Not interested in
Facebook friendship with strangers. Sorry.
Yes, of course.
Hmm.
But if you could give me
assurance, I’d like to say something.
Go ahead and say it.
Thank you. Everyone
isn’t acquainted beforehand, right! Alright,
let me just follow you and put ‘see
first’ on!
Just get acquainted first!
As you wish.
But you did give me assurance! Please don’t be so stern now.
What assurance did I give?
To say something.
Go ahead.
I already did! Oh well,
let’s leave all that!
I answered you!
I liked that you
told me clearly.
Yes.
I enjoy your writing. I read your posts every day. I check your profile at least once daily.
Have you had lunch?
Yes. Have you
eaten?
No. Haven’t found
time yet. Will eat.
Oh my! The day is
getting away from you!
Yes. Have some
file work to do. After that.
Yes, alright.
What do you do?
Where do you live?
I’m studying.
Tejgaon College, honors final
year, and I live in Agargaon Taltola.
I see.
Yes. What are you doing?
Right now I’m
talking with you.
I saw one of your photos!
Oh my goodness, what a heartwarming smile! Oh my, how beautiful! Sir, you’re talking with me!
Oh!
Yes. Is this a
half-moon?
Full.
My offense?
Just because.
I’ll fight. Won’t
accept defeat! I’m not that magnanimous.
Give me your number,
let me call you.
*********** I’m waiting
to hear your reaction.
When should I call?
When the fight is over.
Meaning?
You said you’d
call me!
Huh!
Yes.
Do you live with
family?
No! I live in
a hostel.
I see. Wow!
Independent life! Send me a selfie of yours, let me see you.
I have no one but my mother, so I don’t understand this much freedom.
Sorry, I didn’t know.
Sorry? Why? Here, take a look.
Is this your selfie?
I’d say it’s me, but you’d say Diana Khan the witch!
Who’s Diana?
That actress who plays the witch!
Don’t know her.
Have you eaten?
If you don’t want to share a selfie, just say so. Coward!
Won’t eat. Hehehe… don’t feel like it.
Well, you’re probably conservative.
At the wrong time, this is bound to happen!
I’m leaving, okay? Bye bye.
Don’t make yourself sick by not eating! You’re leaving!! Alright. Bye bye.
Hmph.
Tell me, have you ever touched dewdrops?
So many times!
When the sun in the sky was looking at you with a smiling face, did you ever meet its gaze in that light?
I’m getting scared!
Why?
Here, read this.
Hmmmm!
Tell me, have you ever smelled durba grass?
Yes.
That scent seems so sweet to me. What’s it like for you?
Like the fragrance of a lover’s hair, or the nape of her neck.
Have you ever held your lover firmly and straightened her crooked hair pin, setting it in its proper place?
Many times! While helping her with her saree.
She must be your better half!
Yes, someone else’s.
Lovers always belong to someone else…
So what! When the heart calls, one can still come close!
When the heart gets entangled in a tug-of-war, then what?
You’d fall into fewer if you avoided lies. My lover was engaged to someone else.
Then she was lost!
Why am I telling you all this? Will you show this to anyone?
No, never mind, you don’t have to say. This was just coming up in conversation.
I’m afraid. Women’s self-respect is declining. They do inbox marketing and end up with cars and houses!
I can see that. Yes, such things happen all the time.
Like bathing with the bathroom door open.
Exactly! And I’m not even your acquaintance, so it’s natural to say or think such things. You still haven’t eaten, have something light.
I had an egg omelet.
You shouldn’t stay on a completely empty stomach. How is everyone at home?
They’re fine. I was asking for a selfie from you. You didn’t give me one.
Alright, I’m giving you one. And my ID isn’t fake.
This one’s from before.
Yes, from a few days ago.
Take one now.
Now!!!
Yes………….you silly girl! Is this a selfie?
How can this be a selfie? I can’t take a better selfie than this!
Alright. Looks nice.
Thank you! I won’t call you handsome. Everyone says that! Let me say something different instead. You look serene.
Send me more. I’ll look.
I fired them off. What should I send?
Selfies……………where are they?
Sorry, I wasn’t on the net.
I sent them.
Good.
The net’s slow, that’s why it’s taking time. Would you like some tea?
Crushed! You didn’t pick up now?
