Perhaps this was the biggest reason that made me even weaker for Tiyas!
Because the next day, something astonishing happened.
After spending the entire day feeling down, in the evening, Tiyas suddenly called Ruhi and asked us to come downstairs with Nuzhat.
Though we were a bit surprised, we went outside the gate with Nuzhat. As soon as we stepped out, we were shocked. Saad, along with his parents, and Tiyas were standing there. The moment Saad's mother saw Nuzhat, she hugged her tightly. Saad's father looked at Saad and said angrily,
"You wanted to stay away from such a beautiful girl? I can't believe you're my son. You made a mistake, yet you didn't have the courage to face it? You knew your parents would accept it, yet you didn't say anything? Why did you want to ruin another girl's life? If Tiyas hadn't told us everything, what would've happened to this girl? Now, let's go to her house to propose the marriage."
Nuzhat looked at Tiyas, tears streaming down her face, and said,
"Tiyas, I'll never forget what you've done for me."
Saad stepped forward and started apologizing to Nuzhat.
And just like that, my world became colorful again.
How could I have doubted Tiyas, a guy like him? I had even blocked him everywhere yesterday, thinking the worst.
Today was his birthday, and he had asked me to dress up. I had forgotten about that too. But there was still time! I quickly ran upstairs, changed into the saree, and did a quick touch-up. When I came back down, I saw my roommates heading back to the room. They started laughing when they saw me. I pointed outside and asked,
"Has Tiyas left?"
They looked back and said he might have left by now, but Saad's parents and Nuzhat were gone. Still, clutching the edge of my saree, I ran outside the gate. Out of breath, I sighed in relief. Tiyas was still there, standing by his bike. He smiled when he saw me and gestured for me to come and sit.
I only had an hour because I had to be back inside before evening. So, we went to a nearby café.
After sitting down, Tiyas looked at me for a while and then suddenly sat down. At first, I didn't understand why. Then I looked down and saw that the pleats of my saree had gotten tangled while sitting on the bike. Tiyas was fixing it. I loved how he cared for such small things. Then he held my hand, led me to a seat, and said,
"I was surprised when you chose such a light-colored saree instead of a bright one. But seeing how beautiful you look in it, I'm amazed again. And the fact that you got ready in just 15 minutes..."
Before he could finish, I said,
"Did that surprise you too?"
Tiyas laughed and said,
"Yes, you look really beautiful. Listen, here's an idea—why don't you wear a light-colored Banarasi saree at your wedding instead of the usual red or maroon?"
I blushed and laughed. Tiyas noticed but didn't say anything.
Soon, the food arrived. As I ate, I asked,
"Tiyas, where will you go after this? Which university will you join?"
Tiyas chewed and said,
"We'll see."
Curious, I said,
"We won't try anywhere else in the country. We'll stay in Chittagong. What do you think? If not a public university, we'll go for a private or national one. But we'll stay in Chittagong, okay?"
Tiyas looked at me strangely and said,
"Prili, don't think so far ahead. We'll see what happens. Besides, my dad's job tenure isn't long. After this, he might get transferred anywhere, even abroad."
I didn't understand the implications of his words at the time.
And I didn't ask what his father did for a living.
After chatting for a while, we hurried back. I reached the room before evening. Seeing me, everyone gathered around and asked,
"So, are you two officially in love now?"
I smiled shyly and said,
"I can't say anything."
Ruhi said,
"Does he say anything? Or do you just not understand?"
I shook my head. They sighed and moved away.
The year-finals passed. I barely managed to pass. I didn't even show my results to my father. I hadn't been home much, using studies as an excuse.
Meanwhile, everyone had accepted Nuzhat. Saad had also changed for the better. But Nuzhat mostly stayed at the hostel.
A few more months passed. Nuzhat was now at their house because her due date was approaching. Everything was fine, but my exam results were terrible. However, my love for Tiyas had only grown stronger. Because before every exam, something unusual would happen with Tiyas, making me think about him constantly.
I had waited all this time for him to say something. But he didn't. Now, at least, I needed to focus on my studies. If I didn't say something now, I might never get the chance. The pre-board exams were in 20 days. Everyone was worried about Nuzhat and whether she'd be able to take the exams.
Meanwhile, I discussed with my roommates and decided—I would propose to Tiyas myself!
I couldn't keep delaying this. It was time to make a decision.
