Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Biography 20: My younger sister born




 One day I noticed my older sister and other relatives were very excited about something. I didn't bother, even if I would bother, they won't tell me anyway. But this time, my sister came to me with some pictures. She told me this is your younger sister. I could see my mother is sitting on a chair (Very simple made of Iron. In those days people didn't use plastic chairs everywhere, they had these iron chairs for general use), wearing a red sharee (I like that sharee very much) and she was holding a baby looks like a potato. In another picture, the baby was in her bed, inside a mosquito net. Later my mom told us, the net was for flies. There were lots of flies over there. My mom also told us, in the desert area the weather is very dry. The baby's skin couldn't resist it, it was cracked and blood used to come out. So, my mom always kept her wet in Olive Oil. Among all siblings, this sister has a brighter skin colour. So, I always thought it was because of the olive oil. I wish my mom did that with me too :(


After having two girls, my dad really wanted a son this time. I heard from others that he told people, if he got a son this time, he will sacrifice a cow. Maybe Allah wanted to save a cow. So, not only this time but his next child (Child number 4) was also a daughter. Later, my 3rd sister became a doctor and 4th one became a dentist. Obviously, Allah wanted to give him more than what he wanted...

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Check it out first




 I was newly admitted to the University. I didn't know anyone, didn't have any idea how people study here, how they prepare for the exam, how the exam will be taken etc. Someone told me, I should check the previous year's questions, to get an impression of how the exam will be.


As I told you I didn't know anyone to ask for it. I remember on my first I sat beside a boy. He told me, he is staying in the hall. I thought he might have or can collect some questions papers from the senior students of our department from the hall.


I asked him about it and he said, he had already collected it. I requested him, can he share those question papers with me. I will make a copy of those papers and then will return them to him. He nodded his head, which means yes.


After 3/4 days he gave a roll of papers in a plastic bag. I said, "Thank you, I will return it tomorrow." I didn't open it, just kept it in my bag as it was. I took it home. In the afternoon I gave it to my dad to xerox those papers. The photocopy machine shop was very near to our house.


After a couple of hours, my dad knocked at my door. He brought some papers and that roll of papers. When he was giving it to me, I saw he was trying to stop laughing in front of me. I didn't ask him what happen but started thinking about what went wrong.


I opened my copy at the very first page was full of small (2/3 lines) poems. Romantic poems. I couldn't read much, it was written all over the question paper, everywhere it found any gap.


My head started spinning, this must be found by the photocopier. Then he must have shown it to my dad. Allah knows, to who else he had shown or making stories. What was my dad thinking about me! Within few weeks of my class, what I am doing? I couldn't think more. I became very mad, "হালার হালা, কি রকম বেইজ্জতি অবস্থার মধ্যে  ফেলসে আমারে!"


Life lesson, "If you get anything from anyone, check it out first! before passing it to someone else.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Biography 19: Our dad went to Saudi Arabia



 We were living at South Kamlapur on those days. My mom had got two opportunities to go abroad. One, to go to the USA for training. The second one is to go to Saudi Arabia to do a government job. After having a discussion with my dad, she decided to go to Saudi Arabia for a job. Because they needed money. I don't remember when my mom left us. Because I was surrounded by my aunts and uncles, neighbours etc. My life was with all of them. Mom has to go to work and stay late to earn money. So, she wasn't that close with me.


But I remember the day when my dad left. My cousin brother took me to the airport. On those days people can view airplanes and runways from a balcony of the airport. My brother held me and showed me a passenger line where my dad was walking towards the plane. I saw him, ok, he doesn't stay with me the whole day, he had a job. So, for me it's OK. He can go anywhere he wants, to do a job. My dad had also got a government job in Saudi Arabia. My brother saw my poker face, he thought I might not see that my dad is leaving. He asked my dad to come out from the line so that I can see him. Dad stood separately from the line and waved his hand to me. I was looking at him in the same way. My brother held my hand waved for him. Dad left.