Ma made tea, let me have some first. I’m coming. If you come over, we can have tea and chat.
You keep making me wait all the time.
I won’t come, stay there waiting! You know, I can make good tea. I can make good coffee too.
Treat me to some one day.
Okay. Wow……I just invited you for tea! Won’t I have a say in whether you refuse?
Once we meet, everything will happen.
What are you doing now?
I was writing and waiting for you.
You don’t need to wait. It’s quite painful. I’ll come anyway.
Is your home in Chittagong?
Yes.
I had love there. Tell me, don’t people from Chittagong make family connections with people from outside Chittagong when it comes to marriage?
What do you mean?
I mean, say, when it comes to marriage, they don’t make alliances with anyone outside Chittagong, is that how it is?
They do!
My friend had told me that.
Oh!
Have you been in love?
I have loved.
How many times?
Well. The first one married a beautiful girl after nine years of love. As for the second one, I’m indifferent. I haven’t said I love her, haven’t said I don’t. So she’s carrying on in her own way, loving or not loving, whatever!
I see.
There was premature wisdom.
Has no one ever
helped you put on a sari?
No! But once he held my hand, looked into my eyes and said, looking at you, it’s impossible to sin!
Wow, you found yourself quite the impotent lover there!………….A Sunil poem just came to mind. Written about some Nira.
Yes, he really was good. It was just my luck that wasn’t.
What poem? Let me hear!
Good?
Or helpless?
Helpless!
I have a really awful
experience about this. I’ll tell you sometime when we talk.
Okay.
Barely escaped
a beating!
Hehehe……..thank goodness!
Otherwise who would I be talking to today?
I arranged the marriage of an extremely handsome, extremely qualified friend to a beautiful girl.
And then?
This friend of mine
was 6’2″, great figure,
looked like Ranbir Kapoor.
Studied at BUET, electrical,
then IBA.
And then.
But…………………
?
He couldn’t have
sex.
Yikes!
Within two months of marriage
they got divorced.
He told you
this?
Are you a kid?
Is this something that needs to be hidden or
can’t be talked about?
No, I’m a grown woman! Hehe……..no way! I didn’t
say that.
The girl told me! In quite
a nasty way too.
I said to her, does
that really call for divorce?
Oh! Of course
it does.
And then?
If it were me, I would have
divorced too! Is it possible to live without sex!?
Oh my!
They knew each other
for a year. They met through me.
And then?
When the girl wanted sex,
my friend would avoid it! He’d say, everything will happen after marriage!
And then?
But my friend should have told the girl about his problem before marriage. He did something really awful. The girl said some really terrible things to me.
To you?
Like, he can’t **, should I wash dishes with his salary or what? That type. Yes, to me. My friend has a really good job. He works at BAT.
What fault is that
of yours?
That I don’t know.
And then?
That’s it! Divorced!
Oh dear!
My friend now has two girlfriends. I have no idea about the girl. When she calls me, I’m too scared to pick up. That girl knows such awful swear words! Unimaginable!
How did this even happen! Now he has two girlfriends! How is that even possible?
That girl studies at Dhaka Medical. Final year.
Oh!
She’s quite beautiful, actually! It’s not hard for her to charm guys. Her greatest talent is being able to lie so smoothly. Her way of speaking is refined, lovely.
Your friend? What can good looks alone achieve!
Women just eat up lies and deceit!
Yes, that’s true, they do. Why are we so foolish?
I speak straight. That’s why I’m alone!
Hahahaha… you’re alone?
Meaning?
You said you’re alone… that’s why I was taken aback!
Don’t judge me. You don’t know me.
Look, can I not express myself clearly, or are my words like arrows? I can’t tell if my words hurt you.
It’s fine, no problem.
I didn’t say anything to judge you.
………………………………………….
Why are you leaving without saying anything?
Please don’t think that! Okay, I’ll tell you before I go. I have some work to do at home.
What are you doing? Is it right to leave without saying anything? You don’t care!
Come on, I said I’d tell you!
Fine!
I’m holding my ears. Do I have to act like that when I hold my ears?
If you speak so sweetly, I might just give you some affection.
If I speak harshly, you’ll probably punch me!
When will you be back home? Won’t you give me affection? Fine then!
Do you love poetry?
Yes, I love it dearly!
