Koustav only managed to see Tuhin and Nabila getting inside and the cab picking up its speed. He kept Niloy down, stood at a distance and looked as Niloy was walking towards him smiling. Once the kid started to sweat a lot, Koustav took him inside as the humidity was quite high.

Nilima was not in the scene inside. Passing Niloy to Titli, Koustav engaged himself in talking to his in-laws. His eyes searched for Ria. Seeing him watching here and there, Mita taunted," I've sent her upstairs to change into something comfortable. Getting tensed just not seeing her for 10 minutes? What will happen to you when she will be with her parents while she recovers?"

"Can't she recover here?Do you have any problem Ma?",he asked Soma. Mita looked at them while Ria got down. Soma suppresed a laugh and said," As you both want. We don't have any problems plus my daughter can't live happily without you too." Not knowing what they were discussing, Ria asked her mother and the older ladies started to pull their legs with jokes.

Sumit excused himself from the ongoing chess, Abir didn't mind it.Sumit was in a call, he asked Koustav to speak with his long time staff ," Himadri, talk to Koustav about it, he'll be attending these matters after some days.",Koustav stared at him with wide eyes. As his father passed his phone, he put it on speaker and heard what he said. As the phone call was on verge of ending, Sumit invited him and his family on Bijoya Doshomi.

"What about my dreams Baba? Who will look into my business?", asked Koustav. Sumit just patted his shoulders. "Keep that too. Just learn to deal with bigger responsibilities in life. Ria can join it too,once she wants. After all I need to retire too. Learn to Balance.",Koustav stood there and watched him grinning. He got a sms from Tuhin. Had something urgent. Meet me tonight.

On the opposite side, Tuhin asked the cab driver to reach their destination soon. Amidst the traffic they managed to be there within 20 minutes. All the way Nabila was looking outside, she came out of her thoughts as she heard the car door opening.

The door of Romy's pg was opened when they entered. Romy was saying something to a man of middle age, as she saw Nabila. Romy hurried near her and indicated her to enter another room, Tuhin went first . As he imagined, Ujaan was lying on his bed. "I didn't know what to do. I called his parents and asked for helps from the neighbours.His parents are coming but no one from here came. So I had to call you both.I wouldn't have bothered if he didn't had fever plus seizures.",huffed Romy.

"Tell the help to grab a taxi",Tuhin asked. Romy followed his instructions. Soon he was taken to the hospital, before leaving Romy asked the help to inform his parents about the hospital and his health conditions.

As soon as the RMO checked his condition, Ujaan was admitted. He was taken inside and checked thoroughly. The trio waited outside." Sorry, guys I ruined your pujo plans.",whispered Romy in a guilty tone. Tuhin scoffed at this as Nabila had demanded to hop Kolkata pandals with him. They said nothing for sometime." Listen, you come and stay with me, don't have to live with this maniac anymore.", Nabila said to Romy and turned her face near Tuhin and asked," Should we tell Ria?"

"Later.",the trio stopped talking as an older couple came to their way. Romy had guessed it to be The Sens'. As Tuhin finished briefing them the situation, Nabila gave an excuse and left the hospital compound.Romy and Tuhin had to follow her too."We shouldn't have left them!",Romy's words had no effect on her, she gave her a sad smile and asked,"them or him?" and looked for Tuhin if he got any cab or not.

As her parents left too, Mita sat beside Ria and asked," Are you not feeling nausea? Or is your head heavy?". Ria had not felt any of that lately. "None of it. Is it good? I mean is it normal ?",her questions bothered Koustav. He called the doctor going upstairs. He didn't wanted her to panic. As the doctor explained him that it was totally normal, he got some relief. Binni had come to call him for lunch.

It was the Bengali ritual that the women having children had to keep fasts and eat vegetarian foods on Soshthis. Mita kept fast too. She came with sweet curd and sweets and gave one spoonful of each to Titli,Koustav, Ria and later called Namit too," Come this way, you are like my child too, bring your son too. Namit got to eat the sweets while Niloy liked the taste of sweet curd.

Ria got upstairs with Koustav following her behind. Titli had taken a promise to be at their door at 5pm, to hear stories about their short trip.

"Why don't we invite Adrij in our house ?",suddenly asked Ria with a sudden surge of joy in her eyes. Koustav had no disliking about the boy, but he was not sure whether an outsider should be entering their family house," I don't think Ma would like it. Besides, we've only met him once. You cannot decide if he is good or not.", he kept saying unmindedly.

Ria threw her hand towel at him and demanded," Now you are over- thinking. Admit it,you too liked him." Koustav closed the windows and passed the ac remote to her. " You know nothing about my mother. She never allowed kakima. I mean Titli's mother before marrying Namit uncle.", Koustav's words could not get finished as Ria asked," Didn't you ever brought her here before marriage?"

