The negative thoughts I had about Tiyas have crossed all boundaries. He's far more guilty than I thought!
In response to Nuzhat's words, I said,
___"Nuzhat, where did you hear all this? Why would Tiyas interfere between you and Saad? What does he gain from it?"
Nuzhat said in a serious tone,
___"I don't know! But Tiyas is behind everything. Saad hangs out with Tiyas. Won't he end up just like him?"
I paused and said,
___"Nuzhat, don't cry. I'll verify the truth, no matter what. Then I'll make sure Tiyas and Saad face the maximum punishment. Listen, don't just sit at home. Look for a job—there are countless opportunities for women. If nothing else, go to the garment industry, but become self-reliant. Do you understand me?"
Nuzhat said,
___"I have to do it. If not for myself, then for my child."
I put the phone down and took a deep breath.
Around 11 PM, I called Dipti. After exchanging pleasantries, I told her how I got her number. She was a bit surprised to hear that I knew Ryan. Before I could bring up Tiyas, she started apologizing, pleading,
___"You disappeared suddenly, and I left too. So, I couldn't apologize. Honestly, we've both been victims of the same person's deceit. I don't know how to apologize to you, but I feel it's necessary because Tiyas used my name to deceive you. He said he did it for me, but I had no idea about any of it."
I said slowly,
___"So, Tiyas betrayed you later?"
___"Yes, Lia. He deceives people flawlessly. First, he becomes so trustworthy that even family doesn't get that close. Then, when the time is right, he betrays them. When Tiyas's father got transferred to Chittagong, he joined our class. From then on, he became friends with me. He always saw me at the top of the class. But he's a good student too. Our friendship continued into college, but Tiyas was irregular in class, so no one noticed much. Besides, we didn't talk much—you know how hectic secondary exams were. But in the early days of college, I once talked to him about you. Back then, you were the center of attention in class. Then, your sudden change—you stopped coming to class, and you didn't even compete in exams. I was happy because I thought no one would challenge my top position. That year passed like that. I thought after the exams, Tiyas and I would confess our feelings. But he planned to do it before the mock exams. Oh yes, he did it right in front of you.
Then, he started doing everything to impress me. I fell deeply in love with him, but then I found out from a close friend that Tiyas had done something terrible to you, Lia. When I confronted him, he said he had fallen in love with you. He said your absence had shattered his entire existence."
I interrupted Dipti and said,
___"He told you that? Meanwhile, do you know what he did to Nuzhat? He brought Saad and Nuzhat together, and now he's tearing them apart. On one hand, he told me he loves you, and on the other, he told you he loves me. There's no way to describe him—he's completely characterless!"
___"I feel the same, Lia. Even after coming abroad, I've heard about his many misdeeds. He gets involved with brilliant people. Then, just before exams, he does something that ruins their chances of achieving the results they've worked for all year! I don't know what the mystery behind this is or why he does it!"
___"I don't know either. Anyway, let's talk another day. Take care, okay? Hearing about Nuzhat today has really upset me!"
___"Alright, you take care too, Lia."
I hung up the call. But my thoughts were still swirling. Why does he really do this?
His parents are so good. Why does he deceive people with such good intentions? He spends years getting close to someone, gains their trust, and then betrays them. Why?
If he's so interested in women, he could spend time with women who are like him! But why chase after good, decent girls?
If someone like me thinks too much about his actions, their mind will be ruined. Instead, I need to cleverly get the truth out of him directly!
A week later, I decided to go home for a couple of days. All these thoughts have messed up my days and nights. I wasn't serious about Tiyas despite everything that happened to me, but why did he do this to Nuzhat? Nuzhat can't just withdraw into herself now. She's a mother!
Meanwhile, I haven't seen Tiyas around, and I have no way to find out the truth.
I've already informed Mom that I'll be home tomorrow. Mom is thrilled and has already decided what she'll cook for me. Since I love fried Boyal fish with Binni rice, she always makes sure to cook it at least once whenever I visit. And Dad has asked all the fishermen in the village to inform him if they catch a Boyal fish!
Dad keeps calling to remind me to let him know as soon as I reach the station.
Just thinking about going home makes me feel lighthearted.
Evening has fallen, and after Maghrib prayers, I sat down wondering what to cook.
If I cook something new now, it'll go to waste because I'll be leaving on the morning train tomorrow. Besides, I don't even have eggs at home.
At first, I thought of borrowing from the auntie next door, but then I decided to go downstairs and buy some.
No sooner thought than done. I fixed my hair, draped my scarf neatly, and opened the door.
As soon as I opened the door, a piece of paper fell to the ground. I picked it up.
The handwriting was stunningly beautiful, and at first, I was just amazed by it. Then I started reading it carefully. It said…
""You'll open the door, tired and a bit ashamed, and pick up this note in surprise! Why you'll pick it up, how you'll pick it up, or what you'll think while picking it up, I don't know. But before you see what's written here, you'll adjust the scarf on your head again—it's a permanent image of graceful girls like you! Whether it's afternoon, evening, night, or morning, I can't say when this note will touch your hands, but I'll say this: whenever you find it, come to the northern side of the lake. I'll be waiting!""
I stared at the paper for a while. Then, for some reason, I smiled faintly. I locked the door and slowly walked toward the lake. It's not too far—I can see a corner of it from my balcony.
The thought of buying eggs was completely forgotten at this moment.
I walked slowly, feeling a strange vibration inside. It's that first feeling a girl experiences between the ages of sixteen and eighteen!
I kept adjusting my scarf. I don't know if it's because of the note, but I'm paying so much attention to my scarf!
I stood by the lake and looked east—nothing. West—nothing. Then north—nothing.
Just as I was about to look south, I was startled. A man in a black Panjabi was standing right next to me. He wore thin-framed glasses, and on his right hand (instead of the left), he had a black watch matching his Panjabi!
In his hand was an open diary with a poem written for me!
I was drawn into the words again. It said…
' I never noticed the diversity of warmth, but I burn to ashes daily in the fire of clarity!
Can you tell me what's inside you?
Without weaving poetry in the courtyard of spring, I sketch you in a thousand forms!
How can you pull me so close?
The vastness of the sky isn't as immense as the depth in your eyes,
Why do you keep such intensity there?
Even the seven colors of the rainbow don't dazzle as much as your smile!
Will you give me a little space in your world?""
I stared in amazement for a while. I didn't understand why my eyes were welling up. But I tried to hide it and smiled softly, saying,
___"Do you love me very much?"
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T/N: If you like it please vote with power stone please. More stones equals faster release.
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