Mumbai's New Beginning

Rivanah Bannerjee, a recent engineering graduate from Kolkata, moves to Mumbai for her first job, leaving behind her protective parents and a long-term boyfriend, Ekansh. The city is overwhelming, but she's determined to carve out her own identity. Her arrival is marked by small but unsettling incidents—a mysterious blue kurti appears in her cab, and she receives cryptic messages from an unknown number. As she settles into her cousin Meghna's home, Rivanah is both excited and anxious, eager for independence but haunted by a sense of being watched.

The Blue Kurti Mystery

The blue kurti, which her mother claimed was lost, appears in her cab with a note addressed to her childhood nickname, "Mini." This unnerves Rivanah, especially when her mother denies sending it. The incident is dismissed as a coincidence, but it plants the first seeds of paranoia. Soon, more strange messages arrive, each more personal and intrusive, hinting that someone knows intimate details about her life. Rivanah tries to focus on her new job and relationship, but the sense of being stalked grows.

Messages From the Shadows

Rivanah's phone is bombarded with anonymous, threatening messages. The sender, calling themselves "the stranger," seems to know her every move, her fears, and her secrets. The messages escalate from cryptic warnings to direct threats, demanding she learn to cook specific dishes or face consequences. The stranger's knowledge of her life is chillingly precise, and Rivanah's attempts to ignore or outsmart the stalker only draw her deeper into the web. The line between coincidence and conspiracy blurs, and her sense of safety erodes.

Love, Distance, and Deceit

Rivanah's relationship with Ekansh, her college sweetheart, is strained by distance and the pressures of her new life. Their rare meetings are passionate but tinged with insecurity. As she tries to build a life in Mumbai, she leans on Ekansh for emotional support, but cracks begin to show. The stranger's interference intensifies, and Rivanah's trust in those around her is tested. When she discovers Ekansh's infidelity—caught red-handed with another woman, thanks to the stranger's intervention—her world shatters. The fairy-tale romance is exposed as a lie.

The Stranger's First Threat

The stranger's threats move from digital to physical. Rivanah is attacked in her own home—blindfolded, tied up, and stripped by an unseen assailant who leaves her unharmed but deeply traumatized. The experience is both terrifying and confusing, as the stranger seems to want to teach her a lesson rather than harm her. The incident leaves her questioning her own reality, her relationships, and her ability to trust anyone. The stranger's power over her is now absolute.

Roommates and Revelations

Rivanah moves into a flat with two roommates: the wild, free-spirited Ishita and the secretive Asha. The trio's dynamic is complex—while Ishita becomes a confidante and source of strength, Asha remains an enigma. The stranger's presence persists, with hidden microphones disguised as cockroaches found in their flat. Rivanah's paranoia grows, but so does her resolve. She begins to fight back, seeking help from friends and the police, but the stranger always seems one step ahead.

The Stalker Escalates

The stranger's games become more elaborate and cruel. Rivanah is blackmailed by Prateek, a former school acquaintance and now HR colleague, who records a compromising video of her and threatens to release it unless she submits to his demands. The stranger intervenes, orchestrating Prateek's humiliation and giving Rivanah leverage to escape the blackmail. Yet, the stranger's help comes at a price—he demands she become a witness in a gangrape case she inadvertently witnessed, forcing her to confront her own courage and morality.

Heartbreak and Healing

The aftermath of Ekansh's betrayal and Prateek's blackmail leaves Rivanah emotionally battered. With Ishita's support, she begins to rebuild her sense of self, channeling her pain into personal growth. She learns to cook, stands up for herself at work, and starts teaching underprivileged children as part of the stranger's "share your good luck" project. These acts of kindness and self-assertion help her reclaim agency over her life, even as the stranger's shadow looms.

Prateek's Obsession Unleashed

Prateek's obsession with Rivanah spirals into harassment and public humiliation. He spreads rumors at work, sends her unwanted gifts, and tries to manipulate her emotionally. With the stranger's guidance, Rivanah turns the tables, exposing Prateek's vulnerabilities and ending his campaign of harassment. The episode cements her transformation from passive victim to active fighter, but also deepens her entanglement with the stranger, whose motives remain ambiguous.

The Stranger's Demands

The stranger's next demand is not for Rivanah's humiliation or fear, but for her to do good: to teach slum children to write their names in English. Initially resentful, she soon finds fulfillment in the task, discovering a sense of purpose and connection she never expected. The stranger's influence becomes paradoxical—he is both tormentor and benefactor, pushing her to grow through adversity. Yet, the threat of exposure and the mystery of his identity keep her on edge.