I see.
“I see” meaning you won’t give me affection?
No, you won’t. You just keep scolding me!
Should I share a poem? One that’s very dear to me? I wrote it myself. Here’s the link.
I read it. Exactly right—only then will true love be found, isn’t that so?
I’ve grown fond of you. Very much so.
For a reason? Or without reason?
Must everything be analyzed?
I can’t help but praise your taste. Whatever you write seems to become poetry. If you say it a bit harshly, it becomes rebellious. And if you say it gently, it falls like boundless love. I haven’t said a word of lie………….No, I don’t want analysis! What you’ve said is enough.
I don’t lie, I don’t deceive.
Yes, I understand.
……………………………………….
Oh hello! Are you listening………
Yes. Go ahead.
You haven’t eaten. When will you return home?
Can I say something?
Please do!
I keep eating something or other.
What do you like to be called? Formal ‘you,’ informal ‘you,’ or intimate ‘you’?
I’m feeling like thinking of you as close, feeling like speaking to you informally.
Yes, eating all that rubbish food outside just ruins the appetite! And you can speak to me informally if you want. When you address me formally, I feel hesitant.
Please speak to me informally too, if you wish. Read this poem. This poem has to be read without reading it. I mean, just feel it! Once that’s read, here’s this one.
I’m in the village, the internet is in a rather zero-type condition. I’ll read it and tell you later. Alright?……………Your teeth and hair are even more serene than you are! In all of you, I liked your hair and eyes the most. Looking at this picture……….Ohhhhh! Good thing there’s no data.
Okay.
Yes.
Today, I’m thinking, I’ll drink whiskey. At night. While watching the game. Haven’t had any for many, many, many months.
Why do you need to drink today then?
I don’t think so much before doing anything.
Why not drink a few years later instead.
I live in a world of moments.
That’s true!
If I ask why you haven’t drunk for all these months?
Just like that. I have so much pain, loneliness.
Well, is it raining over there?
No.
Will you give me your sorrows—not share them, but give them entirely? This would bring me a special benefit.
If you give love in return! What benefit?
While handling your sorrows, I’ll lose track of my own! Tsk, there won’t be any exchange system! If I give love, you’ll give sorrow! What kind of talk is this!
Exchange is good in some cases.
Let there be no exchange in this case! Donate them to me. It will be good for you!
Are you scared? Alright, I’m letting it go!
Uh-huh. Okay!
Got scared? But you’ll have to
endure the troubles, yes?
Scared!! Time will
tell.
I’ll keep waiting and watching
for time.
But if you get stuck,
you won’t be able to free yourself.
Well, super glue
will be saved then! Do you like the rain?
Why? Will you get drenched holding hands?
Nah! If you catch cold,
then the blame will fall on me! Though I can make strong ginger tea with liquor. I’m coming
now, okay? You finish your work. And be careful
going home.
What about the fact that I thought
you were coming to me?
Okay!
Alright, come then.
But there’s no rain,
how shall we set sail?
The heart can be brought.
The system of talking in the mind—
I can do that!
Me too!
Listen, I want to store up a lot of ‘sorries’ with you
first. I chatter a lot. In all that, I end up saying many wrong things.
I’m enjoying it.
And for whatever
makes you feel bad, you can take one
‘sorry’ from that collection, okay?
Yes.
Oh my, I haven’t even started chattering with you yet!
Once I start chattering, I’ll tell you, I won’t even keep you as a follower! On the other side, the bug in your ear will have a heart attack!
Why aren’t you mine?
I’m not even my own,
so I can’t belong to anyone.
Listen, if I punch you right on
your beautiful nose, then what? Suppose, after punching, I put tape on your nose? No, I won’t stick it too tight, so there’s no problem
with breathing.
Before that, you’ll embrace me,
won’t you?
I don’t punch with
so much affection. At most, I’ll serve care with my punch.
Hmm.
Want to hear a story?
Yes.
A king, a queen. They had two sons. They had much
happiness………….Both sons got married, after which their happiness said goodbye and left. Story ends.
Oh!
Your own writing?
Hehe……….
I had so so so much
fun.
Then laugh! That way I’ll know
you truly liked it. If you laugh because of one of my stories, I’m ready to tell you stories
all day.
