episode:“When Ice Meets Fire”
1313 Words
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Titir came back from college, a little tired. She unlocked the gate and quietly stepped inside the house. Weariness showed all over her body, her bag hanging loosely from her shoulder. She walked straight into the drawing room—and froze.
On the sofa sat a stranger. A laptop open in front of him, fingers moving fast, brows furrowed in concentration. He looked around 28–30, dusky skin, sharp glasses resting on his nose, a light beard framing his face. His presence carried both seriousness and a strange charm.
Titir leaned toward her mother and whispered,
— “Ma, who’s that man? Did he come with Rudra?”
Her stepmother replied softly,
— “Yes, his name is Kian. He’s Rudra’s project partner, and he’ll be staying with us for some time. A very polite boy, and quite smart in his work.”
Titir looked surprised.
— “What! He’s going to stay here? And you didn’t tell me earlier?”
Stepmother smiled,
— “You were at college. And if I’d told you, you would’ve only gotten angry.”
Titir stole another glance to see if the man was looking her way. He wasn’t. She muttered under her breath,
— “Great. Another Rudra! This house is officially an office now.”
Her mother warned,
— “Mind your words. The boy is very well-mannered.”
Titir twisted her lips.
— “Well-mannered people give me allergies, Ma!”
Still, she thought, “I’m grown up now. No point in carrying unnecessary anger. The man hasn’t done anything wrong. At least I should be polite.”
She gathered some courage, walked closer to the sofa, and softly said,
— “Hi.”
Kian didn’t lift his eyes. His fingers kept typing.
Titir hesitated, “Maybe he didn’t hear?”
She raised her voice slightly,
— “Hello, I’m Titir.”
This time Kian looked up. His face remained expressionless. In a cold tone, he just said,
— “Hmm.”
Then his eyes went straight back to the laptop.
Titir stood frozen for a few seconds. A spark of irritation lit inside her.
She thought, “Ugh! And I thought he was a gentleman. Turns out he’s just ice-cold! And I went out of my way to talk to him—now I look like a fool!”
Biting her lip, she spun around and stormed off to her room.
From the doorway, Tina had been watching the little exchange. She smirked to herself,
— “Well, well… something interesting is about to start between these two. And I’m going to enjoy every bit of it.”
---
Inside her room, Titir slammed the door shut. She let her hair loose, stood before the mirror, fuming.
— “I’m not talking to anyone anymore. No one! Who even is this Kian? I said hi, and he acted like I was invisible!”
She mocked herself in front of the mirror,
— “Hello, I’m Titir!”
Then imitated his dry reply,
— “Hmm!”
Bursting into laughter, she collapsed on her bed.
— “God! I thought he’d at least be civil. But nope—I’m the i***t now.”
She hugged a pillow dramatically,
— “From today, no more talking to anyone. Not Rudra, not Kian, not Ma, not Tina—silence for everyone!”
Just then Tina called from outside,
— “Titir, is your anger over or is the drama still going on?”
Titir turned toward the door and said,
— “Not drama—this is real pain!”
Tina chuckled,
— “I’m bringing tea. If you don’t drink it with that grumpy face, your health will suffer.”
Titir muttered under her breath,
— “Tea you’ll bring, but a little respect would’ve been nicer too!”
---
Living Room
Bisso was sitting on the sofa watching TV, while Tina shouted from the kitchen,
— “Hey Bisso! I’ve been cooking alone since morning, and you’re just sitting there watching serials!”
Bisso laughed,
— “Not serials, darling, it’s the news! Is it wrong to stay informed about the country?”
Tina snapped,
— “Then along with the country’s condition, why don’t you check your wife’s condition too!”
Bisso immediately got up and walked into the kitchen.
— “Alright, my queen, tell me what I should do.”
Tina handed him some spices,
— “Grind this. And carefully! Last time you spilled it everywhere.”
Bisso grinned,
— “I only spill love, not spices!”
Tina rolled her eyes,
— “Your love is always lacking in salt!”
Bisso teased,
— “That’s why you always balance it out with your spicy words.”
Titir, passing by, laughed,
— “You two sound like a live theater show!”
Tina winked,
— “This is married life—quarrels, jokes, and love.”
---
Later, Titir’s mother walked into the kitchen and found Bisso grinding spices while Tina stood supervising.
She frowned,
— “Oh God! My poor son, Bisso, you’re making him work? The boy has office duties, why burden him like this?”
Bisso quickly put on a sad face,
— “See? No one understands my suffering!”
Tina retorted,
— “Suffering? Just grinding some spices and you’re acting like a martyr? Ask Titir!”
From the door, Titir called out laughing,
— “Yes, Ma, Bisso dada looks like he’ll faint any second!”
Mother chuckled,
— “That’s what happens when you marry someone like Tina—she makes sure the house runs! But Tina, you’re doing wonderfully.”
Tina beamed,
— “That’s all I want, Ma—appreciation!”
Bisso muttered,
— “Everyone’s on Tina’s side… I’m all alone!”
Titir burst into laughter, and the whole house suddenly felt lighter.
---
Dinner Table
The table was filled with steaming rice, dal, fried eggplant, meat curry, and chutney.
Sima took a bite and exclaimed,
— “Tina boudi, your cooking is amazing today!”
Immediately Bisso raised his voice,
— “Exactly! Don’t forget my contribution. Without me, Tina couldn’t have managed so easily!”
At that, Tina shot him a look so sharp that Bisso instantly shut his mouth and busied himself with his spoon.
Titir whispered to Sima,
— “See? He tried to steal Tina’s credit and got busted!”
Sima giggled,
— “These two fight like characters straight out of a serial.”
Everyone chuckled and continued eating. The atmosphere turned warm and cheerful.
---
Later that night
After dinner, everyone went to their rooms. Sima softly knocked on Titir’s door.
— “Didi, are you asleep?”
— “No, come in,” Titir replied, sitting on her bed.
Sima came in and sat beside her. For a while, neither said a word. Then Sima leaned her head on Titir’s shoulder.
— “You know, didi, I really hate it when you stay angry with me.”
Titir stroked her hair.
— “And you’re always busy with school and homework… If you weren’t here, I’d be completely alone.”
Sima smiled softly.
— “No matter how angry you get, I love you so much, didi. Today when you fell and ran away, I laughed—but later I felt really bad.”
Titir hugged her tightly.
— “My little sister, I love you more than anyone. As long as you’re with me, I’m never alone.”
Sima suddenly said,
— “Even if Rudra da is here, no one can take you away from me.”
Titir laughed,
— “Silly girl! Who said he’s mine?”
The two sisters sat close, their love and little quarrels binding them in an invisible thread. Whatever storms brewed outside, this bond made their home a place of peace.
- Writer
