Marriage between cousins

 Marriage between cousins is permitted in Islam, but it's not compulsory. 

My mother came from a medical background. Even before she finished her education, she didn't like the idea of marrying cousins. Although we were young when she shared her thoughts, they also influenced our perspective. 

We see cousins as if they are our own brothers and sisters. We are never hesitant to talk to them or to stay in contact. On their part, they felt the same way. 

If any relative ever mentions this type of marriage to my mom, she immediately dismisses the idea, which never even comes up for us to consider. 

I understand that in some families or countries, this has become a required practice. They believe their girls should stay within the family. It is a terrible custom; in the name of religion, we shouldn't support such marriages. If anyone falls in love with someone, then that is a different situation.

Biography 196: My cousin got the name "Lichu"

 All our buses in the University of Dhaka used to (Or maybe nowadays too, I don't know) start from the Register Building. So, to have a seat I uses to go the Register Building from my department at the Science Annex Building. It's quite a distance, so sometimes I had taken a rickshaw or most of the time went there by walking.

It was difficult in the hot and humid Summer. I remember one day in Summer, I walked to the registered building. We had some extra time to wait for the bus to start. I was feeling very thirsty. So, I went to the canteen. In this canteen most of the time bus drivers or Register building office employees come and eat. I ordered a cold "Miranda". But then I was feeling a little uncomfortable drinking it alone in front of all adult males (Mostly male bus drivers). Then I found a group of students, among them there were some girls, who already taken something and leaving that place. I asked one girl (Later, I learned her name was Zeba), would you please stay for a few minutes. Let me finish the bottle of Miranda. On those days, we had to return the glass bottle of soft drinks. The girl understood my situation. She stopped and made 2/3 of the girls from her group wait a bit. So that I can finish the Miranda.

While drinking, we started a little chat, I got to know, they were also in the first year. Their department was Bangla. Where my cousin was admitted too. I asked about my cousin Litu, bro. They said that the professor was taking attendance in one class and called his name "Lichu"(Lychee in English), a fruit name. Everybody laughed at him. Though the professor corrected himself, the students started calling him Lichu.

Aha, I have some news to embarrass my cousin. How can I let it go? So, I asked his friend not to tell him how I got the information.

Later at home, at dinner time, I asked my cousin, hello, Lichu bro, how was your class today. He was surprised; how did you know? I didn't tell him about my source. I know I will meet with that lady later, too. Then I will be able to get more information.

After a couple of months, one day, Litu bro came to us (all the sisters were chilling) and said, you couldn't drink the soft drinks alone, so ask someone to wait for you.

I was surprised at what he was talking about, and later learned that his friend revealed the story source to him. Next day I met that friend in the campus while waiting for the bus. I asked her, why did you tell him. She said she couldn't realize that I didn't reveal anything to him even after a couple of months.

Biography 186: My first tour to Cox's Bazaar (childhood activities of my cousins)

Here Shafeen brought some snow inside the house.

 I have seen some childhood activities of my cousins in that house. They are living in South Africa now. Got married and settled down.

When I went to their house, both cousins were in elementary school. They were doing excellent results in school on those days. All credit goes to my aunt. I have seen how patiently she used to sit with them and help them to study.

Tonoy is the older son. He used to give me company all of the time. He said he can sing well. I showed him dance in a contract that he would sing a song for me. But after my dance, he decided not to sing.

His younger brother is Tonmoy. Most of the time, he runs away from me whenever I try to talk with him. But always followed me from a distance. Just keep smiling at me. My aunt's first duty is to check his pockets when he falls asleep. He kept his whole world in his pockets, like toys, marbles, fruits like oranges, wires, etc. My aunt showed me that he broke the cupboard net to take out malta (fruit). He used to play outside and come home with a whole body of dust. My aunt first took him to the shower and let him go to the bedroom.