chapter( 1)

"Ruhi!!! Ruhi!!!" Miss Jennifer kept calling out without receiving any response. "Is the girl dead?" she muttered to herself, opening the front door loudly and calling out again, "Ruhi!!!"

Ruhi was sleeping, feeling very tired today. She had to clean the bathroom all by herself. In her dreams, she saw her mother. Ruhi's mother passed away shortly after her birth, and her father remarried and left. She grew up with her uncle and aunt. Her aunt never liked her, and her uncle could only show his affection secretly, which made Ruhi cry in hiding. Eventually, worn out by his wife's complaints, her uncle left Ruhi at the orphanage. Ruhi had clung to his feet, crying, but her uncle had no other option. He used to visit often, but even that had to be reduced due to his wife's disapproval. Miss Jennifer finally shook Ruhi awake. "What kind of queen are you, that you don't wake up even after all this calling?" she scolded.

Ruhi opened her eyes, looking at Miss Jennifer with her big brown eyes that glistened as if they would overflow with tears at any moment. She sat up and asked softly, "Is something wrong, Miss Jennifer?" Jennifer, catching her breath, replied, "Your uncle is here." Ruhi's face lit up with a smile. "Really???" "Yes, pack your things. He is taking you with him," Jennifer replied. Hearing she was leaving, Ruhi's smile vanished, replaced by a look of dread. "What's wrong? Hurry up and pack; he has been waiting for you for a long time," Jennifer said with irritation. "I don't want to go," Ruhi said in a trembling voice. "Tell your uncle, not me," Jennifer retorted with a mocking tone. Ruhi stood up without saying another word. "Where is my uncle?" she asked. "Waiting in my office. Go and see him," Jennifer replied. With her head down, Ruhi walked towards Miss Jennifer's office.

Seeing her uncle made Ruhi feel a wave of resentment and sadness. She struggled to hold back her tears. It had been almost six months since her uncle last visited. Standing by the door, she tried to stop herself from crying.

Afzal Hossain noticed her and said, "Hey, are you not going to talk to me? Are you upset with your uncle? It's understandable since it's been so long. How have you been?" Ruhi couldn't hold back her tears any longer and began to cry. "I don't want to talk to you," she said. Afzal Hossain stood up and hugged Ruhi. "Don't cry, dear. I'm here now. I won't be late again. Do you know why I was late this time?" Ruhi stepped back and asked, "Why?" "Your cousin's wedding has been arranged," he replied. "Sister's wedding?" Ruhi's eyes widened. "Yes, that's why I came to take you. Have you packed your things? Go on, pack quickly," her uncle said. Unable to refuse him, Ruhi headed to her room.

"Mom, where is Dad?" Avanti asked Anila Islam. "Why do you need your father? He doesn't even think about his own daughter; he's always worried about that wretched Ruhi," Anila Islam responded bitterly. "Mom, what's your problem with Ruhi? Why do you treat her this way?" Avanti replied. "You are just like your father, always taking that man's side. He married someone else and left us with his burden. You should understand my pain as my daughter," Anila retorted. "There's no use talking to you. I'm going," Avanti said, walking away from the kitchen. Anila Islam continued muttering to herself. Avanti didn't like any of this. She liked Ruhi very much. The girl was sweet and homely. Avanti saw no reason to dislike her. She tied her hair up, preparing to go out with Nuhash, her fiancé. Everyone had accepted their five-year relationship, and now it was about to culminate in marriage, filling Avanti's heart with joy. She grabbed her scarf and headed out of her room, but just as she opened the door, Ruhi hugged her. "How are you, sister?" Ruhi asked. "I'm good, Ruhi. How are you?" Avanti replied. "It's so good to see you," Ruhi said. "It's good to see you too. Come inside," Avanti said. "Where is Dad?" Ruhi asked. "He went somewhere," Avanti replied. "No problem," Ruhi said, entering the house. As soon as Anila Islam saw her, she rushed towards Ruhi. "What an ill-omened snake you are! Now your uncle and your sister will pamper you," she sneered. "Mom, what's your problem? She just arrived. Why shouldn't we pamper her? She is my sister too," Avanti snapped, holding Ruhi's hand. Ruhi's eyes filled with tears again. Avanti led her to her room, closed the door, and sat her on the bed. Avanti felt a surge of anger towards her mother. Seeing Ruhi cry made her heart ache. Sitting beside her, Avanti said, "Please don't cry, Ruhi. You know how mom is. Don't let it get to you." "It's okay, sister. Aunt is right. I'm a motherless girl, a bad omen. She didn't say anything wrong. It doesn't hurt anymore. I've gotten used to it," Ruhi replied. Avanti didn't know what else to say, feeling very downhearted.

Suddenly, Avanti's phone rang. It was Nuhash calling. She answered, "Hello, Nuhash! Where are you?" "Ruhi is here. Can we meet tomorrow? I can't today," Avanti explained. "Okay," Nuhash replied, disappointed. "Please don't be mad, dear. I'll bring you a lollipop tomorrow," Avanti teased, laughing. Ruhi laughed too, hearing her sister. "No need for a lollipop, just come," Nuhash said. "Where are you?" Avanti asked. "Just got into the car. If you're not coming, there's no point in staying," Nuhash replied. "Please don't be angry, Nuhash." "I'm not angry. Spend time with Ruhi. Soon, you'll be completely mine, and all your time will be mine," he said. "I understand," Avanti replied. "Alright, give Ruhi something to eat. She hasn't had anything for a while," Nuhash suggested. "Okay, bye," Avanti said, ending the call and placing the phone on the bed. Looking at Ruhi, she said, "Go freshen up." Ruhi nodded and headed towards her luggage, taking out a sky-blue salwar kameez and going to freshen up.

Avanti went to the kitchen to prepare food for Ruhi. Her mother was in her room, so Avanti carefully selected a piece of fish, some lentils, and sweet pumpkin fry, and took it to her room. Ruhi hadn't come out yet. Avanti sat on the bed, scrolling through her phone. As soon as Afzal Hossain entered, Anila started yelling. "What? You brought your sister's daughter back to dump her on me again? You won't give me any peace, will you? Why didn't she die with her mother?" Afzal Hossain felt exhausted. He couldn't tolerate his wife's words anymore, especially when she talked about his sister. A gentle man, Afzal Hossain disliked arguments. "Anila, why are you behaving like this? It's just a matter of a week until Avanti's wedding. I'll take her back after that." Without saying anything, Anila banged the door of the bathroom shut.

To be continued...