It had been around a month since I gave birth.
Today, I was going back home.
I packed my luggage slowly… then my baby's things.
But I still hadn't named her.
I had thought that if it were a boy, I would name him Aarnik.
But she was a girl… and I was confused.
I asked everyone for a name, but I didn't like any of them.
Just then, Manya came in and said softly,
"Baby, I am here."
She picked her up.
"Samira, did you think of a name?"
She stared at me as if I must have chosen one.
"No, I couldn't. Sorry. We were so busy with the investigation that I didn't even live my pregnancy," I said, sitting on the bed.
My sister-in-law came in.
"What happened, Sammy?"
"Nothing… I couldn't name my baby," I cried.
She laughed gently.
"Name her after someone you love… someone you regret going far away."
I paused.
"How about Myra? My grandpa Charles used to love this name and wanted someone in the family to have it. I forgot about it completely."
"It is a very pretty name. Now let's go."
"Okay, let's go."
We left the room and went to the car.
The baby was sleeping soundly.
Manya sat beside me, and we went back home.
Mom was standing at the entrance with a plate of arti.
She put tika on my forehead and on Myra's tiny head, then waved the arti around us.
I went to my room to place her in the crib.
It was pink and purple.
Suddenly, a loud noise came from outside.
Manya screamed,
"Bro, don't run, you will fall! You dropped your coat! You never came to meet her in the hospital for a month—what are you doing now?!"
He replied breathlessly,
"I was out for an urgent meeting. It was important. I came today only."
He came into the room, hugged me tightly, and started crying.
"Please don't break up. I can't live without you. No matter what you do, I will never stop you. I was just scared… scared I would lose you like my parents and your brother—my best friend."
I stared at him.
"Yes, he was my best friend. He was just two months younger than me. Don't stare at me like you will kill me."
He kissed my forehead and hugged me again.
Slowly, I hugged him back.
On the other side, Arya told Advait,
"Advait, I want to tell you something."
He looked at her and sat on the couch.
"Yes, tell me."
She took divorce papers from her side table and gave them to him.
"What is this, Arya? Are these some papers?"
Tears started falling.
"We signed a contract that we would divorce when Aariv grew up. I never wanted to expect love from you… but I fell for you. You are so gentle that I couldn't control myself. I am sorry. These are the divorce papers. I got them prepared from Samira. Let's end this marriage, please. I will get hurt more and more. I know you have a fiancée. You love her. Her name is Pratiksha. She went for studies and came back today. You went to pick her up from the airport."
He stood up.
"You were stalking me?"
She got scared.
"No, I didn't. I just heard you talking to her. I didn't stalk you. Please don't misunderstand. I will sleep with Samira today."
She started walking, but he grabbed her hand.
She removed his hand and ran toward my room.
She saw me hugging Sarthak, smiled softly… and then went to sit near the swimming pool.
After some time, I saw her sitting there.
It was December winter, and she was wearing a thin night suit.
I ran downstairs, brought a blanket, wrapped it around her, and sat beside her, dipping my feet in the water like she was doing.
She looked at me, started crying, and hugged me.
"What happened? Don't cry," I said, confused.
"I told him to give me a divorce," she whispered.
I was shocked.
"What did you do? Why did you tell him to divorce you? Are you mad?"
"Samira, I didn't want to… but I saw him with Pratiksha. He loves her. She is the best for him. He went to pick her up."
I screamed,
"What? He went for Pratiksha? He is married to you! They were fiancés before your marriage, but my mother told her grandpa everything and they canceled the wedding completely."
"But he loves her," she said softly.
"Yes, but she left him for studies and told him to move on."
"But he loves her, and that's what matters."
"It doesn't matter, Arya. What matters is that you are his wife."
She wiped her tears.
"Do you have some wine? I want to drink."
"Of course. Papa will have some in his collection."
We went inside.
"What do you want to drink? Emerald Blue, Sweet Kiss, Unforgotten Love—what do you want?"
I turned and saw her looking at our family photograph.
I stood beside her and began telling her about everyone in it—
my brother Aarnik, Sarthak's parents, Manya, my parents, Advait, Aarav, grandpa, grandma…
the truth hidden behind that smiling picture…
my brother's killer… Martika… everyone.
Then she told me about her own family—
how her parents died in an accident, how her brother couldn't survive the trauma, how they went bankrupt, how she lived with her grandparents, and how relatives took them in…
how everyone thought she married into a perfect family, not knowing it was only a contract.
She wiped her tears, picked the Unforgotten Love bottle, took two glasses, and sat at the dining table.
I sat in front of her.
We cheered and drank.
She finished one glass and poured another.
"If my brother divorces you, I will take you in as my friend or sister—not out of pity, but truly. I will ask my parents to adopt you."
"You are too good, Samira. Whenever you cry, my heart hurts badly. Your smile is so beautiful. You are the most beautiful person I have ever met—by face and by heart. Can I hug you?"
She hugged me tightly, then sat back.
After two bottles of wine, she was very drunk, twirling the glass and staring at me.
"Do you know… I was just twelve when I lost my whole family? First my parents in an accident, then my brother… he couldn't handle the depression and took his own life. It was my birthday. I never forgave myself for calling them home early. People see when a girl cries, but when a boy cries, they mock him. Sarthak cannot handle it anymore. He loves you so much. You deserve it. When love is strong, even the whole world cannot separate them… but my luck has been bad since childhood."
Suddenly, Advait appeared.
"What are you both doing? Arya, don't drink."
He took her glass.
She touched his abs and smiled drunkenly.
"Hey boy… what a beautiful figure. I will give you money… you just have to make me happy tonight."
His face hardened.
He grabbed her, lifted her in his arms, and carried her to the room.
I went back to mine, strangely happy for her.
Sarthak was sleeping, telling Myra a story in his sleep.
I took the book from his hand, kissed his head, and lay beside him.
He cuddled me unconsciously… and we slept.
Not knowing that we would be forced to wake up in the middle of the night.