Author's Pov

It was around 2 am at night.

The reception party came to an end. The Mukherjee family left sometime ago along with their side of guests. In the banquet only the Chatterjee family, some of their close relatives  and Saptarshi's family were there.

Everyone was tired as the last four days had been very busy for them and they couldn't get proper rest.

Saptarshi and Priyansh loaded their cars with the gifts which Akash and Kanika received in the function today. 

After completing the remaining work in the banquet , they settled in their respective cars and started their journey to reach their respective houses.

"You know, Today I talked with Kanika Boumoni's sister." Sanchita said who was sitting in the backside along with Piyali and Sanonda .

Saptarshi was driving the car with his father beside him. His ears perked up hearing his sister's words.

"Really? Which one…she has two sisters. " Piyali said.

"No no..Boumoni has only one sister, her name is Aratrika....the other one is her Cousin. I don't know her name. I talked with Aratrika Di today." Sanchita explained to her mother.

"How's she?" Sanonda asked.

Hearing the question, Saptarshi's heart thumped on his chest. He wanted his sister to have a good opinion on her. He wanted his family to have a good opinion of her.

" She is so sweet. She has great interest in fine arts. I was talking to her non stop ..she was replying to me from time to time. All the time there was a smile on her lips when I was with her and most importantly she was not faking it. One problem is that she is way too calm and shy. But I enjoyed my time with her. She is very cute." Sanchita said excitedly.

Hearing her, Saptarshi's lips twitched into a small smile but he controlled himself to avoid his family's suspicion.

"Yes, I have heard about her from Anu. The way she was talking it looks like she has become a fan of hers. " Sanonda said with a chuckle.

" So true Pimoni, I have also become a fan of her. She is worth it." Sanchita said with a smile.

Though Saptarshi kept his face neutral  ,his heart was dancing in joy.

" I have heard that she is a widow. Poor child!! Her fate is totally unfair to her." Piyali said sadly.

"So what? She is a young, beautiful and sweet girl ….she can definitely marry now..if she wants to. " Sanchita said . Sanonda nodded.

"I agree." Siddhartha said.

Saptarshi's heart was thumping in anxiety. Her mother's response was important for her.

As per as Saptarshi knows that her mother isn't so backdated to oppose the idea of second marriage of a widow. But still he is tense as this is related to Aratrika's life.

"That's true. If her family agrees ,why not!! " Piyali said.

Saptarshi's heart burst in joy. Her mother didn't oppose the idea of her marriage. His lips curved into a smile.

"Why are you so happy? Do you want to marry her?" His mind asked him.

The smile which came on his lips wiped away.

Marriage!!
He didn't think about it till now.

Yes, he loves her …this is true
He can do anything for her….this is also true.

But marriage!!

"Do I want to marry her?" He asked himself.

Rest of the ride went away with his sister talking  with his parents and his pimoni and him being in deep thoughts.

.
.
.

"O go Suncho!! ( Hey Listen)" Binita said as she entered the living room in a hurry. There Brijesh was reading a newspaper and Biplob was doing some calculations related to their shops.

"Haa bolo, (Yes Say.)" Brijesh said with a frown.

"Tumi misti doi ta ene Chile ami bolechilm ante…r baki ….(Did you bring the sweet curd which I told you to bring.. and others…)"
Before Binita could complete, Brijesh interrupted her.
"Haa ami sob nie esechi. Nijer Shanti r jonno gie kitchen e dekhe nao…ene sob kichu ami Aratrika ke die diechi. (Yes ,I brought everything. Still for your own peace, go and check in the kitchen. I brought everything and gave them to Aratrika. )" He said being irritated.

Binita frowned and then sighed . Without saying anything, she walked towards the kitchen saying, "Aru.."

Brijesh closed his eyes to control himself.
Biplob noticed his brother's expression and said ,
" Accept it as we all did."