Courage in the Darkness

Rivanah's journey is punctuated by acts of bravery—testifying in court as a witness to the gangrape, standing up to workplace harassment, and confronting her own trauma. Each challenge is orchestrated or manipulated by the stranger, who seems intent on forcing her to "know her worth." The police become involved, but the stranger's cunning and technological prowess keep him elusive. Rivanah's nightmares intensify, haunted by visions of herself hanging from a ceiling fan—a symbol of her deepest fears.

A New Love Blooms

Amidst the chaos, Rivanah finds solace and love in Danny, her charismatic neighbor. Their relationship is passionate and healing, offering her a chance at happiness after heartbreak. Yet, the stranger's interference continues—gifts, messages, and manipulations designed to test her loyalty and resolve. The tension between her desire for normalcy and the ever-present threat of the stranger creates a constant undercurrent of anxiety.

The Stranger's Games Continue

Rivanah's parents visit, bringing with them the weight of tradition and expectations. They disapprove of Danny, preferring a "suitable" Bengali match. The stranger exploits these tensions, orchestrating situations that force Rivanah to confront her values and assert her independence. The struggle between personal happiness and familial duty becomes a central theme, as Rivanah fights to define her own identity.

Family, Culture, and Conflict

Back in Kolkata for a cousin's wedding, Rivanah is introduced to Abhiraj, a prospective suitor. The encounter is both comic and poignant, highlighting the generational and cultural divides that shape her life. Abhiraj's later appearance in Mumbai, and his own attempts to woo her, add another layer of complexity to the web of relationships and suspicions surrounding the stranger's identity.

The Trap and the Wrong Man

With the police's help, Rivanah sets a trap for the stranger, using social media to lure him into the open. The plan succeeds—seemingly. Abhiraj is caught and accused, but it quickly becomes clear he is not the real stalker. The true stranger remains at large, having manipulated events to frame Abhiraj and mislead both Rivanah and the authorities. The sense of danger intensifies, as the stranger's reach and cunning are revealed to be even greater than imagined.

The Real Stranger Revealed

The investigation leads to the discovery that the stranger had been living in the flat above Rivanah's, eavesdropping on her life. A series of clues—embroidered messages, a doorbell that plays a girl's laughter, and references to her childhood nickname—point to a connection from her past. Rivanah's mother helps her uncover a slam book entry from college, written by Hiya Chowdhury, a friend who had committed suicide. The details in Hiya's entry—her hobbies, ambitions, and favorite dishes—mirror the stranger's demands and the events of the past year.

The Past Returns

The realization that the stranger's actions are linked to Hiya's death—and perhaps to Rivanah's own forgotten or repressed actions—leaves her shaken. The book ends on a cliffhanger, with Rivanah determined to return to Kolkata to uncover the truth about Hiya, the stranger, and her own role in the unfolding drama. The line between victim and perpetrator, past and present, is blurred, setting the stage for the next installment in the trilogy.

Characters

Rivanah Bannerjee

Rivanah is a young woman thrust into the chaos of Mumbai, seeking independence but quickly ensnared in a psychological game of cat and mouse. Her journey is one of transformation—from naïve and trusting to wary and self-reliant. She is deeply affected by love, betrayal, and trauma, but each setback becomes a catalyst for growth. Her relationships—with family, friends, lovers, and the stranger—reveal her vulnerabilities and strengths. Rivanah's psychological arc is defined by her struggle to "know her worth," as she confronts her fears, asserts her agency, and seeks meaning in adversity.

The Stranger

The stranger is both tormentor and teacher, orchestrating events in Rivanah's life with chilling precision. His motives are complex—part obsession, part moral crusade, part personal vendetta. He uses technology, psychological manipulation, and intimate knowledge of Rivanah's past to control and "educate" her. The stranger's identity remains hidden, but clues suggest a connection to Hiya Chowdhury and a desire to force Rivanah to confront her own guilt and potential complicity. He embodies the dangers of anonymity and the power of secrets.

Ekansh Tripathi

Ekansh is Rivanah's college sweetheart, whose apparent devotion masks infidelity and emotional cowardice. His betrayal is the first major trauma Rivanah faces in Mumbai, shattering her illusions about love and trust. Ekansh's actions force Rivanah to reevaluate her self-worth and set her on a path of self-discovery. He represents the dangers of idealizing relationships and the pain of disillusionment.

