True facts of life
I am a widow
woman now 60 years old. I was a school teacher.
I have an
only son who is now 36 years old. Her name is Ashiq Adnan Deep and she lives in
Australia. I was 40 when my husband died. And my son Ashiq Adnan Deep whom I
call Deep was 16 years old.
I raised my
son alone. I suffered myself, I never let my son understand the lack of
anything. Always wanted to meet all his needs. Never think - if my father had
this need would have been fulfilled. I don't get it because I don't have a
father. I have taught my son in the best schools, colleges and universities in
the country. Then the son got the chance of higher education and went to
Australia. I have handled all the expenses alone. I didn't pay attention to
myself at all. Always wanted to see my child's success! Brightening his future
was the goal of my life. Everyone calls me a successful mother. I also have a
kind of suppressed pride about this.
Last week I
met an old friend of mine, her name is Lippi. His son studied in the same
school as my son Deep. However, Deep did not have a very good friendship with
his son. Maybe because of me or my son Deep.
I always wanted Deep to mix with only good
students who always compete with their studies. By doing that, he will have
more competitive attitude towards studies.
Lippi always used to say - look how good
friends we are. And our sons also studied in the same school, even after that
they did not become friends.
Lippi's son
Arif used to pass in every class. However, school sports always participated in
other activities. He used to write in the school wall magazine, draw pictures,
Lipi was happy with these.
About Lipi,
- My son does not fail anymore! It is enough to pass. Not everyone's son will
be fast. My son is not so good in studies but his other works are so beautiful!
Lipi's words
seemed unbearable to me. It seemed that the boy had dung on his head. More dung
than that on the mother's head. If not, the boy who is so behind in studies. No
mother lets him waste time with extra school activities!
Deep went to
college and got admission in Notre Dame college and Arif got admission in a
very ordinary college. After that there was no contact with them.
I met them
at the shopping mall last week. I have not seen them either. Lipi's son Arif
saw me and came to me and said
- Aunty
recognized me? I am Arif.
I didn't
really know Arif. Arif was about to leave school and go to college when I last
saw him. The boy is still in his face. And now a gentleman. After that Arif
took me to Lipi. Lipi was sitting in a shop. His son came shopping with Lippi.
Also, his son likes to buy all the colorful three-backs for Lippi.
Lippi and I always wear sarees, so I was a
little surprised. Lipi asked me again and again.
- You tell
me which one will suit me?
- Then Arif
suddenly said aunty will buy whatever you like. After that I like a
three-piece, Arif buys two of the same three-piece and I notice it.
Lippi and I were talking while shopping.
Then they do
some more shopping. Looking at their purchases, it looked like they were going somewhere.
I was noticing Arif and how easy and natural
he talked to Lipi. It seems that Arif went shopping with his daughter and not
his mother. After that he took us to a restaurant. Arif ordered some food and
finally Arif said -
Amma will
have coffee or some ice cream.
Lippi said
first I will have coffee and then I will go home to eat some ice cream.
I said - I'm
just coffee.
Lipi
immediately said - then stop eating ice cream.
I heard that
they are going to visit Cox's Bazar from there to St. Martin. Who will take
Lipi with him. Although it is Arif's official tour. Arif is in a buying house.
I understood that there is good responsibility. How many times he checked the
mail while sitting with us. And received some official calls. That means he
brought mom shopping despite being busy. It is already known about Arif's wife
that Arif's wife is in a multinational company. One of their children is now at
her grandmother's house. After shopping, Arif will pick up his daughter from
his in-laws house.
I came to
buy a bed sheet and some things for me. I didn't buy anything that day. I don't
want to buy anything anymore. I was just looking at Arif. How is Arif taking
care of his mother so much? He himself put sandals on his mother's feet in the
sandal shop. Lippi will not buy sandals at such a price. Arif then said, why do
you look at the price? Will you find comfort?
Arif cares
for his mother. Finally bought sunglasses for mother. Lipi won't buy
sunglasses. Then Arif said,
- Mom should
buy sunglasses because when you walk by the sea you will get sun in your eyes.
Why do I
feel like seeing their mother and son? I am looking at Arif, I am looking at
Lippi. And what inferiority is entering into me. Time and time again I feel
like I have lost to life. I am a failed mother. Who made his son the most
successful and big, so big that I will never reach that boy again!
Arif asked
about Deep a few times. Asked for Deep's contact number, I didn't give it. I
said it is at home, written in the note book. And Deep calls me all the time. I
don't give so I don't remember. In fact, if you give her number to someone
without taking Deep's permission, she will be angry. tell me
- Mom I am very busy, will not call when. This
disturbs me. Why can't you adjust the time between Australia and Bangladesh
yet?
Arif handed
me a shopping bag while dropping me at our house and said this is for you. I
see that Arif bought a three-piece for me just like Meena. Aunty this is for
you. You two girlfriends will go out together wearing similar clothes.
I had tears
in my eyes then.
Arif also
said, aunty, I have saved my mobile number, call me whenever you want, I will
come and take you home. I then said -
You too stay
busy. Then Arif said,
- Aunty I am
always free for you.
Then he
added,
-Aunty, you live alone, you don't even go to
Cox's Bazar with us. Amma will have a companion. Mom will like it more.
How long
have I been saying in my mind - Lipi, take me to Cox's Bazar with you? I will
not see the sea. I will only see how much a son cares for his mother.
I said to
Arif,
- Arif, you
are right. How long has it been since I met Lipi? I would also like to go with
you. But I have to tell Deep. I will talk to Deep today and let you know.
Lipi seems
surprised by my words. Lippi could not have imagined that I would agree to go
with them so easily. Script. He held my hand and said,
- Shahi
please come, I would love it.
After that
they left. I walked into my lightless room and found it even darker today. I
started thinking about what happened with Deep last night.
Deep's
marriage was done by Deep alone in Australia, he chose a girl and since the
girls have been in Australia for many years. So there is no question of getting
married in Bangladesh. I blessed them over the phone. He did not come to the
country after that. At that time, Deep's wife's education is not finished.
Deep's son is now a small boy, so the weather of Bangladesh will not tolerate
the child, so he cannot come. This year I have to prepare all the papers to go
to Australia. He called yesterday and said, this time on vacation, Deep's
father-in-law and mother-in-law will go to America with all of them. Deep
called me and said mom we all will try to come home next year don't get upset.
No I'm not
upset. Seeing Arif today, I realized that only good students and boys who are
fast all the time are not the best children. I only gave my son the best in
raising a child. And I taught him to be fast in the exam book and in the job
market.
I never
taught him to be the best person. I never taught him to help your friends. I
taught only competition.
I taught him
what would be good for him. But I could not learn to think about everyone.
I have
always bought Deep good things. I fulfilled his needs. But I never showed him
that I had or could have any need.
I will not
call Deep about going to Cox's Bazar. This is to tell Arif. It was good to meet
the scribes today. From now on I will think about my likes and dislikes. My
thoughts about my son are over.
I have done
everything for my son. The son has nothing to get from me.
Since my son
will take me to visit Australia with him, I have saved enough money little by
little from my travel allowance since last two years. How much will I buy for
them?
From now on
I will fulfill the small wishes of my life. I will live for a few more days. I
would like to see the Himalayas and see the pyramids of Egypt! Can they be seen
alone? Instead of that, let's visit Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin with Lippi and
then think about myself.
The story is
based on true events.
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