Bengal, Chatterjee House

Tripti's gaze fell upon Indranil. 

He came and sat on the sofa, with a soft smile on his lips and a calm demeanour; as if nothing had happened. He was smiling, talking normally, like no one would ever have an idea. And seeing him like that, a strong shiver ran down her spine. No one, no one could've any imagination what he really was. Indranil's eyes trailed towards Tripti meanwhile, and his lips pressed into a thin line; he wasn't smiling but also not frowning. It was a weird, stoic look that was plastered on his face as he kept staring at her. 

Tripti felt jammed on the spot, as she exhaled. Meghmaala nudged her playfully, and she came out of her thoughts. She flinched as she gazed at her cousin, and Saudamini who exchanged teasing glances with each other.

"Now keep staring at Indranil, he's all yours," Meghmaala winked, as Tripti gave her a fading look of blankness, "You don't have to depend on his photographs now."

Only if they knew.

For the first time, Tripti knew how difficult it was to force a smile and pretend that everything was okay, and at the same time having a notion was what was supposed to be coming in her life.

And she couldn't do anything about it.

That heavy pit which was swirling in her stomach was difficult to evade. She took brisk steps, looking down and gently sat beside Indranil, who was still staring at her like that. With that weird pressed lips cryptic smile. That cryptic smile denoted a threat, a warn. A threat that he was going to control each and every aspect of her life and have her under his mercy.

And she better accept it, or else, she would have to face hell.

Hell.

"You're looking extravagant, my love," Indranil uttered in a sweet tone, causing Tripti to freeze. For everyone it was a compliment, but for her it was a dread. Her fingers started to shiver for a moment, she had to abruptly fold them inside her palms so as to not make it visible. She was unable to comprehend, unable to explain herself the fear that she was in.

What was about to happen with her?

.

.

.

Tripti closed her eyes as one of the women came forward to bless her and Indranil, smearing her forehead with a red holy paste. Conch shells blew, and flowers were blowing each time one of the elder's came to bless her. 

All time with a forced smile, dreading for her future. 

She lifted her lashes as Anirban came forward with a grin on his face. Carefree, happy and a endearing look on his face. Her eyes began to water subtly, her heart thudding faster. For a moment she felt like running towards her brother, hug him and cry her heart out.

But what was she going to say?

What exactly was she going to say?

Why did Indranil abuse her? Because she was hugging Subhankar? 

What did she even have to speak in her defense? Even if she would tell anything, thousands of questions would arise against her only!

What was she supposed to do? With what face she can even stand against Indranil even if she wanted to?

Either ways, her family was going to be in trouble....

A soft sigh escaped her lips, her eyes began to glisten lightly. Anirban came forward with a smile, and took Indranil in a brief hug, "Look, I am entrusting my sister to you now, you better-"

"I will take care of her well," Indranil added, with that same smile, and everytime he spoke send shivers down her spine. Anirban detached from him, nodding and patting his shoulder. His eyes trailed towards Tripti, as he walked up towards her with a deep sigh. He couldn't believe the girl which used to cry and giggle in his arms had grown up this much....and she would be leaving soon.

How he wished he had skipped going to London...for time flew so fast that the two siblings couldn't even gather themselves up properly. Everything was hasting and there was no time to stand. 

Tripti gazed at her brother intently, inhaling short breaths. She wished hard, she wished her Anirban understood her eyes for once, even for a moment. He would understand the misery she was in, her helplessness and compulsion. She wished he would have an idea about the storm swirling in her heart and the fact she had no where to go. She wished he would within a jiffy understand what Indranil was in reality, and how she would end up jeopardizing her life with him.

For once, to understand her wavering heart.

For once, to understand the ache and agony behind those eyes....

Anirban's eyes furrowed slightly, the way Tripti was yearningly gazing at him....as if she wanted to tell him something. Tripti was always vocal about her likes and dislikes always, she had never looked at him like that. Her brows were slightly relaxed, she pressed her lips together and her eyes glistened. Her face seemed to lose color. 