Hahahahahaha
I won’t stop the laughter
by saying thanks! It really feels good to see you laugh.
Has this story appeared
anywhere else?
How would I know!
Or was it born
today?
It was born once before,
my little brother kept pestering me to listen. Then I said playfully, “You write the story. You’re good
at making up stories.”
Won’t write now.
In a little while.
I’m foolish,
so my head
has nothing but topsy-turvy ideas, no good sense at all! But I’m not rude though! Okay?
What happened, tell me sir, I say goodbye 1 hour early, and leave 1 hour late! Coming right now! Bye.
I’ll wait.
……………………………………….
Hey!
Yes! Oh hello!
You’re not here!
Meow!
Nobody’s anywhere.
Bow wow woof!
Can’t catch anyone’s
scent!
Stinky one!
Same to you!
How can I smell anything with a cold?
Caught you red-handed……..
I’m a little bird!
Don’t hurt me!
Will you be my
weaver bird?
What if I turn into
a crow someday!
Fine, I won’t be. Okay then.
Wow! You’re only
talking about yourself! My point has logic too, you know! Have you returned home?
My bedroom is right
next to my office room.
Did you have dinner?
You feed me.
Let me wash my hands,
wait. Hee hee hee………
I can feed you very
beautifully.
Really? I can too! But we can’t exactly test this, can we!
If we ever meet,
I will.
Okay!
By the way,
why would you feed me?
(To put it the way you
did……)
Won’t I? Fine, I won’t.
I didn’t forbid it.
Too much interrogation
isn’t nice.
I don’t want to let this
golden opportunity slip away! As punishment for keeping me as a follower, I’ll get the chance to bite your finger.
Yowwwwww!
Please, feed me!
Hmm.
Hey! No
nonsense!
Did you have dinner?
Lots of rain
here. No electricity. The phone will die any moment! Take care. Good night.
Hey…….no!
No power bank???…………Good night.
10% left. Let it go.
No. It’ll come in handy.
I can’t find the power bank!
Leave it charging.
It’ll just die anyway!
What if a call comes through!
Let’s use it for now. No urgent calls will come! But you haven’t told me—did you eat tonight or not.
Can I hear your voice a little? I didn’t have rice.
Try to find it through the sound of rain if you can. Why didn’t you eat?
I eat other things.
Oh!
I really do eat lots of different…things. This…
Hmm.
Nothing.
Feeling down? What happened?
I’ve downloaded all your photos to the desktop.
Why?
I don’t know.
You silly thing!
Yes, exactly! I am silly!
Yes indeed, you are a silly one.
Why?
How should I know!
Then you’re silly too!
Ha! But the name ‘silly’ suits you perfectly! Yes, I’ve always been silly anyway!
No. I’ll call you by another name. Weaver bird?
Alright!
I’ll call you lovingly.
Shall I give you a name?
Yes. Hehe…even when you’re angry with me, you’ll have to call me myna!
That’s why I didn’t give you that one.
I’ll call you sparrow.
I used to call someone that!
Really…? Truly? That’s half of a picnic feast!
Yes.
Oh I see.
Yes. Listen…
Hmm.
How much charge is left?
6%.
Ugh! I feel like bringing the power bank over.
Wouldn’t be bad! Just bringing the power bank’s charge would do, wouldn’t have to carry the whole thing.
Yes. What’s my name?
To me, you’re Sparrow.
Alright.
Hmm. I will call you Sparrow, just so you know.
That’s fine.
(Weaver bird set your nickname to Sparrow)
Weaver bird Sparrow! Want to read a series? Something I wrote long ago.
Hmm.
Wait.
Okay.
There you go. Hey, sweetheart!
I’m reading it, aren’t I! (There’s emphasis in my voice, you know!)
Is there charge on your phone?
4%.
I’m calling you sweetheart with such affection.
That is my name, after all! Oh, come on!
Meow.
Coo coo coo……..cooooo! Hee hee hee!
You cat!
What a little monkey!
Ehhhhhh!
Yesssssss!
Who was that mother-in-law who commented on the photo?
My mother. This is my cousin. He calls my mother mother-in-law.
I see.
That rascal! Oh no! 2%! There’s still more to write!
Why? Okay.
There’s still more to read!
Good night, little weaver bird!
Noooooo………there’s still 2% left!
Meow!
