Yalini goes to the hospital and as soon as she reaches Dhruv's room and stands at the door, she notices something unexpected, something that immediately feels out of place, something that she was not prepared to see at all.
Dhruv is not there. Instead, a woman around fifty years old is lying on the bed, and beside her, on a chair, sits a young girl—probably nineteen or twenty, not more. Perhaps she is the woman's granddaughter, sitting there quietly, as if she has been taking care of her for a while.
For a moment, Yalini is completely stunned, her mind going blank, her thoughts stopping midway as if everything around her has suddenly slowed down.
Where is Dhruv?? She has no answer to that question, and that uncertainty begins to spread inside her like a quiet fear.
Still, gathering a bit of courage, Yalini steps inside, even though her heart feels a little heavy.
"Excuse me…"
Both of them hear her voice and turn toward the door, their attention shifting completely to her presence.
The young girl gets up from the chair and comes to stand in front of Yalini, her expression calm and composed.
"Yes, what is it?" she asks calmly, her voice soft but clear.
Yalini, feeling slightly hesitant, asks,
"Um… there was someone named Dhruv here 4–5 days ago…?" her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.
Before the girl can answer, the older woman speaks,
"I don't know about that, dear. I've only been admitted here for the past two days. I fell in the bathroom and broke my leg."
Hearing this, Yalini feels even more disheartened, as if the small hope she had is slowly slipping away.
In a soft voice, she says,
"Oh… I see. I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll leave now."
"Hey, girl—" the old woman tries to say something, perhaps wanting to help or ask something, but Yalini doesn't wait to hear it and walks out, her steps slightly hurried.
Yalini goes straight to the reception, her mind filled with questions, her heart beating a little faster than usual.
"Excuse me, there was a patient named Dhruv Bose admitted here in Room 302 for the past few days. Can you tell me if he has been discharged?" she asks, trying to sound calm.
The receptionist says,
"One moment, ma'am, I'll check," typing something into the computer.
After looking at the computer, the receptionist replies,
"The patient named Dhruv Bose from Room 302 was discharged two days ago."
Hearing this, Yalini feels a deep sadness take over her, a quiet heaviness settling in her chest that she cannot explain.
Holding the book in her hand—the one she had brought for Dhruv—she quietly walks out of the hospital, her steps slower now, her excitement completely gone.
From there, Yalini goes straight to Prinsep Ghat.
For her, this place is the only comfort when her heart feels heavy, the only place where she feels she can breathe freely.
Prinsep Ghat—one of Kolkata's most peaceful, romantic, and heritage-filled places, where time seems to slow down, where everything feels softer and quieter.
Standing by the banks of the Hooghly River, Prinsep Ghat feels like a beautiful blend of history and nature. The white classical Greek-style pillars stand tall, telling stories of the past and carrying memories of the city's old days.
Beside the ghat flows the Hooghly River, its water moving in a calm, soothing rhythm. The cool breeze touches the face gently, carrying a strange sense of peace. The soft waves reach the shore quietly, like unspoken words, like silent emotions.
In front stands the magnificent Vidyasagar Setu, and when its lights glow in the evening, the view becomes mesmerizing. The reflection of the lights on the river creates a magical scene, almost unreal, almost dreamlike.
The walking path along Prinsep Ghat is beautifully arranged. On one side, there are green trees, and on the other, the open river. Walking there, Yalini feels as if all her worries are slowly drifting away, even if just for a while. Couples sit by the river, some quietly watching the sunset, while others enjoy boat rides, lost in their own little worlds.
Sunset is the most beautiful time here. The sky fills with shades of red and orange, blending into the river water, creating a breathtaking view. Everything feels calm, soft, and deep—like a painting that no one wants to leave.
Prinsep Ghat is not just a place—it is where love, silence, and memories live together. Standing there, it feels as if time has paused… and Yalini simply feels the moment, without thinking too much.
After some time, Yalini sits down at one side of the ghat and stares at the book in her hand, holding it gently as if it carries something precious.
The title of the novel and the author's name on the cover seem larger than usual, as if every letter is trying to speak to her… trying to keep her company in her sadness, trying to fill the silence inside her.
