"Look! The fireworks are about to start!", shouted Rumi pointing up in the sky.

The Sen family had gone out pandal hopping on the fourth day of Durga Puja, for they knew that once the five days of puja starts they would not have enough time to enjoy.

They all sat down on the field with children running around, vendors calling out to attract costumers and an announcement of the light show was heard in the background. If you are wondering, no, Abhik was not with them. He can't always be, he has a family as well.

But there was another person missing. Oindrila Sen herself was not seen in the family picture. It's not like she hadn't come, she didn't waste an entire hour struggling with the saree for nothing. She had just lost her crowd in the sea of people.

No one was too worried about her absence. They knew she would be able to trace them....somehow. Subho, though, did not feel right about the situation. He politely excused himself and went in the search of Oindrila.

The first firework went off, firework which meant more than just light to them. To them all present on the field, looking up, the light marked the confirmation of Maa Durga finally coming down on earth to bless them with her presence. 

Then everything went haywire. 

"Mishti!", a voice shouted over all the other voices as Subho ran towards the crowd formed.

There, Mishti was right there, all frozen. Tongues of fire eating up every thread of the pallu of her saree. The crowd whispered to each other in concern but no one dared to go in to help the poor girl.

Subho stomped on her pallu as hard as he could to put out the fire. Anger was visible on his face but so was worry.

"Mishti!", he shook her shoulders, bringing her back to the real world.

Her forehead immediately creased into a frown and she started breathing heavily. Subho cupped her face and looked around for any sign of injuries.

"Ki kore holo eta?", he asked

(How did this happen?)

"Ami...ami tomader khuj te gie...notice kori ni....", she could barely form full sentences.

(I..I was looking for you all...didn't notice...)

"How irresponsible can you be?", Subho let his hand fall to the sides. Oindrila could sense the fury in his voice which warned her not to look up. By then her family had collected in the crowd as she felt her mother give her a hug.

"Kichu ho e ni to?", she heard her ask

(Nothing happened, right?)

All she could manage was a shake of head.

"Hobe kikore didi, or bor je thik somoe eshe oke bachie dilo.", a middle aged woman from the crowd replied

(How will something happen? After all her husband came to save her at the right time.)

The comment embarrassed both of them and tried to leave the place as soon as possible.

They made their way home, cutting the trip short. Mishti felt guilty for ruining everyone's day....especially Subho's.

After reaching home, Mishti's chotoma treated the small burns she had received from the incident. It did not hurt much, but something in her still stung. 

"Subho r bapare bhabchis?", her chotoma asked.

(Thinking about Subho?)

Her eyes widened as a chuckle was heard.

"I understand you better than you think you do. He is a good guy, when we thought you will be able to find your way to us, he was the only one who went looking for you. If he didn't, I don't want to imagine what would have happened. This bond is very special, my dear, don't lose it."

Oindrila was confused yet another time. Why was everyone so interested about her.....and Subho? First her father then her aunt...do they know something I don't, she thought.

Her pishimoni had just left the room when Abhik barged in. What's with people forgetting the concept of knocking these days?

"You literally turned 26 just yesterdary, how can you be so irresponsible?", he was irritated.

"Please, Abhik, I already have people mad at me. I will go mad if I need to pacify one more person", she requested.

Abhik sat at the edge of her bed and looked at her for some times.

"Btw I have another performance at the cafe I perform at. In nobomi. You must come."

"I would have come anyways. I have never missed your programmes and I don't plan on breaking the record anytime soon."

"So Mr Foreigner er kamon katche chuti? West Bengal nischoi tar standard er niche?", Abhik mocked Subho

(So how is Mr Foreigner's vacation going? Surely West Bengal is below his standards?)

"What is your problem with him? Since the day he came you always are mocking him. Give him a chance, then you'll realize how wonderful of a person he is"

He stood up, joined his palms and gave a deep bow.

"You stay with your wonderful person. Ami gelam." with that he was gone too

(I am going)

"Abhik..Abhik!", Mishti tried calling him, in vain.

Subho's name suddenly reminded her that he has still angry at her. Stubborn like 5 year olds and calling me irresponsible, she shook her head and went out of her room, in search on an idea.

Subho was working on his laptop at the study table as a bowl of steaming tomato soup came into his view. His mouth started watering, looking at his most favourite food of all time.

Taking the bowl, just as he turned to thank the person who brought it to him, he was met by a surprise. A mishti meye (girl) with a mishti hashi (smile).

He handed over the bowl again and went back to his work in a serious face.

"Babumoshai, zindagi bari honi chahiye, lambi nahi. And will you be able to live happily when you are angry at the your friend", she pouted

(Sir, you should live life to the fullest not the longest)

He could feel a small smile threatening to bloom across his face, but he controlled himself. After all such attention comes few times in someone's life.

Not seeing any response, she took a seat beside him and said

"Very well then, as long as you don't accept this I will also not move from here". The determined look on her face did not help Subho's situation.

"You are very stubborn, you know that?", he finally looked at her.

She picked up spoonful of the soup and held it in front of him.

"So just accept it"

After contemplating for a while, he finally stuffed the spoon in his mouth. His satisfaction was clear on his face as he relished every bit.

He did not realise when one of his ear pods fell off and from it came the tune,

"Tumi kon kanoner phool? Kon gogoner tara?"

(Which garden's flower are you? You are the star of which galaxy?)