The evening had given way to night.
In the city's play of light and shadow stood a large, luxurious house.
A tall gate, a white marble driveway, sprawling green lawns, and fountains all around.
Inside was a double-height living room. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, bathing the entire space in soft, warm light.
The marble floor gleamed under the glow, while shadows danced across the wood-panelled walls.
The sofas were upholstered in deep purple velvet, flanked by golden lamps. The room was quiet, yet that quietness carried a heavy stillness.
Anurag sat silently on one of the sofas. His father sat beside him.
**Mr. Arindam** (looking at Anurag, voice soft):
"Son… listen. I've settled all my business in America. My new office and new projects are all ready there. Yes, I'll have to come back to the country every three months. But the main company is now headquartered there. Your mother's main company is also in America. This is just a branch. She'll have to travel to America every few months too. So I thought… come with us to America."
Anurag fell into deep thought. His face remained completely expressionless.
Mrs. Arundhati felt a slight hesitation in her heart. Because she knew her son's soul was rooted in this country. His heart belonged entirely to Sneha.
She was about to stop her ex-husband when he continued enthusiastically.
**Mr. Arindam** (excitedly):
"And you will take over the business. You are my only son. With a well-educated, honest, and responsible son like you, my business will reach even greater heights. You can even start new projects if you want."
Anurag said nothing. He kept his head lowered, lost in deep thought. A storm raged inside his mind — Sneha's face, the school inquiry, his overwhelming guilt… everything blended into chaos.
Anirban Sir stood nearby, continuously shaking his head. Disbelief in his eyes.
**Anirban** (to himself):
"No… no… this can't happen…"
But suddenly, Anurag lifted his head. His voice was calm yet firm.
**Anurag:**
"I agree. I want to go to America."
Anirban Sir looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His eyes widened in shock.
**Anirban** (whispering):
"What… what did you just say?"
Mr. Arindam placed a hand on his son's back.
**Mr. Arindam:**
"That's my boy! I'll apply for your US visa today itself."
Mrs. Arundhati Devbarman looked at her son. There was not a trace of excitement on Anurag's face. But what could she do?
Mr. Arindam got up from the sofa and walked toward the dining room with his ex-wife.
Now only Anurag and Anirban remained in the room. The grey sky outside had grown even darker. Thunder rumbled. It was going to rain.
**Anirban** (worried):
"Have you gone mad?! You're going to America? Just like that? Leaving everything behind?"
Anurag remained silent. He gave no answer. His gaze was fixed straight ahead on the empty wall. He didn't even look at Anirban Sir.
**Anirban** (more desperately):
"Anurag! Look at me! What will happen to Sneha if you leave? She won't be able to live even a single day without you! If you go, she'll completely break down! She'll go mad with pain!"
Tears welled up in Anurag's eyes. But he didn't turn his gaze.
**Anurag** (voice broken):
"I know… I know everything. But if I stay near her, it will only bring harm to her. It will be better for her if I go far away."
**Anirban** (angry and hurt):
"No! Don't talk nonsense! She can't live without you. If you leave, she'll lose her mind! Don't you care about her at all? Even a little?"
**Anurag** (eyes filled with tears, but holding them back):
"I do care… of course I care. I care very much. But my presence will only bring danger to her. I am the reason for her distraction. Because of me, she can't focus on her studies. The whole school is talking about her. Her uncle and aunt are blaming her. If I stay, she will never have a normal life."
**Anirban** (eyes wet):
"Anurag…"
**Anurag** (voice choked with emotion):
"Please don't mind. Just let me go."
**Anirban** (voice filled with pain):
"You know… I can't live even a day without you. What will I do if you leave? You are my family. How will I survive without you?"
Anurag Sir stood up and walked over to Anirban Sir.
**Anurag** (placing a hand on Anirban's shoulder):
"I'm very sorry… Please look after Sneha for me. Take care of her. Make sure she studies. Make sure she stays well. I'll call you every day. I'll ask about her. But please… let me go."
**Anirban** (in a broken voice):
"You know… I can't live without you either."
Anurag Sir pulled Anirban into a tight embrace.
_
_
_
Sneha's house.
It was late at night.
A light rain was falling outside, droplets sliding down the windowpanes.
Inside the room, the lights were dim, with only a table lamp glowing.
Sneha sat on her bed, face buried in her knees.
Her eyes were swollen, cheeks wet, face red from crying. She couldn't stop crying. Every now and then, she took deep, shuddering breaths.
The door opened and Aunty Nitu walked in, holding a glass of water. Her face showed worry and helplessness.
**Aunty Nitu** (gently):
"Sneha… my child… why are you crying like this? Come on, drink some water."
Sneha didn't lift her head. She continued sobbing and said,
**Sneha** (voice trembling):
"Aunty… Sir has left… Sir has left me… What will I do now?"
Aunty Nitu sat beside her on the bed and placed a hand on her back.
**Aunty Nitu:**
"Oh, you silly girl… he hasn't left. He just left the school. He'll come back."
**Sneha** (crying out):
"No! He won't come back! I know it! Sir will never come back! They threw him out of school! He lost his job! Because of me! Because of me, all this happened to Sir!"
Her voice broke with sobs. Sneha hugged her knees and cried harder.
**Sneha** (sobbing):
"I told you… it was all my fault… I asked Sir… I wanted it… But Sir didn't do anything wrong… He only loved me… And I… I ruined everything… Sir's job… Sir's respect… everything…"
Aunty Nitu pulled Sneha into her arms.
**Aunty Nitu** (comforting her):
"Shhh… quiet, my child… this isn't your fault. You're just a young girl… what do you understand? That man is the one at fault. He manipulated you. He wanted to destroy your life."
**Sneha** (shouting through tears):
"No! Sir is not at fault! Sir loved me! Sir would do anything for me! Sir never forced me! I wanted him! I wanted Sir! And today Sir has gone away… because of me… because of me…!"
Sneha covered her face with her hands and cried. Her body shook with every heavy breath.
Seeing Sneha break down so completely, Aunty Nitu was stunned. Sneha loved her Sir this much! For some reason, she started feeling guilty herself.
**Sneha** (crying bitterly):
"Sir… why did you leave? I can't live without you… I will die… I can't survive without Sir…"
Hearing Sneha's words, Aunty Nitu was shocked. Sneha had never spoken like this before.
**Aunty Nitu:**
"What kind of crazy things are you saying?! Forget about Sir! Focus on your studies. Fulfill all those dreams you had."
**Sneha** (sobbing):
"I can't live without Sir!!! I have nothing left!!! Sir is my everything!!!! And I love my Sir!!! "
Aunty Nitu touched Sneha's forehead and realized she was running a fever.
**To be continued…**