Biography 229: The pond I liked most in grandparent's house (Maternal)

My grandparent's house was (because they are not here anymore, it's now our uncle and aunt's house) in Faridpur, Bangladesh. A long time ago, this city was included with Dhaka (the capital of Bangladesh). Later, it became a separate city.

I visited the place a couple of times in my childhood, almost every Eid. When we were growing up, my mom used to visit alone. I visited last when I was in grade 10.

In my grandparents' house, I liked to stay mostly beside the pond. There was a Lichi fruit tree beside the pond. One of its branches was bent so that people could sit on it like a chair under a big tree. Then I kept watching the water in the pond. Sometimes, ducks were swimming, and sometimes, any other creature that I couldn't recognize.

It was on the way to our grandparents' house. So, everybody who came in or out could see me and, if they wanted, talk to me. As it was under a big tree, it was always cool, and gentle breezes were always there.

Sometimes, women come and wash their clothes or utensils, and sometimes, people come to take a bath. One day, I remember someone going into the water with a giant bamboo. Adults were asking what he was thinking. He replied that he was trying to learn to swim. My older sister learned to swim over there. My youngest grandfather (my grandfather's youngest brother), Chhoto Nana, told me, I will teach you swimming. I was scared, I knew he was planning to throw me into the water, and there was no plan to rescue me. I said no and ran. I saved myself from learning to swim.

Sometimes, people try to catch fish inside the pond. In front of me, some succeed.

Still, I like to sit near a river, ocean or lake and watch the water.

Biography 187: My first tour to Cox's Bazaar (aunt's great activities)

 My aunt's nickname is "Khuki" (Which means a small cute kid). I met her when I was very young. I found her a beautiful lady with big eyes and an amazing smile. The best thing she has is her speaking quality. She can become friends with anyone. My uncle is the youngest son of my grandfather (Maternal), so I have seen my aunt very humble with all older people.

I have seen her another role after visiting her home in Cox's Bazaar. She made the house very simple and pleasant. She cooks delicious food for all. She manages her two kids, and later they have one daughter too. I have seen how she cared for everyone, including me. She monitored every person's choices and food habits and prepared food according to that information.

She bought fresh food ingredients for us. Every day she made different traditional kinds of food for us and at the end, she prepared traditional festival food (Like polao, korma, salad and more). She made "Pitha" (traditional Bangladeshi cake) for us too.

I was there for a week, and during this time, cold relations continued between my uncle and cousin. My cousin later showed his anger toward me too. My aunt always talked with everyone, including my cousin and his friend, to minimize the problem; things improved but never vanished.

Later when my aunt met with my mother, she said many good things about me to my mother, like how I behaved with all and helped my aunt with her work etc. I found this is an outstanding quality in her too.

In our country, traditionally, sisters don't like their brother's wife. My mom followed that tradition always. But I always felt my aunt is a great woman. I tried to learn a lot from her. Especially the way she handled the guest and later spoke about them to others.

ঘরের লক্ষী... (Luck of the house)

[English version has given below]

কোথাও শুনি, মেয়েরা হলো ঘরের লক্ষী, কোথাও বলে বউ হলো ঘরের লক্ষী। আমার মনে হয়, একটা মেয়ে ছাড়া যে কোন সংসার খুব খালি খালি লাগে। সব কিছু থাকার পরও কি যেন নেই। ঘরে যখন একটা মেয়ে আসে, পুরো সংসার কে সে গভীর মমতায় আগলে রাখে। একটা মেয়ে যখন বাপের বাড়িতে থাকে, সে তখন ঘরের লকেট হয়ে সবার মনের মধ্যমনি হয়ে থাকে। আর যখন একটা মেয়ে কারো ঘরে বউ হয়ে আসে, সে হয় ঘরের মুকুট। তার শোভা দেখতে সবাই আসে। সবাই তার কাছ থেকে কোন না কোন ভাবে ভালবাসা আশা করে। সব কিছুর মধ্যে সে এক অদ্ভুত আনন্দের আমেজ নিয়ে আসে। ঘর আলো করে। কোন কারনে সে কোথাও গেলে পুরো ঘর শুন্য হয়ে তার অপেক্ষা করে। মেয়ে তো ঘরের লক্ষী, তাকে ছাড়া কেমনে চলে?

[১৯ শে মার্চ, ২০০৭]

We often hear that people are saying girls are the Luck of the house. Somewhere you may also catch Daughter in laws is the Luck of the house. I think, without a girl a room doesn't feel full, you will always feel something is missing. But when a girl/woman came into that house, you will feel the light of house just increased. She keeps every single thing (including human) with love and care. When a girl stays at her father's house, she is the locket of the heart of every person. When she went to her in-laws house, she becomes the crown of that house. Everybody goes there to see her. Everybody expect some love and care from her. She brings all kind of happiness to that family. If for any reason she left the home, the house became empty. She is the luck of the house, how can the house live without her?

[March 19, 2007]