Koustav entered his room to find Ria speaking with someone over the phone, she still hadn't changed her clothes. With her spare hand,she was trying to close the window. After hearing the one-sided conversation he guessed it to be Nabila. Though she was talking with her, Ria's tone today was different. Her sour mood might be blamed for it. Mostly she was listening and replying occassionally with 'hm's.

He went behind her and closed the window. Koustav expected Ria to budge or atleast he thought that this act of him would lighten her mood. But seeing her not responding ,he went to the cupboard and brought out his comfy clothes. Seeing him entering the washroom, Ria turned on the ac. All the things in her head started to cogitate and slowly she could not even think of anything else. So she gave Nabila an excuse of her headache and ended the call.

The sounds of tap water were still reaching her ears. She changed her clothes and kept her clothes for cleaning. Through the mirror,Ria saw Koustav getting out of the washroom. She turned away her gaze and went to turn off the lights.

Koustav had made his mood to clear things with her or soothe her by talking. But he kept watching as Ria sat on the side of her bed,gulping a tablet.

He hadn't seen Ria intaking any medicines till that time. So he asked,"What are you taking?"

While unfolding the bedsheet,Ria replied,"Aspirin . You want one?"

"No", Koustav heaved a sigh. " Why did you take it ? Are you alright?"

Ria still was on her side. Suppressing an yawn groggily ,she replied" Yeah. Yes...just some headache.....good night".

Koustav snaked his arms along her waist and slowly made her face towards him.

"Is it really a good night?", Koustav downed his head in the crook of her neck. He could see his close proximity still made her breathing faster.

"What do you want now?" Ria quarried.

"You know that.",Koustav whispered in her ear giving her goose-bumps.

"Why now?" Ria asked, her voice trembling.

" What baby?" Koustav shooted coming further close to her.

" Why do you have to leave me?". She could not even complete her sentence, Koustav kissed her passionately. Amidst her protests ,her crying came to halt as Koustav hugged her tightly. In his warmth she felt safe.

"I can't leave you even if I want it now" Koustav declared during his sweet love-making process.

Ria saw Koustav turning to his side after some time. The aspirin made her feel groggy, but there was not any chance of sleep to come today. Grabbing the bed sheet tightly around her, she kept looking at his back. So many postures he changed during his sleep, he looked comfortable unlike before. She thought that he might have changed his mind and he would not leave her.

The early rays of dawn lighted her side of bed. She turned off the AC and opened the balcony door. Grabbing a stool she went to sit and enjoy the view. Her mind fresh inspite of not sleeping the whole night. Koustav's slumber was broken by that slight sound.

He put on his shirt and came to join her."Want some tea? How is your head?", Koustav asked sitting near her legs.

"No.no. Don't sit on the floor", inspite of her protests Koustav sat and kept his head on her lap.They chatted. They saw the sunrise together that day. The orangy tint of sun-rays slowly fading away the velvetty purply-bluish tone of the sky.

"So madam, your mood alright now! ",Koustav's teasing made her smile. "Btw, I do suck at packing, please pack the bag for me.",he demanded looking at the sky.

"I know this makes you upset. But right now,I have no other option rather than this. If we loose this oppertunity,I've to join Baba's business.....which I don't want right now. This job needs me and vice-versa.....it is important for my career. Please ."His caressing patting on her chicks seemed like slaps to her. His words shocked her and thrashed her dreams,her peaceful cocoon was gone. The same feeling of hopelessness, fear of loneliness gripped her horribly. Her mind started to think in a different way.

" My career is important too....on which I forgot to focus out of my blind love",she said to herself.Suddenly she asked, "Did you...you know...used any protection?"

A silent pause. Ria steadied her voice,"Get up. I'm going to pack bag for you.Before going to office ,go and buy some contraceptives for me." Saying these words were not easy for her. Though he averted his gaze,still the forming tears in his eyes were clearly noticed by Ria.

Getting up, Koustav went inside the room and sat down on the bed." You really dont want it?", he asked gloomily.

This cold voice was not too unknown to Ria. Shrugging her shoulder,she declared,"Want what? I have to complete my post-grad and look for jobs"

Koustav- Our child. Don't working women conceive these days?

Ria- The thing is that I'm not ready.

Koustav(His voice slightly higher)- But you never mentioned it.

Ria- You never mentioned too.

Koustav-Mentioned what? Tell me, what have I not told you! If you were so focused the who asked you to marry?

Being silent, Ria steadied her breathing and started to look into the cupboards for his pressed shirts or trousers.

Ria- For how many days?

Koustav not responded instantly. After increasing voice of Ria poked his eardrums a few more times he replied," 6 days. This sunday"

Lowering her head Ria recounted the remaining days."Only two days",her inner-self whispered inside her.

It seemed that the chaos of the house could not reach their room. With tears in her eyes Ria started to pack his bag. Koustav sat at the same position and saw how perfectly she put his clothes both formal and comfy, toiletries, medicines and an umbrella. Her already red eyes and nose came to his view when she asked for his id-proofs and tickets.

"The tickets are not confirmed yet. My returning flight tickets are there.",Koustav pointed to his drawer.

Ria being a child in mind, got happy to hear it. But she feared too for the uncertainity. "When will you go?" Her voice instantly and clearly pained him.

Not answering Koustav hurriedly went out. Ria looked at the wall clock. It was 8 am. Slowly pushing the trolley aside, she entered the washroom and washed her face and brushed her hairs.

Around 20 minutes later, Koustav entered in his room to find Ria ready in a saree.Just a few minutes back his railway ticket got confirmed. The spirit of achieving his dream fueled him.

"Going somewhere?",he asked arching an eye-brow.

"My house."

His already formed frown deepened more."Why?"he asked in a deep voice.

"Ma wanted help in shopping.I'll be back by the evening. Did you get it?"Ria asked. Koustav visibly got relaxed. She was happy inside that he cared for her too.In her mind, she decided not to take those medicines. She still had hoped for his not going.

To which Koustav extended an envelope. "My tickets got confirmed", Koustav added.

Out of fury and depression, Ria's eyes stinged and she said,"Pass me the bottle".

Koustav watched how easily she released the tablet and swallowed it in one go.

"You get ready and come downstairs.I'm serving your breakfast.", Ria said while fixing her bag and came out of room.

Not knowing what to do, Koustav sat for some time. He was in a tight position now. Seeing the clock reaching 9:30 ,he hurriedly wore his clothes and ran downstairs, ate his food. While chewing his food, he saw Ria not eating anything. She was busy today with Titli.

He got a little relief when Titli told everyone that she was going with Ria today.

After wearing his shoes, Koustav's eyes searched for Ria. She was nowhere to be seen. Huffing, he got out of his house and climbed in his car .

The sound of his car's engine coming alive made Ria weep her more. She reached upstairs when he was finishing his food.

This horrible medicine made her feel bad too."If Ma came to know about it, she will kill me. I can't tell it to anyone."

Around one hour later, Ria got up and fixed herself. Coming downstairs,she found Titli already sitting on the kitchen stool waiting for her. They exited that house and started for her house.

On reaching her house, a beep sound gained her attention.

Ria tossed her on the bed and went to chat with her mother.

_________________________________________

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