Titli stood stunned as she saw Ria fainting. She just followed her father when Namit carried Ria to the sofa. Mita was already there with glass of water. They tried their best to bring back her consciousness. Seeing Ria not responding, Sumit ran to call the doctor.

The doctor took around 20 minutes to come. Those 20 minutes were hell for Mita. She could not stop blaming herself. On the other hand, Neelima's taunts felt unbearable to her."Didi, your son is too unlucky to have a married life. The first one died, now see what happens to her!", Neelima's taunts came to end as Mita looked at her with her eyes almost red with anger. She went after Niloy.

As the doctor came, everyone except Titli and Mita went near the dining table. With a frown in his face, Namit dialled Koustav. He answered after a few rings with a casual tone. His tone changed when he heard of her condition. He said nothing, just ended the call.

Titli was watching how the doctor was checking Ria's blood pressure. In these many days, Ria looked comfortable for the first time to Mita. Seemed like she was in peace, as if she was sleeping.Though she could not understand what he got to know out of it. Opening his briefcase, he started to write on his prescription pad.Namit came forward as the doctor asked to bring that fast. He brought out a syringe and started to tear the packaging.

Clearing his throat Sumit asked, "Parimal, how is she? What has happened to her?"

"Low blood pressure.....80/50",he answered cartly.

Checking her eyes he went on,"Seems like her hb level is low too. Was she starving? "

"No.",Mita replied standing up.

As Namit came back, the doctor gave her the injection. Rubbing her hand slowly, he kept the syringe aside, " then the cause may be extensive stress or straining. She will be up within some time. I need to run tests. But she gets her senses first. I have to know her case history.Otherwise, give me another call. Send Koustav to me in the mean time.", the doctor said getting up.

"I'll go with you. Her husband is not here." ,said Neelima giving a sly smile. The doctor left the house.

"Namit, help me in shifting her to my room. I can't see her here.", Mita spoke in a low voice. Her voice at the verge of sobbing.

Binni just cleaned the kitchen counter as she knew no one would cook anymore. She entered Mita's room to find her on the bedside of Ria. Only then Ria twitched her legs and opened her eyes. She really felt very weak. She found Mita calling her husband through Titli," call your jethu, and there is no need to tell Neelima." and caressing her hair,she asked," how are you feeling? Should I bring water? Will you drink some?"

Rest of the afternoon,everyone forgot to eat as they got busy taking care of Ria. Mita did not allow Neelima to come inside her room by the excuse of feeding Niloy. Namit,Sumit and others started to chat to lighten her mood. Ria kept looking at the grandfather clock. In her weak state too, her eyes looked for him.

Binni for the first time without asking , cooked khichdi and called Titli to eat. Titli was glued beside Ria. After being called many times, she went to eat. The food loving girl just gobbled her food that day. She was shocked with the loud thump at their door.

Titli ran to the gate. Opening it, she found a dishelved Koustav standing there. "How is she? Where...where is she? ", asked a huffing Koustav.He hurriedly got rid of his shoes and went as Titli pointed.

Ria was climbing down from the bed with Mita holding her back. Koustav entered and went ahead to help her. Seeing Mita's glare he stood aside too.

With a low voice and mild smile in her face, Ria asked," So....How are you?"

Koustav's inside pained hearing her. "A girl that cares so much, deserves much a better person than me.",he said to himself.Seeing him lost in his thoughts, Sumit elbowed," go behind them. What will you do standing here! And Parimal wanted to talk with you. So go there in the evening for her sake."

Like an obedient kid, Koustav followed the two ladies. Ria sighed reaching her room. Mita left to prepare for an early dinner that day. Titli was already in the room. Koustav thought of getting some privacy now but he could not get any as Titli declared suppressing a smile,"I'm here....you go and its time for you to exchange rooms with me."

Ria had no intention of interfering. She was happy to just see him. She slept on her side grabbing the pillow.

On the other hand, Koustav heard his mother almost yelling her heads off. As he came down to know the reason, she dragged him inside her room and Koustav silently heard every time she blamed him.

After half an hour he went back in front of his room. He was dying inside to talk to her. Suddenly Titli slowly got out of the room, "I heard all jethima said,go inside, she needs you more than me.". Koustav saw as Titli hopped downstairs.

The door made a sound as Koustav entered, Ria's sleeping trance was broken.

Ria- can you please put the lights on?

Koustav(turning on the light)- how are you feeling now?

Ria- groggy.

Koustav- I missed you. Can I...just hug you once?

Ria got up from her half lying position.She sat back and hugged him."I missed you more than you think. Can't even imagine."

Koustav chuckled. Caressed her unruly hairs,"saying this to a widower?"

Ria(looking at his eyes)- not that way. But you can never love me like i do.

Koustav- I don't express. That doesn't mean I don't worry for you.

Putting her head near the crook of his neck, Ria whispered,"May be I want to know...or listen."

Koustav made her closer to himself and asked,"What've you done to yourself? Is your bp always low?". To which Ria nodded a no."Then stop stressing yourself. I'm all yours. I'm here. Please be alright baby!",he added.

Ria loved his smell.She loved this moment. In his embrace, so close to his thumping heart. Clearly she effected him.

"If you feel good tomorrow. We'll go meet Rik, ok?",Koustav asked. His words made Ria happy-he could tell this not even looking at her. "Did you started having nightmares again?"

Ria's words made him amazed."How do you know?",he asked."I heard you, before your trip. By the way, how was your trip? Enjoyed well?",asked Ria with a taunting smile.

Koustav replied nothing just sat there. Time passed from evening to night. Around 9 pm, Ria's phone started to buzz. It was her mother calling. Putting the phone on loudspeaker, Koustav answered it. She started with yelling at her not eating properly, Koustav was not spared too. He was blamed by her as a irresponsible partner. Ria could not even got a chance to ask her anything. She just carried on and ended the call.

Her whatsapp and inbox started flooding with "are you well?"messages. She requested Koustav to switch that device off. Koustav changed his clothes and came beside her. She lied in his arms embrace.

Around 9:30,their doorbell rang loudly. Not once,but thrice. Koustav might have slept too. He hurriedly got downstairs. Nabila and Romy were there along with a man,who seemed known. But he couldn't recognise him properly. Seeing him frowning, Romy introduced,"He is Ujaan. My friend. And this is Koustav,Ria's husband."

"How is she?",Ujaan asked suddenly.

"How can she faint? Can we see her?"these words by Ujaan irritated the hell out of Koustav. He clenched his teeth seeing his audacity.

Humbly he put on a smile,"She is under medication. She is okay now. But sorry guys,she can't meet you all right now. " Hearing it,Romy and Nabila visibly got relief. But Ujaan kept staring at him.

Then Koustav looked directly at Ujaan and said,"You shouldn't worry....I'm here to look after her. "

Ujaan faked a smile before leaving,"She wouldn't be in this if you were.Tell her that I'm just a call away. She can call me if she needs anything."

Koustav opened the door for him and whispered,"she won't need you. Now I'm here too. Stay away from us."

The two ladies followed him too and waved an awkward bye. They had no idea what just happened.

On the other hand, Ria got up in this chaos. She turned on her phone. The message that bothered her was a message from an unknown number,

"

Ria almost had dropped it,if Koustav hadn't come.His eyes popped out it too. But seeing her condition, he deleted it, blocked the number, and guided downstairs to feed her something.

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