Arnab and Sayantani were the closest friends in college. But after finishing their studies, when Arnab moved abroad, a significant distance was created between them. When Arnab returned to Dhaka after a long five years, he could hardly recognize Sayantani. The lively, vibrant girl from their college days had somehow become listless, serious, and mysterious. She did smile, but there was no life behind that smile.
One day, on a cloudy evening, Arnab insisted on taking Sayantani to a resort outside Dhaka. The only goal was to bring back his old friend to her former self. But as if by nature's rule, that night it began to rain heavily. A fierce storm and flashes of lightning caused the entire resort to lose power.In the dim light of the candles, they sat in a room beside the balcony. Outside was the roar of the storm, and inside was a strange silence. Arnab noticed that Sayantani was holding a blue envelope tightly in her hand. Her hand was trembling.
Arnab couldn't hold back any longer. He sat facing Sayantani, taking her cold hands into his. In a very soft yet firm voice, he said, "Sayantani, I wasn’t by your side for five years. But today, I stand before you. I see you are slowly disappearing inside. On this stormy night, you have to spill your guts. Whatever toxic stone is accumulated within you, let it all out today. Don’t hurt yourself anymore; I will listen to everything."Sayantani looked into Arnab's eyes. In thecandlelight, there was no curiosity in Arnab's eyes, only a sea of trust. Tears rolled down the corners of Sayantani's eyes. She reached out the envelope to Arnab and began to speak in a trembling voice about the darkest chapter of her life.
Just a year after going abroad, Sayantani's father got caught up in a terrible financial scandal. He had actually been framed. Taking advantage of that situation, a powerful distant relative of Sayantani began to blackmail her. If Sayantani didn't marry him, her father would go to jail. To save her father's honor, Sayantani agreed to that hellish marriage, sacrificing her own career and dreams.Since the marriage, she had been subjected to mental and physical abuse every day. Inside that blue envelope were the divorce papers and all the evidence of that man's misdeeds, which Sayantani had painstakingly collected. But she hadn't had the courage to fight alone. Out of fear of his threats, she had remained silent all this time, even hiding everything from Arnab.
After pouring out all her thoughts in one breath, Sayantani rested her head on Arnab's chest and began to cry loudly. All the tears, humiliation, and fears pent up over five years were washing away like the rainwater.Arnab tightly embraced Sayantani and said, "You are not alone anymore. By bringing out such a big truth today, you have lightened your heart. Now the responsibility to fight is mine."
By that time, the storm had subsided. Sayantani realized that after revealing all her hidden pains to her dear one, her heart felt much lighter today. For the first time in a long time, she could take a deep breath of fresh air.
