morning…
Riha complained to Bidisha,
"What is wrong with her? How is she so calm?"
Bidisha stared at her.
Riha muttered, "Something is definitely going on…"
When Ishani stepped out for college, Riha stopped her.
"So what did you decide?
Will you tell them the truth, or keep living this lie?"
Ishani: "Why should I lie?
And I don't need to tell them anything—Soha already told me they know everything."
Riha was shocked.
"Who told you they know?"
Ishani: "He—um, the doctor… told me."
Riha became furious.
"Soha trapped you perfectly.
You lived off your uncle and aunt's kindness all these years,
and now you're trying to secure your future by marrying a rich guy?"
Soha's voice came from behind,
"Her life was meant to be good, Riha."
Both turned.
Soha stood beside Ishani, smiling.
"My intentions are so pure that even God won't let anything bad happen to her.
And what you call 'trapping' is actually my brother's love for her.
If that weren't true, why didn't he ever look at you despite all your efforts?"
Riha almost exploded, ready to shout,
but Soha stopped her.
Later…
Soha teased Ishani,
"Roaming around at night—not bad."
Ishani quickly covered her mouth.
"Shhh! If anyone hears, there will be a scandal.
How did you even know?
That crazy doctor must have told you!"
Soha: "Crazy doctor? You can't say that!"
Ishani: "Don't defend him!
He suddenly appeared in the middle of the night.
Then threatened he'd stand there unless I came down.
Is that normal?
And after I went down, he—"
Soha interrupted,
"So what? He's your future husband."
Ishani: "You don't understand, Soha!
I can't say things like that to someone's face."
Soha: "Then you need to learn.
You have support now.
What are you afraid of?"
Ishani sighed.
"Forget it. Tell me—why did you come so early today?"
Soha grinned.
"You agreed to the marriage.
I got so excited I couldn't stop myself from coming!"