Too lost in his past, Koustav didn't answer her for sometime. Ria knew she unmindedly had poked a sensitive chapter of his life. With thick voice, Koustav explained," She wanted it. During our dating days she wanted to meet Ma, but I could not fulfill it that time."

"Why? Were you frightened?", Shifting on the bed beside him, she asked further.

"No. Ma didn't like her at first.",he said relaxing his head on the pillow. Ria kept quite, silently allowing him to go on further. Koustav carried on," She was an orphan. As Ma got to know about it ,she started to instantly dislike her. But once we got married,my mother's views changed a bit. Plus thar time, Titli's mother passed away, She got busy with Titli......things changed a lot since Nikita patiently handled Ma's tantrums.........but one thing once She even had forced me to ditch her."

"Just like she forced you to marry me?",Ria's sudden words brought back no instant replies. Only the ac's mechanical sounds could be hears. Koustav could feel her hot tears falling upon his cold forearm. He noticed,she was lying grabbing his hand in her palms like a baby does.

His fingers found her cheeks, he wiped those tears tenderly and slowly got closer to her," But both worked. Otherwise how would have I got you."

"It will always hurt me Koustav that I was the second chance. ",she said wiping her runny nose.

Turning to hers side, he bluntly said," But I am your first. Think it that way. Don't stress on these things......at least not now . We have plenty of times discussing those....just...not now."

"Only first? Not last too?",asked Ria getting up.

"How can I know? May be ,may not be as well.",Koustav smiled to make the atmosphere lighter. "One thing I noticed now, how casually you call me by my name now! You used to call me dada right?",he added.

" Your mother once called me in her room just just after our marriage. She said many things along with the suggestion of calling you by your name. Which wife calls her husband as if he is hers brother? Tell me, are you brother?", Ria asked getting up.

" No...not at all. Why did you get up?" Koustav asked getting back to the pillow.

"Look at the time.It is already 4:50. Titli will be here any time. Get up. Tidy the bed now.", And Ria switched on the room lights and entered the washroom.

" You are spoiling her. She does not fear me anymore. Rather lectures me now! ",exclaimed Koustav a bit irritatedly. He had a plan of lying down the whole afternoon hugging her. "All ruined by my dear sister and wife.",murmured Koustav and put the pillows back to their usual places.

True to Ria's words, Titli knocked rather thumped on their door before 5. Koustav was inside the washroom,so Ria opened the door. First question Titli asked before entering,"Did you guys plan on pandal hopping?"

Ria just nodded a no. Titli visibly relaxed and sat on the bed grabbing her old pillow which Koustav had possessed now. Koustav got out soon. He put on some water on the electric kettle to make some tea for his protruding headache.

" Adrij did not call?",Ria asked Titli with fake seriousness on her face. Titli was checking her phone many times. She kept her phone and looked at Koustav's direction. "You can share anything. We are friends now.",Ria tried to boost up her courage.

"We had a fight. My friends want me to go out with them on Ashtomi. I can't go. So he is upset.", Titli explained in low voice.

Pouring the hot water in a mug, Koustav looked at both of them and declared," Tell him to come with us tomorrow afternoon. We already plan on going some pandals."

Ria got amazed hearing his words. Titli was already on call with Adrij.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Nabila's parents were very warm just like before. They did not even asked Romy as she came to their house. Tuhin was going back to his house but Nabila's parents stopped him for some tea and evening snacks.

Romy had just eaten her lunch,her phone buzzed with an unknown number. She received it after sometime, a lady's voice appeared on the other side.

Lady- Hello. Are you Romy?

Romy- yes...and sorry but I cannot recognise who you are.

Lady- oh! I am Lahari Sen. Ujaan's mother . We got your number from the help.

Romy had no answer to this. She just silently prayed for Ujaan's recovery.

Lady- We just wanted to thank you as you have admitted him to the hospital. The doctor says he is responsing to their treatment.

Romy- How is he? I mean aunty, what happened to him?

Lady- He has Meningitis.

Romy- oh!

Lady- Can you come tomorrow? We three want to meet you.

Romy- excuse me aunty, three?? Who three?

Lady- Ujaan and us.

Romy- I have some plans....but I'll try to.

Lady- Ok..thanks again...bye.

Romy- Bye aunty. Take care.

Thus the phone call ends. Beside her Nabila waited to listen the whole story. As she narrates the wholw scenario.

" He got back his senses?", Tuhin asked from the hall. "He wants to meet her.",Nabila said in an irrirated tone.

"Not him...its them",said a confused Romy.

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