She keeps looking at the book, and in front of her eyes, the memories of the days she spent with Dhruv begin to replay, one after another, like scenes from a story she didn't realize she was writing.
Lost in these thoughts, evening slowly turns into night, and the sky gradually darkens.
One by one, people around her begin to leave, their footsteps fading into the distance, leaving behind a quiet emptiness.
Yalini takes a deep breath and gets up from the ghat, as if gathering herself again.
From there, she heads straight back home, her mind still lost somewhere else.
As soon as she reaches home, her mother asks,
"Where were you all this time?" her voice filled with concern.
Yalini doesn't answer. She walks straight toward her room, avoiding eye contact.
Her mother asks again, this time with slight irritation in her voice,
"I'm asking you something—where were you?"
Yalini replies briefly,
"Nowhere," her voice low and distant.
Before her mother can say anything more, she goes into her room, closing the door behind her.
Her mother thinks of following her but stops herself, standing there for a moment before turning away.
Yalini sits on her bed. After sitting like that for several hours, lost in her thoughts, she goes to the washroom to freshen up, trying to clear her mind.
After some time, when she comes out, she sees her mother standing in her room, waiting quietly.
Yalini gets a little nervous, thinking her mother might ask questions again, questions she is not ready to answer.
Still, keeping herself calm, she asks softly,
"Do you want to say something, Mom?"
"Nothing. Come eat," her mother says simply and leaves, without pressing further.
Yalini feels relieved, as if she has been spared from something difficult.
After a while, she goes downstairs to the dining table.
She sees her father sitting with his plate while her mother is serving food, the atmosphere quiet and normal.
Without saying anything, she quietly pulls a chair and sits down. Her mother serves her food without speaking, as if sensing her mood.
Yalini silently finishes her meal, not saying a single word.
After eating, she goes back to her room and lies down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking…
Why didn't Dhruv tell her anything?
Why didn't he say that he would be discharged in two days?
Maybe… he didn't know himself.
Or maybe… there was something else she didn't understand.
Thinking all these things, Yalini eventually falls asleep without realizing, her thoughts slowly fading into dreams.
The next morning, she wakes up, gets ready, has breakfast, and is about to leave for the office when she receives a message on her phone.
From Reha.
The message says:
"Come fast. Surprise for you."
Yalini doesn't understand anything after reading the message. She looks at it for a moment, slightly confused, but then ignores it and leaves for the office, deciding not to think too much about it.
Even though the message lingers in her mind for a few seconds longer than usual, she chooses not to give it any importance and slowly slips her phone back into her bag. Her expression remains calm, but there is a faint trace of curiosity hidden somewhere deep inside her thoughts, quietly waiting. She takes a small breath, as if trying to brush away that lingering feeling, and then continues with her usual routine without letting anything interrupt her pace.
The morning feels just like any other, yet somewhere in the background of her mind, the words from the message echo softly, refusing to disappear completely. Still, she doesn't pause, doesn't overthink, and simply walks forward, letting the day unfold on its own.
After some time, when she reaches the office, Reha sees her and runs toward her with a bright smile, her excitement clearly visible.
She hugs Yalini tightly and says,
"Congratulations!" her voice full of happiness.
Then one by one, everyone comes and congratulates Yalini, smiling, patting her shoulder, saying kind words.
For a moment, everything around her feels overwhelming, as if she has suddenly stepped into a situation she doesn't fully understand. The cheerful expressions on everyone's faces, the warmth in their voices, and the unexpected attention make her stand still, unsure of how to react. She tries to respond with a faint smile, but her eyes still carry a hint of confusion.
The atmosphere around her is filled with excitement and positive energy, yet she feels slightly out of place, as if she has missed something important. People continue to gather around her, sharing their happiness, while she quietly looks from one face to another, trying to understand what exactly is happening.
Even though she doesn't say much, she nods politely, acknowledging their words, her mind still searching for an answer behind all these congratulations.
Yalini stands there, completely confused and shocked, unable to understand what is happening around her.
Why is everyone congratulating her?
What happened?
She still doesn't have the answer to that question, and that confusion only grows stronger with each passing moment.