The landlady's maid lingered nearby announcing that Aman was expected downstairs, causing his face to fall. The senior lady had received Nobin da herself and when he introduced himself as Randhir's maternal grandfather she decided to summon Aman away so that the guest may be left undisturbed. She was not sure how Nobin da would react to Sanyukta's presence in Randhir's life. Just before she stopped unveiling herself Sanyukta had revealed her identity to the landlady, confiding into her the background that had forced her to go incognito. The wise lady had always known the girl had reasons for living mysteriously, and after she confided into her she offered her whole-hearted support to the cause, already aware that the relationship between Randhir and Sanyukta had transcended to the next level. Worried that their families may react unkindly to the nature of the bond between the lovers she had assumed it would be best if Aman was not present upstairs lest things became awkward between Sanyukta and Randhir's grandfather.

Sanyukta quickly put together a generous takeaway plate of snacks for Aman and also packed some tea for him in a flask, handing those over to the maid. She helped him gather his art material and his project and kissed him goodbye before sending the reluctant boy downstairs. Nobin looked on with interest as Sanyukta's bond with Aman became obvious to him. Sanyukta now turned her attention to her unexpected visitor, offering him some pakoras in a plate and a cup of lemon tea. She remembered to ask him if he preferred tea or coffee with milk instead but he held up his palm indicating he found her tea agreeable enough, that he had acquired a taste for lebu chai as his wife was lactose-intolerant. His words brought a warm smile to Sanyukta's lips, something his sharp eyes noticed at once. She explained that Randhir spoke about his Didima so nostalgically that whenever he was around she tried to rebuild his childhood memories by plying him with the same food and drink because it reminded him of his beloved Didima whom he missed so much. 

Nobin da took a bite of her ajwain leaf pakora and his memories of Madhabi were rekindled, she had been the first to introduce it to him, with its strong thyme-oregano taste. He noticed the bottle of a popular brand of Kolkata kasundi next to the ketchup bottle and with a twinkle in his eye he quizzed her about how she got hold of it, it would hardly be available in faraway Mumbai. His question made her apprehensive, she looked into his eyes and saw an uncanny intelligence, she knew it was not a coincidence that he was visiting her, definitely Vidushi had a role to play here, although she did not know how much had been revealed to him. Ever since Ira had shown interest in Randhir Vidushi had been pushing panic buttons. From the siblings frequent references to him Sanyukta knew she was facing a very perceptive man, indeed Randhir had inherited his brilliance from none other. She sighed deeply and decided to spill the beans to him, unsure how it would effect him.

She sang the whole opera - how she had sneaked into the wedding home uninvited and spent the night in Randhir's room and how she had seen their old picture albums. Excusing herself for a minute she rushed into her room and was gone for some time. Meanwhile Nobin da surveyed the apartment's terrace, espying the well-tended kitchen garden, the cozy furniture and the swing, and most of all the night jasmine plant flanking a Krishna idol. Nobin could not but help recall the vibrations he had sensed the night of Arohi's wedding, the aura of Madhabi around him, making him wonder if this girl's presence under the same roof that night had anything to do with it. He had always been a rational man, valuing logic above all, never superstitious. He decided  he could not afford to jump to conclusions, deciding to wait and watch. 

Just then Sanyukta returned with a little enameled jewel box and  opening it before him she reached out for a small pouch containing some dried seeds of the night jasmine. She narrated to him how she had felt compelled to gather the seeds from the shiuli plant in the Rajbari, explaining how her special attachment to them harked back to the childhood incident when Randhir had planted the first jasmine for her from a sapling grown from seeds of Didima's plant. Nobin listened with rapt attention as Sanyukta opened her soul to him, her eyes betraying her sincerity and earnestness. Just then he spotted something silver in her jewel box and he instinctively reached out, pulling out a tiny child's anklet with a distinctive design. Seeing him examine the pattern carefully she told him she did not remember much but its pair had been misplaced in her childhood, and she had kept it close to her, never being able to let go because it was a link to her toddler days in Kolkata. With her permission he clicked a few pictures of the anklet using his phone and then handed it back to her. As she took it quietly she mused about why he had reacted so to see the baby anklet, having noticed a softening in his expression.

He told her the reason for his visit, commending her on her honesty in revealing the truth to him. Sanyukta's guess had been right, it was Vidushi who chose to enlist his help, telling him everything about Randhir and Sanyukta's remarkable love story and how Renuka was meddling by trying to pair off Randhir and Ira. Vidushi told him about Sanyukta's modest roots and how she had left home to be close to Randhir, albeit as Yasmeen, having kept up with the charade for over a year. Nobin had found the story far-fetched but felt honour-bound to intervene on Vidushi's behalf. Taking the opportunity of a business-trip to Mumbai he decided to pay a visit to the girl Vidushi had been sympathetic to, knowing fully well that Randhir would be away at the time. Nobin's instincts had been honed to perfection from years of experience and he knew by spending just a few minutes alone with her he would be able to size up Sanyukta. If he was to offer his counsel in the matter he had to know her fully and assess where she stood vis a vis Randhir. By now, he decided, he had seen enough. 

Without mincing words he asked her what she was expecting from her relationship with Randhir, reminding her that Renuka had plotted a long and demanding course for Randhir in which a girl like Sanyukta had no future. Sanyukta told him the truth that she was aware of the problem but was willing to give it her best shot, the fact that she now shared a relationship with Randhir against all odds was motivating enough. And then unexpectedly she surprised him by asking for his opinion and advice. He responded with brutal honesty that she would have to plan strategically or she would not stand a chance. He told her he needed to gather more information to be able to give her sound advice, especially regarding pitfalls. Noting down her details he asked her to mail her CV to him. He urged her to keep his visit a secret from Randhir and thanked her for her hospitality; mentioning that he had to rush to the airport to board his flight to Kolkata. She escorted him downstairs to the waiting car and said a warm goodbye asking him to visit whenever he came to Mumbai. After he left she turned to go and noticed her landlady studying her with a quizzical expression. She blushed and assured her that things went far better than she had expected, asking her not to mention anything to Randhir because she did not want him to be stressed on her account.