Was he overthinking? Why was she looking at him like that?

He gently walked over to her, and crouched below. His eyes met her sister's, who gulped slightly. Smearing his finger with the holy paste, he brushed it over Tripti's forehead. Immediately conch shells blew and flowers were strewn with claps and cheers. Anirban flinched and looked around, and then gazed back at his sister, patting her head with a quick smile.

Something was definitely wrong. 

Tripti watched Anirban moving away, and standing beside Sarvadaman, one of the close colleagues of him and Subhankar. They had been friends till childhood, and though both of them had lost contact with a majority of their batchmates, Sarvadaman was still close to them; or rather with Subhankar since they were in the same class and year. He was giggling with his two year old son Rudraaksh in his arms, who was poking Anirban at intervals to catch his attention. 

Watching him made her realize that one person was missing from the entire hall.

Where was Subhankar? 

Tripti furrowed her brows, looking around for him. Savitri was there with her family, talking; he wasn't with her too.

Where did he vanish all of a sudden?

And then a sudden thought struck her...... was he upset because she had hugged him? 

She recalled how he was appearing all nervous after she had taken him aback with the hug. 

He was definitely upset, perhaps angry with her too. Tripti now felt like a sinking boat in the middle of a vast and ruthless ocean, as she closed her eyes firmly for a moment.

She felt like she had lost everything all at once; her voice, her freedom, a future.

But the thought of losing Subhankar was like a dreading blow out of everything. For a moment, she felt like she could bear them all, but not Subhankar's ignorance for her. Not him, not him after all. She could walk on the ruthless fire if he would promise to be on the other end. 

Him moving away from her, would be the last thing she ever wanted.

And she brought it upon all by herself. She was angry upon him, no doubt, for not hugging her back, for she had been overwhelmed that time; but that look of awkwardness on his face...

What if he now ignores her.....forever?

A sharp inaudible sigh escaped her lips, everything seemed to much to bear for the moment. 

Which demon should she fight first?

Which?

Her throat dried like a stone, her heart felt heavier than a boulder, and she spluttered like granules of sand. 

Haywire and shattered. 

Tripti breathed in, lifting her gaze as she noticed Subhankar walking in from the other side. Dressed in a crème designer kurta, a few of the strands of his hairs were falling on his face; brows narrowed down and lips pursed down. 

He...he was here. Unknowingly, a slight relief washed over her stance. 

But his stance told otherwise.

Tripti blinked, as she narrowed her gaze at him; he wasn't even looking at her even for a moment. There was a strange firm, stoic look on his face as he strode towards her and Indranil. His jaws appeared slightly stiff, his gaze lightly squinted.

His brown-green eyes were raving around them; he glanced at Tripti for a fraction of a moment and then at Indranil.

"Arrey, Subhankar son? Where were you for so long?" Tripti heard her aunt Shaanti, but Subhankar barely paid any heed to her. 

"Don't waste time son.....congratulate the couple and wish them....time is ticking," 

Tripti held the edge of her saree discreetly, while Indranil raised a brow, hinting slight confusion.

He looked....he looked angry? But the point was, she had never seen him that angry. 

"Where were you for this long?" Indranil feigned a weird innocence, though the seething hatred within him could be deciphered by Tripti. She hoped that he did nothing at that moment.....she hoped nothing happened that moment; she hoped that Indranil just gathered a bit of a respect and acknowledgement of what he had for her these years, and would spare her and Subhankar. 

Her heart seemed to be coming out of her heart. Why was Subhankar this weirdly quiet? 

His jaws clenched, his gaze appeared stone cold as it raved around Indranil rapidly, making the latter even more confused. 

"Subho...take-"

There was suddenly a harsh sound of a slap, and Indranil's almost fell against the couch cupping his jaw.

"SUBHO!" 

And a huge uproar.

***********

A/N

Abhi maja ayega na bhidu 🌝

Signing off for today!

Nushkie