That day, the sky was cloudy. From morning, the sky was filled with layers of clouds. A light drizzle fell. Everything was quiet, and even the roads were unusually empty. Tiyas had told me the day before to meet him at 3 PM at a restaurant.
I had been tutoring a third-grader for the past five months and saved up some money to buy Tiyas a ring. That tutoring job had been my first, and buying this ring was my first gift to anyone. I didn't know if it was appropriate for a girl to give a guy such a gift, but I had done it out of pure emotion. I thought I'd propose to him with it.
In the afternoon, I left with an umbrella. When I reached the restaurant, I saw a separate area decorated beautifully, with Tiyas standing in the middle. For a moment, I thought Tiyas might propose to me first. But since I had already decided, I would do it. Besides, it didn't matter who went first. With a smile, I walked up to him, held out the ring, and said,
"The day I first saw you, I felt something unfamiliar stirring inside me. I didn't understand it then, but after a few days, I realized—I love you. I've wanted to say this for so long but couldn't. I tried many times, but I failed every single time. Besides, I know you feel the same..."
Before I could finish, Tiyas pushed me aside and shouted,
"Dipti, you're here!"
I clenched the ring in my fist and turned around to see Dipti. She was currently the top student in our class, the teachers' favorite. The position that should've been mine. But after falling for Tiyas, my place in the world had completely changed. Tiyas hugged her lightly and said,
"How long have you been waiting?"
Dipti smiled softly and said,
"It took a while to get everyone here. Besides, the weather's a bit off today."
I looked back and saw many of our classmates there, all top students. Even on such a cold, cloudy day, I was sweating profusely. I couldn't understand what was happening, but I had a sinking feeling that I was being played.
In front of me, Tiyas knelt down and proposed to Dipti. It felt like my heart was being ripped out, bleeding internally. I had no strength left to stand.
The lid of a large cake was opened, revealing the words:
"Five Years Together."
Dipti couldn't stop smiling. She cut the cake. They fed each other, but I couldn't process anything. How could I not have known about their five-year relationship? I'd known Tiyas for over a year, yet he never mentioned it. I didn't understand everything, but I realized Tiyas had called me here to humiliate me.
When Dipti ran to the restroom to clean the cake smudges off her face, Tiyas pointed at me and said to everyone,
"Guys, something hilarious happened today. Prili proposed to me. She even had a ring, but I didn't notice it because you all showed up."
Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. One of them said,
"Wow, a backbencher from a low-income family dreaming about the handsome, rich, top student? My God!"
Tiyas put his arm around someone's shoulder and said,
"Don't say too much. Poor thing can't even top the class anymore. Now, with this heartbreak, she might end up with two big zeros in her exams. So, it's better to tell her the truth."
I could stand there and listen to Tiyas loving someone else, but at this moment, I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I wouldn't want to live after today. I wanted to scream, but I stood there silently, letting the internal death sink in.
Tiyas was saying,
"Do you know Dipti? She's the daughter of Dilip Khan, a big businessman in this city. She joined this college just for me. After the exams, we're moving to America together. You might not understand Dipti, but everyone knows she never comes second in anything—be it corruption, injustice, or even acting. But when she came to college, she was disheartened because of you. She thought her previous records would be broken by you. After all, you were declared the most brilliant in class. But how could I let that happen? Dipti is my life. We've known each other for five years! That's why, before every exam, I made sure to distract you with surprises. But believe me, it was all for Dipti."
I saw Dipti returning. I was about to leave when Tiyas softly said,
"It's up to you. Don't let heartbreak break you. Besides, I don't think my acting is needed anymore. You won't achieve anything in such a short time. Bye-bye!" (He made a mocking face.)
I wiped my face with my left hand and said,
"If I, Prilia Hasan, am made of flesh and blood, I'll prove it not in the pre-boards but in the board exams. I'll score the highest grade. But I'll never show my face to a betrayer like you again."
With that, I walked away. But I heard Dipti say behind me,
"Tiyas, why did Prilia say she wouldn't show her face to you?"
I didn't hear what came next. But today, I heard about my own downfall. I realized the extent of my mistakes and how far I'd fallen.
I don't know why I made that challenge. Surviving normally seems doubtful, and here I am, making such a bold claim.
Someone betrayed me today! Maybe I deserved it. After all, I betrayed my family too. Instead of studying with my father's hard-earned money, I was obsessed with a guy. Maybe this is the lesson I needed.