I want to give you everything! Coo!
Everything tonight? Won’t it run out again?
The charge? Hehehehe
Yes.
Until it shuts down………
Yes.
What if I can’t find the sparrow tomorrow? That’s why!
Pour everything into me! Won’t you find me? Why not?
Sparrow is such a bundle of hurt feelings!
Why? What made you think that?
I don’t know! Listen………you better fall asleep quickly though!
What happens to someone who leaves without putting you to sleep!
Huh…….okay sparrow? Alright, close your eyes. The weaver bird is parting your hair with its tiny finger. Uffffff 1% charge!
Should I moisten my lips?
I feel like crying! No charge! Hey, why did you open your eyes?
My eyes are closed! Kiss my eyes.
No nonsense! I’ll peck you!
No, I’ll caress you! Good night, little weaver bird! Knock when you wake up in the morning. I’ll be waiting.
………………………………………………….
Good afternoon.
That’s all, just this much?
When did you wake up?
Just now.
So late! Freshen up and eat something.
First tell me, why are you speaking so snippily? What have I done?
Oh my little bird!
Who says I’m being snippy?
No. Seriously,
tell me.
I could give you such a punch!
You weren’t here, were you! That’s why I was quiet. Now you’re here, so I’m talking.
You’re avoiding
me.
Blah blah blah!
Hey listen! You said ‘tumi’ to me!
Yes.
Yessssss!
You said ‘tumi’ and
then went back to ‘apni’ again.
Oops! I did say tumi!
I forgot. Sorry. Did you say I could call you tumi?
I’m sorry too.
I thought maybe
you said it because I asked yesterday. What’s wrong with it?
Yes. I was happy.
Though I’ve said it before.
You didn’t tell me
what to call you! That’s why I’m
still using ‘apni’. And still you’re angry…………….hello hello hello hello hello hello hello!!!!
I did tell you. Check
the conversation!
Yes, you said it at night. After I left. Okay, I’ll call you ‘tumi’.
I’ve said it before too.
No.
You said it after
I left.
Yes yes yes
I’ve said it before too!
No no no!
Quiettttttt!
Hee hee
hee………
Where are you?
Right in the middle
of your chest!
Kissing your hair
folliclessssss!
No! I’ll kiss your
blood cells instead.
Don’t like it?
Okay then.
Fine.
Bite and hold me,
blood will flow. Scratch and hold me,
blood will flow.
I’m a female demon!
I have the power to drain everything.
How many have you
taken so far?
I haven’t even
gotten human blood yet!
Liar!
Why would I lie?
I have no agenda with you!
If I did, maybe I’d say something.
Have you never been
touched by anyone?
On my hands and
lips.
Tell me more. And
there’s something else I want you to know?
He would put my hand
in the gaps between his fingers and help me cross the street. And I got a kiss on the lips.
My first love……..What do you want to tell me?
I don’t just talk to you to pass time, you know. I really like you.
I see. I kind of understand. Because you could have just stopped talking to me right there if you wanted.
There was kissing. But no lovemaking?
We were already far apart before lovemaking could happen. And when we truly wanted it, we were separated.
So you’ve never had a sexual experience?
Not yet. But I didn’t expect it either. Because I’m not going to marry!
Listen, all this talk—I don’t know if it’s right or not.
My little golden bird! I love my doll so much. I talk to it.
I’ll buy you one.
Sparrow, just having you is enough. I don’t need anything else!
I’ll stay, I have to stay.
Are you telling the truth?
Yes, I’m telling the truth. Did you read yesterday’s poem?
Yes. I’ve shared the poem. I’m going to recite it someday.
So, how tall are you?
5’4″.
I’m 5’11”.
I see.
Wow!
What?
Just saying wow.
You like my height.
Don’t say anymore.
What?
It causes me embarrassment.
Why?
When I stand with my girlfriends who are shorter—I mean, in size—I feel embarrassed.
I see.
Sometimes there’s no way to hide your face when you’re embarrassed.
Mm.
Hey, listen. Have you eaten?
I’ll just have brunch.
Don’t you have to eat in the morning? What’s wrong with you?
I’ll eat.
Hmph! How’s everyone at home?
I just woke up late!
Going out today?
You come and feed me.
Hmph, you lazy prince!
Give me some love.