Gayatri's first day at the college created a massive stir. 

Every professor had noted her academic brilliance, and the department HOD even said that Shreetama might finally have a genuine competition during the finals. Though Shreetama didn't take that to heart, and her envy was long gone once Gayatri introduced herself, she still wondered why she was getting so bothered. After all, she should be befriending her and not harbour a certain kind of consciousness around her. 

However, if spoken from the nature of her gender, yes, as a woman, she did compare herself to Gayatri. Perhaps she had the traits Shreetama wanted for herself. Confidence, presence, a great figure, the grooming she received from her mother, and, of course, an elegance that was hard to ignore. She wasn't exactly insecure, but deep down, she too wondered, "Why can't I be like her, even though I grew up in a metro city?"

Gayatri's presence and charisma were such that she triggered a deep emotional reaction out of Shreetama, which she immediately suppressed. Still, she couldn't help but notice how the seniors turned heads in the corridor and the juniors looked at Gayatri with wide-eyed admiration.

"I hope you are not uncomfortable," Shreetama had cautiously asked, but Gayatri's reply was tight and clear. 

"No."

What confused Shreetama was that Gayatri wasn't unaware of the effect she had on others; rather, she wore it like a silent crown. She didn't seem to be the shy girl that Sanchari had described, and certainly, she didn't need Shreetama's help in finding her way around the campus. 

While she did look like an introvert, but not exactly shy.

"Kakima must have told you – "

"Yes," Gayatri interrupted and informed, "Maa did mention about you and Rohit – "

"Ah, that would be me," Rohit suddenly appeared beside Shreetama and slid into the seat with an easy, polite smile. Gayatri's eyes flickered towards him, and she stilled. 

For a moment, Shreetama half-expected Rohit to falter, to be like everyone else who seemed momentarily dazzled by Gayatri's beauty. But it took only that single second to prove her wrong.

Rohit didn't even spare Gayatri a lingering look. His expression remained steady, detached, almost professional, as he offered the briefest of introductions — respectful, but distant. Just as he did with most of the people. 

Shreetama knew Rohit protected his boundaries like a lone wolf. He didn't overshare, didn't mingle much and never went beyond his designated steps. There were very few people in his circle, and he kept it that way. 

Though he spoke politely with everyone and was mostly a people person but he had his own way of restrictions, which Shreetama respected a lot. 

"If you need anything — notes, class updates — just ask," Rohit said, his voice calm and courteous. "As for the society, I believe you must be somewhat familiar, given that it's your aunt's house."

"Not really. This is my first time in Kolkata," Gayatri said, and Shreetama noticed a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. Something she hadn't seen since Gayatri had stepped onto the campus. 

Rohit merely nodded, "I'm sure that won't be a problem. Shreetama can help you out." His tone was polite, almost too neutral, choosing to ignore anything unnecessary. Checking his watch, he added, "Anyway, I need to leave. My class starts in ten minutes."

He gave them both a nod, but when his gaze met Shreetama's, something softened. "Bye, Shree..." he murmured and squeezed Shreetama's palm under the table before leaving, but didn't acknowledge Gayatri at all.

The whole conversation had been so simple, so brief that it left Shreetama blinking, unsure how to process it. Was Rohit truly immune to Gayatri's beauty? Or... was he just trying to escape her, trying not to linger around her longer than necessary?

But then, she heard him say her name after so long, and all the doubt she had started to fade. 

Shreetama inwardly scolded herself. How could she even think otherwise? Even through all their anger and silence, how could she forget that Rohit loved her? Only her. He always had and always will.

For god sake, he was her husband! 

How could she deny that? 

No matter how much her pride screamed otherwise, she couldn't ignore that truth any longer. This time, she was determined to speak with him and sort out their sudden differences at the earliest. 

However, what Shreetama didn't notice was that although Rohit didn't have any interest in Gayatri, she had somehow found him fascinating. 

Shreetama didn't notice the glint in Gayatri's eyes when Rohit looked at Shreetama. She didn't notice Gayatri's gaze lingering on him as he went down the corridor. She didn't notice that Gayatri Chowdhury had seen their little exchange and didn't like it. 

Over the next few days, Gayatri attached herself to Rohit and Shreetama like a shadow. She would walk to the canteen with them, linger longer than needed after classes, slowly becoming a part of their circle. No one noticed as she had kept it so subtle on how she laughed at Rohit's jokes and listened a little too intently when he spoke, her eyes never leaving his face.

