By : Siam Sarower Jamil
I met her last when I was in class eight. Studied together just for a year then I moved. We had no contact for nine years. Now I’m a graduate. Doing job & primarily settled in life. Today I met her and just have shocked. Child Mouri is now a woman who is struggling with her daily life. I was surprised to see her in this situation.
She was very restless when we were together. She can move over stairs handle. It was a strange & a interesting move like a fairy coming towards you very fast!
There’s a mango forest next to our class room & she could climbed at the top of the tree very easily. Throwing the mango to me she ordered me to put in her bag and I always followed her instruction.
One day Another classmate was beaten by her. After that headmaster asked to meet her parents. I rescued her from headmaster by telling lie that time.
Everyday during school time she ran through the full three storey building of school. I was acting all time like a perfect follower of her trail. Another day, Sohan, the most violent boy in our class. he was beaten by Mouri, in such a way, that The parents had to rushed to the police station at the end.
On that day, I had to testify to Head sir. I said, ‘Mouri can’t do anything like this, sir. She is silly but very good.’ She looked at me with astonishment. Because, he had beaten me with a crcket bat two days ago! Nine years later, I am seeing her calm, untidy; who is very much matured too!
The identity is a saleswoman in a tea stall. There, I was a buyer of a cup of hard liquor & she was seller. She runs a tea, drink, cigarette shop. In her family, there are three children, a crippled house husband and an oldie mother-in-law. The responsibility of whole family is on her neck.
After meeting, she just asked about me, where I am living, what I am dong. Just updated her. I didn’t know what she understand actually. Just shaking her head like saying yes!
We did not talk later and just gave a smile like a middle-class Bengali man. I thought once that I should ask her question, ‘How are you?’ But I’m not so brave man.
I asked to meet the bill, she did not take it. I did not force her second time. I thought, It would be unfair to not give her the opportunity
So, leaving the tea stall, I got up on the street. I saw the mirror image of her on many people in the streets. Touchiness moves on! Just said my mind. ‘Yes, I’m still alive. Perfectly. I won’t think of anyone!’
Siam Sarower Jamil is a Bangladesh journalist & he can be emailed at [email protected]
