The three of them began to tease and joke around. Ambika said, "Ugh, I'm so done with being jealous. Adrit da, can I ask you something? How did you accept it so easily? Can you tell me? Honestly, when I first heard about you, I thought, why would you marry my sister? But now, I want to ask—why didn't you protect her back then? Why did you leave her in Ankit's hands? I know we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but I still can't bring myself to respect the girl who ruined my sister's life."
Adrit said, "You know, everything depends on time. If none of this had happened, maybe I wouldn't have even realized that I loved her. I tried to make her understand back then, but she was in a different mindset, possibly addicted to something, so she avoided all of us. And when she finally realized it, it was already too late. Anyway, let's leave it at that."
Just then, Sauptik, who noticed them sitting together, couldn't help but keep glancing their way. He felt like going and sitting there too, but immediately thought Pragati di would scold him again. Just a while ago, he had asked everyone if they wanted tea, and when they all said no, he brought some anyway—but didn't ask them. Maybe they would've refused too, but still… Why did Pragati suddenly feel the need to reconnect after cutting off contact, claiming his brother was unwell? Was it for uncle's property? But that property belongs to the whole family, so what are they after? His thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing—
"Who wants to talk? Is it Somu—my son, Suman?" asked Shubhendu Babu in an emotional voice. "Alright, I'm coming right away," he said and hung up the phone.
Pragati came over and asked, "Uncle, has Suman regained consciousness?"
"Hmm," Shubhendu Babu nodded and said, "I'll go check on him once."
"I'll come too, Uncle," said Pragati quickly.
Even though her parents had left, Pragati stubbornly stayed back. Ruman had been quietly sitting for a long time. He didn't know what to do in this situation with his brother. But when he heard his brother calling, he said, "You're not going. It's because of you that he's in this state. Don't start anything here. You know he doesn't like you, so why are you bothering him? Dad, you go quickly and check on him. We'll go after."
Shubhendu Babu started walking toward the elevator, but then turned around, placed his hand on Amba's head, and said, "You should go too, dear. Somu is calling you."
Everyone was surprised by his gesture—most of all Amba. She had only ever seen him as an arrogant man, so this soft behavior was shocking. Still, she remained silent. Adrit cleared his throat and asked, "Suman da regained consciousness?"
"Yes, he has," said Shubhendu Babu.
"Okay, Uncle, you go. I'll take her. Besides, they won't let everyone in at once."
Amba didn't know what to say, tears started streaming down her face. Her throat tightened as she sobbed, "What if seeing me upsets him again? What then?"
Shubhendu Babu paused to think, then said, "Alright, you come, but you don't have to go in. Let me talk to him first. Then you can go."
Adrit added, "Let's go, Uncle. I'll bring Amba. And Ambika, please sit here. We'll be back. Don't go anywhere, please."
Pragati had been watching from afar and began walking toward them, but before she could reach them, Shubhendu Babu left with Amba and Adrit, and Pragati had to return to her spot.
Twenty-two minutes had passed since they left. Seeing Ambika sitting alone, Sauptik came and sat beside her.
"What's wrong? Are you mad because they left you here?"
"Do I look like a child to you?" snapped Ambika.
"Ugh, you always show your temper. I can't handle it anymore," Sauptik replied.
"You could've said something, right? And people like me, with our typical middle-class mentality—why would you associate with us anyway?"
Sitting next to her, Sauptik said, "Sorry, come on, don't be like that. Why does it matter what someone said?"
"It doesn't matter to you, Sauptik da, but it matters to me. So please leave me alone," Ambika said coldly.
"Sorry, really. Don't do this. Adrit da called and asked me to stay with you. So that's why I came."
Ambika didn't say anything more and fell silent. But she couldn't stay quiet for long and eventually said, "Hey, you never said you were Suman da's brother."
"And you didn't say you were Amba di's sister. How would I know you knew her?"
"And I'm more surprised—how did Suman da not realize it? He never even wanted to meet me once!"
Sauptik let out a long sigh and said, "It's a long story. If I tell you, it'll feel like a drama."
"Please tell me, Sauptik da, please."
Sauptik replied, "Let me first check how my brother is doing. Then I'll tell you everything."
Ambika stretched out her right hand and said, "Promise me."
Sauptik placed his hand over hers and said, "Promise."