Shreetama had ignored the shift first, but then it became hard even for her to avoid. In fact, Gayatri made sure that she couldn't ignore her presence.

The lingering glances, the hint of possession in Gayatri's tone when she spoke of their plans and their conversations, which didn't include Shreetama. She was clearly making a move, and Shreetama was too naive to stop her. 

"So, Rohit was helping me with the literature notes last night," Gayatri said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as they walked down the corridor. "We were on call for almost two hours! Can you imagine?" She giggled. "I swear, he explains things so patiently... I don't know what I would have done without him."

"Wait, Rohit explained literature to you?" Shreetama confusingly asked.

"Yeah – "

"But he is an engineering student, how could he – "

"Oh come on, Shreetama," Gayatri lightly patted her shoulder and rolled her eyes, "For a genius like him, it is not hard to understand the underlines of poetry. He must be very romantic at heart."

Shreetama blinked, trying to piece her words together. "Oh... yeah... maybe," she said, forcing a small smile, though a tightness curled in her chest. "But I think it is better not to bother him with our subjects. He is very tense about the upcoming exams and needs a lot of time to prepare. I think, when you need any help, you can come down to my flat. We can study together."

Shreetama humbly offered, but Gayatri laughed, brushing it off like it was nothing. 

"You know, sometimes I feel like he understands me better than anyone else here. Like, I don't even have to explain too much. He just gets it, you know?"

Shreetama offered a nod, unsure what to say. Since when did Gayatri and Rohit have deep conversations? Moreover, Rohit had never mentioned anything about those calls to her. Then she remembered they still weren't on speaking terms.

"And he's soooo sweet," Gayatri continued, her voice thick with admiration, "always ready to help you know," she giggled. 

"Hmmm..." Shreetama just smiled and looked away to order a cup of tea for herself and a coffee for Gayatri. 

"Roothe sajan kaise manaawe ho raama..." Gayatri hummed gently, but the sound itched on Shreetama's skin. Also, because the song was particularly popular in their circle and Shreetama had been thinking of watching the film. 

"Isn't this the song from – "

"The new Byomksh Bakshi movie? Yes, I had asked Rohit if he wanted to come and watch it with me..." Gayatri spoke in a shy voice, taking the cup of coffee from the counter. "Thank god he said yes!"

"Oh..." Shreetama said carefully, feeling a strange chill despite the warm afternoon air as he reached for her tea. "You went to watch the movie with Rohit?"

"Yeah...Actually, I really wanted you to join us as well, but I remember you said you teach some needy children on Saturday afternoon."

"Yes, I do..." Shreetama looked away while they kept walking down the corridor with their respective beverages. While she remained quiet, it was becoming hard not to notice the signs she had been ignoring.

She had dismissed those signs as the new girl's enthusiasm, almost forgetting that Gayatri never behaved as a new girl. But now, hearing Gayatri speak about her conversations and plans with Rohit and also watching her blushing smile, Shreetama wasn't so sure anymore.

Something... didn't feel right.

She knew Rohit was unaware; otherwise, he would have never encouraged Gayatri. What Rohit didn't see, Shreetama could feel right inside her. Her conscience repeatedly warning her.

She could see that what Gayatri had for Rohit wasn't just liking anymore. It was clearly fascination that was a mere step away from turning into an obsession.

Rohit didn't seem to notice at all, or didn't he want to? But Shreetama could see it unfold like a silent storm, and she was scared.

"Those small little things were just the beginning. Gayatri soon began to interrupt conversations that once belonged to Shreetama and me solely. She complimented me too often, asked for help with the smallest tasks, and began making plans that never included Shreetama," dada sighed. "I didn't notice that she wasn't a third wheel anymore. Gradually, she was invading our space to become the dominant lead."

"And you let her?" I asked, a bit angry now. "Why didn't you speak with Shreetama di? Why didn't you sort out the differences, and why didn't you – "

"I DIDN'T NOTICE, VED!" my brother yelled, and I almost flinched. After maybe almost a decade, I heard him yell. 

"I didn't notice," regret shone brighter than grief in his eyes as he looked...defeated. 

"What did she do?" I managed to ask, but in a whisper. 

My brother collapsed on the bed, burying his face in his palms. He was taking time, and I let him. Silently sitting down beside him, I waited for him to speak. 

He spoke, but the broken, haunting look that crossed his face was enough to tell me that this was about to go downhill with full force. 

"The more we tried to bridge the gap between us, the more distant we became," he said. 

"Why? What happened?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. 

Dada looked away. "DISASTER."

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