The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abu Bakar Siddiquee

Shahed, Laila's cousin has come to London on a visit. At present he is a prominent figure of the country, known as an intellect also. As an established high official he is passing a gorgeous life.

Laila has been residing in London for the last twelve years since her marriage. In every two to three years she visits her homeland to meet her parents. Her husband is in British Government Service. Laila is mother of a child. She looks after her son, does all house hold works and utilize her leisure period in sewing to earn extra money. They reside in an apartment bought three years back. In fact, Laila lives a happy family life; her husband loves her very much who is an honest hard worker. Their son Hillol, born in London, inherited the complexion of Laila, may be a little brighter, with dark hair and black pupils. To Laila it seems that Hillol's eyes resemble Shahed's eyes having a depth of infinity. Day by day her son's look is getting deep to deeper, whenever Laila looks at Hillol it brings back memory of Shahed.

Shahed has come to London without any information; he searched out Laila's house. Laila was surprised to see him all of a sudden. She still remembers how Shahed in his student life used to come to their house to make fun and hullabaloo. He was a very jolly and lively person. One remarkable thing was that Shahed never used to stay for long in their house. Laila tried her best to touch Shahed's mind; but whenever Shahed's eyes happened to meet Laila's his deep vision would move away quickly, he would start a light conversation. Laila could never make any impression upon him nor could efface his memory from her mind. There was a sort of attraction in Shahed's appearance, character, wit, and restlessness.

After about twelve years Shahed has met Laila. Stepping in, he announced that he doesn't have time; he can spend two hours at best.

Shahed is always in short of time, he didn't change a bit! Laila thought. She still remembers the days when Shahed used to come in her parents house. Like a storm he would enter the house, gossip with every family member and leave all of a sudden; never he used to stay more than two hours. One day Shahed fell from a guava tree and sprained his ankle, even on that day he didn't stay longer. He limped with pain, rode a rickshaw and disappeared. He never let them know the condition of his ankle joint, whether it was a simple sprain or compound fracture of the bone and remained out of touch for long two months.

After a few months of that incident he became a Central Superior Officer in administration cadre. He was posted to Lahore. And after a year he got married. About two years later he met Laila's parents. He was then a Sub Divisional Magistrate of some Tehsil in Sialkot. There was no change in his behaviour; he was as restless as before.

'How are you, Laila? Have you finished your college term or still continuing?' He asked Laila.

Over tea he discussed with her parents about her marriage. After that some people came to their house, observed Laila as is the custom of land; and the marriage was accomplished within a month. The bridegroom was a doctor. Though Shahed was the matchmaker he did not attend the marriage ceremony as he could not avail the leave.

All the events of Laila's marriage happened like a drama; the sequences after that roll out more dramatically. Not more than a month had passed after marriage, Laila's husband died in a launch capsizes while he was returning to his working place from village home after enjoying leave. Darkness covered Laila's life and looked as though it would last forever. It seemed to Laila that a black curtain has been drawn in front of her that is never going to be lifted.

Really, a black shadow fell in front of her but not last forever. The darkness spread momentarily to change the scenario only. A new man came in her life. She married him and left for London leaving behind her beloved homeland, parents and relatives. Slowly she changed with time; many memories are fading out of her mind now a days.

Shahed will leave now. But Mr. Momin, Laila's husband, has not yet returned from the office. Moreover, they have been invited to a tea in her neighbour's house. The doorbell rang; perhaps Mr. Momin has come. Laila opened the door, she found Mr. Haque, today's host of the tea party who has come to enquire about Mr. Momin and Laila's delay. Laila introduced Shahed to Mr. Haque. Mr. Haque became very pleased; politely made a request,

'If you don't mind, Mr. Shahed, may I take the opportunity to invite you to the tea party?' Though Mr. Haque is staying for a long time in London, still he feels a strong relationship for his own countryman. Before Shahed could reply Laila glanced wistfully at him, which Shahed could not deny. Mr. Haque said,

'Well, I think we can move now. May be that Mr. Momin will come soon and join us. Mr. Sobhan, my university teacher, has already come. I shall introduce him to you.'

Laila locked the house, along with Hillol and Shahed reached Mr. Haque's house. Mr. Haque introduced them to the chief guest Mr. Sobhan saying, 'she is my next-door neighbour and he is Mr. Shahed.' Professor Sobhan didn't let Mr. Haque complete his sentence; in a lecturing style he said, 'I'm really pleased to be introduced with an attractive couple like you.'

Shahed's face reddened, he tried to say something while shaking hand with Professor Sobhan, but he could not decide what to say. Laila also has stretched out her hand to Professor Sobhan. After shaking hand with Prof. Sobhan she sat by the side of Shahed; Hillol has gone to the next room to play with other children. Professor Sobhan has been speaking loudly to the guests about the veracity of well-matched couple and happy husband-wife. His gravel voice resumed,

'A well-matched couple or successful husband-wife is an essential element to build a balanced society. Being an ideal husband-wife, ideal friends, and ideal companions for each other in their child's eye they remain as ideal parents and in the society they represent an intellect personality. For instance, we can talk of Mr. and Mrs. Shahed; such a well-matched couple attracts attention of you, me, and of every one at the very first sight.'

Mrs. Haque wanted to intervene; perhaps she tried to rectify the wrong impression of Mr. Sobhan, but her fainter notes drowned by the high-pitched tone of Professor.

Laila is sitting brushing Shahed. 'Still Shahed uses expensive perfume! How pleasant smell is wafting out of his body!' Laila thought.

Professor Sobhan continued,

'An ideal and happy couple is the edifice of its generation. A child usually follows whatever he sees which is an impertinent factor to build up his or her character. Modern scientific experiment says that after birth the child should be reared up in a musical environment, the harmonious rhythm and beat helps mental blooming. Again, we can take the example of Mr. and Mrs. Shahed. Their decent dress, eloquent gesture, measured talk that has attracted our attention will definitely charm their child also; and I'm sure this exquisite beauty will be manifested in their child's character.'

Laila has sat more intimately touching Shahed; her secret desire of whole life happened to come true at this moment, may be in a wrong way. Today she has got the off-hand chance to take revenge of her many years suppressed wrath against Shahed, her dream-hero. Laila moved a little brushing Shahed; her soft shoulder is touching Shahed's body. Mr. Haque is serving tea; he is embarrassed at the situation. By now the Professor has stopped his florid lecture and left for the washing room.

The doorbell rang; Mr. Momin entered the room. Shahed felt relief. He came forward and shook hand with Mr. Momin. After the introduction Shahed said,

'I'm waiting for you quite a long. Now I have to beg your leave as I have an important appointment, meet you some other day.' Without waiting for a reply he stepped forward. When his eyes fell on Laila, she laughed freakily and said,

'Please do come again whenever you get time. You must see me before your departure for Dhaka.'

By then Shahed got out of the house, started walking on the street in quicker steps, he had had enough.