Danny Abraham

Danny is Rivanah's neighbor and eventual lover, offering her a chance at happiness after heartbreak. He is supportive, passionate, and seemingly genuine, but his relationship with Rivanah is constantly tested by the stranger's interference and the scars of her past. Danny's own struggles—with career, family, and commitment—mirror Rivanah's, making their bond both comforting and precarious.

Ishita Rana

Ishita is Rivanah's roommate and confidante, embodying a carefree, nonconformist approach to life. She encourages Rivanah to break free from societal expectations and embrace her own desires. Ishita's own history of heartbreak and resilience provides a counterpoint to Rivanah's journey, and her loyalty is instrumental in helping Rivanah survive the stranger's games.

Prateek Basotia

Prateek is a former school acquaintance turned HR colleague, whose unrequited love for Rivanah devolves into harassment and blackmail. His actions serve as a warning about the dangers of obsession and entitlement, and his eventual downfall is orchestrated by both Rivanah and the stranger. Prateek's arc highlights the complexities of victimhood and agency.

Meghna

Meghna provides Rivanah with a home in Mumbai but is herself trapped in a loveless, volatile marriage. Her struggles serve as a backdrop to Rivanah's own romantic dilemmas, illustrating the challenges of love, choice, and societal expectations.

Asha Pradhan

Asha is the least understood of Rivanah's roommates, maintaining a distance and shrouding herself in secrecy. Her presence adds an element of unpredictability and suspicion, contributing to the atmosphere of paranoia and mistrust.

Inspector Mohan Kamble

Kamble is the police officer who becomes involved in Rivanah's case. He is both a source of support and a symbol of the limitations of institutional protection. His own anxieties about his daughter's safety mirror Rivanah's parents' concerns, adding depth to his character.

Hiya Chowdhury

Hiya is a former friend of Rivanah's, whose suicide and slam book entry become central to the unfolding mystery. Her interests, ambitions, and fate are eerily mirrored in the stranger's actions, suggesting a deep and unresolved connection to Rivanah's own past and guilt.

Plot Devices

Psychological Stalking and Manipulation

The stranger's use of technology, personal knowledge, and psychological games creates a pervasive sense of fear and uncertainty. The plot is driven by his escalating demands, threats, and interventions, forcing Rivanah to confront her own weaknesses and make difficult choices. The stalker's anonymity and ability to anticipate Rivanah's actions keep both her and the reader in a state of suspense.

Red Herrings and Misdirection

The narrative employs multiple red herrings—Prateek, Abhiraj, even Danny—to keep the reader guessing about the stranger's identity. Each suspect is given plausible motives and opportunities, but the true culprit remains hidden until the final twist. This device heightens the tension and mirrors Rivanah's own confusion and paranoia.

The Slam Book and Embroidered Clues

The slam book entry by Hiya Chowdhury, with its list of favorite dishes, hobbies, and ambitions, becomes a central plot device. The stranger's demands and clues are directly lifted from this entry, suggesting a connection between past and present, guilt and retribution. Embroidered messages on cloth serve as tangible, haunting reminders of the unresolved past.

Symbolic Nightmares and Foreshadowing

Rivanah's nightmares—especially the vision of herself hanging from a ceiling fan—foreshadow the revelation of Hiya's suicide and the possibility of Rivanah's own complicity. These dreams blur the line between reality and imagination, reinforcing the novel's themes of guilt, memory, and self-discovery.

Social Commentary and Moral Testing

The stranger's manipulation is not solely for sadistic pleasure; he forces Rivanah to confront moral choices—testifying in a rape case, teaching underprivileged children, standing up to harassment. These plot devices serve as both obstacles and opportunities for growth, challenging Rivanah to "know her worth" and become the person she is meant to be.

Analysis

"Marry Me, Stranger" is more than a stalker story—it's a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of urban alienation, digital vulnerability, and the search for identity. Novoneel Chakraborty uses the device of an omniscient, manipulative stranger to externalize the internal struggles of a young woman navigating love, betrayal, and societal expectations. The novel interrogates the nature of trust, the dangers of anonymity, and the ways in which trauma can be both destructive and transformative. Through Rivanah's journey, the book explores the necessity of confronting one's past, the importance of agency in the face of victimization, and the possibility of growth through adversity. The unresolved mystery of the stranger's identity and motives—tied to the tragic fate of Hiya Chowdhury—serves as a powerful metaphor for the unfinished business of guilt, memory, and self-forgiveness. Ultimately, the novel challenges readers to consider what it means to "know your worth" in a world where the boundaries between friend and foe, love and obsession, are dangerously blurred.

Last updated: May 6, 2025