Brijesh looked at his brother with a frown and said, " Do you really think it is right? After whatever happened?"

"Whatever happened was bound to happen and what will happen in future will bring everything on track..so do as I say..it will be for your own good." Biplob said in a tone which said "It's final."

Brijesh huffed and went away from there.

"Where did he go?" Sudeshna asked Biplob. She just entered the living room after finishing her morning pujo(prayer).

"Just stressed due to work. So he went to the garden to compose himself. Don't worry, he will come back." He said while continuing his work.

Sudeshna nodded and walked to the stairs.

"Maa, Don't worry…Baba brought everything. " Aratrika said as her mother was rechecking the items which her father bought from the market.

"You don't know him,Aru. He forgets something or other…but this time he didn't forget. Thank God. " Binita said dramatically, making Aratrika laugh.

Today is the special day for the Mukherjee family. Kanika along with Akash is returning to her house for Astamangala ritual.

Among Bengalis The bride returns back to her place after 8 days of her wedding along with her husband. The custom or ritual is called 'Ashtamangala' where the bride and groom are required to stay at the bride's place for 3 days.

So today Kanika and Akash are going to come and stay here for the next three days as per the customs.

Mukherjees are preparing everything excitedly for that.

From the morning itself, Aratrika and Binita are in the kitchen, making delicious food. Sudeshna is busy behind their maid who was instructed to clean the house completely.

Smita didn't go to the office as she was excited to be with Kanika whereas Suporno went to his work just to attend an important meeting.

" Aru, now go…take a bath then rest for sometime. You have been working since the morning. I will prepare the remaining items." Binita said to Aratrika.

Aratrika has already cooked the fish and mutton…the rice,  tomato chutney and some other dishes are left to prepare.

Aratrika wasn't ready to leave but after earning a glare from her mother, she left the kitchen with a smile.
.
.
.

At around 1 pm, Kanika came along with Akash. They were welcomed in a traditional way .

Kanika and Akash touched the feet of the elders who blessed them wholeheartedly.

"Welcome." Smita Said to Kanika with a hug. Kanika broke the hug and smiled at her. Smita greeted Akash with a smile who smiled back .

Kanika finally walked towards Aratrika and pulled her in a hug. Aratrika was in tears with happiness.

"Where is Suporno Da?" Akash asked.

"He went to his office for a meeting. Will be back before the lunch." Biplob replied with a smile .

They walked inside and sat in the living room.

After talking with everyone for an hour . They were brought to the dining area for the grand lunch which was prepared especially for the newly wed. Suporno was home by then and joined them for lunch.

Aratrika also sat with them and ate her lunch as she had been doing for the last one month.

Everyone enjoyed the lunch while talking and laughing.

.
.
.

"I am sleepy. " Sanchita said with a yawn.

Saptarshi looked at her and said, "Then Go and sleep."

They both were in Saptarshi's room watching a movie. Halfway through the movie Sanchita started to feel sleepy as it was already 1 am .

"Now I am going to sleep. But don't you dare to complete the movie. We will watch together. " Sanchita got up and threatened her brother, glaring at him.

"Oh my God!! I am scared." Saptarshi said with a fake expression of fear. Amusement was dancing in his eyes.

"Dada, I am serious. " Sanchita whined like a child.

Saptarshi laughed and said ," Okay okay..now Go. I promise..I won't watch."

Sanchita smiled gleefully and skipped out of his room,   singing a random song.

Saptarshi shook his head with a smile ,seeing his sister's antiques.

Switching off the TV, he laid down on the bed.

All of a sudden his phone pinged indicating that a message had arrived.

Frowning to himself, he checked his phone only to feel mixed emotions.

Shock, Anger, Helplessness, Confusion and Fear.

Here is the update.

How's it? Let me know.

The update was late as I needed time to think how to write the chapter and progress after it. So I got late.

Thank you so much for reading.

Don't forget to Vote, Comment and Share.