After waking at half past four in the morning, Mauri spent another hour and a half drifting between sleep and wakefulness. When the morning light fell across her face, she finally got up. Then she couldn't decide whether to freshen up first or start breakfast by boiling milk. After thinking it over for a long time, she decided to freshen up first, clear her head, then go to the stove.
Breakfast was done, though she didn't feel like eating now; she never liked eating breakfast so early, but still she forced down 2-3 spoons of noodles, gulped down a glass of milk, and took her medicine.
Mother always makes tea early in the morning. Today the tea was also undrinkable. Mauri always made terrible tea, but tea from her mother's hands always tasted like nectar. Mother had made the tea in a hurry today. Since the house guest was leaving this morning, it would have been surprising if the hastily made tea had turned out any better.
Whatever the case, when getting ready and leaving quickly, Mauri never forgot to kiss her sleeping son's forehead. She also never forgot to tell her mother when leaving.
Meanwhile, Pekham had called several times. Mauri hadn't been able to answer even once because her phone was on silent, and she didn't realize calls had come until she looked. She didn't call back while at home. This was Mauri's habit. If someone called before she went out somewhere, she preferred not to talk at home. It increased both the curiosity and suspicion of family members, which Mauri found unbearably irritating.
She got a good bus on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. Mauri hadn't expected to find such a good bus. Just as she sat down, Pekham's call came. Passengers were still boarding and settling in, so Mauri couldn't take this call either. She could sense that Pekham was worried. Pekham was naturally restless by nature. When the bus started moving, Mauri called back.
Like snatching something away hungrily, Pekham answered before the first ring could finish.
Hello... where are you? I just got on the bus. I see. How long might it take? I don't know, I just got on. If the roads are clear, maybe I'll reach quickly. Okay, send me your current location on WhatsApp. Then I can understand the timing. Alright.
They were meeting after almost two months. Both had been restless with longing during these two months. Many times they had planned to meet but it didn't work out. Sometimes Pekham had problems, other times Mauri!
Before even crossing halfway, Pekham had called at least five or six times to find out how far Mauri had reached. Mauri loved Pekham's restlessness, but more in reality than over the phone. When Pekham got anxious about this and that in front of her, Mauri wanted to hold her tight and kiss her lips hard, though she hadn't done it yet.
Today was a government holiday. The roads were completely empty. Mauri reached in just forty-five minutes. Then she had to change transport a bit. Getting off the bus, Mauri reached Pekham's new flat within twenty minutes. As soon as she rang the bell, Pekham opened the door so quickly as if she had been standing right there holding it. All of Pekham's restlessness was very amusing.
Mauri entered the room. She couldn't help being amazed after entering! A single young person had decorated such a large flat so beautifully that Mauri could hardly believe it! Of course, Mauri had always seen Pekham through beautiful eyes for many years. Mauri had always believed that Pekham would always show her most beautiful side to Mauri. Mauri believed this from her heart. Who knows if it was because of that belief that nothing awkward had ever happened between Pekham and Mauri.
For some reason, when they came close to each other, they became strangely calm and steady. Nothing else in the world could touch them. They only wanted to exist with each other.
Mauri and Pekham together made vegetable noodles for breakfast, along with chicken stew. Pekham washed and cut all the vegetables, while Mauri cooked. Though Pekham wanted to cook herself, Mauri wouldn't let her. Pekham also set the table.
For a moment, Mauri felt tremendously happy. Love seemed completely fake to her, yet she desperately wanted to believe everything about Pekham was real.
Just as she had wanted seven years ago, for Pekham to say once, just once, "Mauri, stay with me forever as mine," even today, after all these years, Mauri's desire hadn't changed one bit.
Even after developing complete disbelief in love, why she still wanted to think such things about Pekham, Mauri truly didn't know.
Lost in these thoughts, gazing at Pekham, Mauri had breakfast with her. Meanwhile Pekham kept chattering away, and Mauri stared at her with unwavering eyes. Pekham almost always talked, Mauri almost always listened. This very thing made their chemistry perfect.
When Mauri occasionally spoke or answered in the midst of conversation, Pekham would silence even the sound of air if she could. We all only want to speak; none of us are good listeners. If one could be a good listener, a relationship becomes sweeter than honey!
That sweetness had always flowed in Pekham and Mauri's relationship.
But everything in the world is uncertain. Perhaps because of the long distance, that momentary sweetness hadn't been spoiled even today.
Mauri ate a little and couldn't eat anymore. Of course, Mauri's eating was always just that much. Besides, Pekham had served her quite a lot, and Pekham finished the rest herself. Pekham kept saying it was wonderful, the noodles had turned out really good. The stew was also absolutely fantastic!
Mauri never considered herself an expert cook, but when she cooked, she always gave her best effort. Mauri was passionate about any task, whether cooking or kissing.
Mauri enjoyed watching Pekham eat. After eating, she showed Mauri around the entire house. She showed her everything she had bought and from where. Mauri was quite amazed to see that a single young person had organized an entire house so beautifully! From all kinds of food to not forgetting even the smallest necessary items. Pekham had done at least four times the shopping from the list Mauri had given. Mauri truly hadn't expected this much. She thought this was possible only because it was Pekham. To her, Pekham was always tremendously dear, just like her potted plant.
She had even arranged a separate room for watching movies. There was a TV, bed, and home theater there. Standing face to face at some distance, Pekham was chattering away. What she would do, her various work plans, this, that.
Mauri was naturally restless and mischievous. Though unexpected storms had slowed life down somewhat, that inner fidgety grasshopper spirit was still alive. People understand this and it emerges from time to time.
While listening to Pekham's work plans, Mauri was making mischievous expressions in response. Suddenly Pekham rushed over, embraced Mauri, pressed lips to lips and began kissing deeply. Mauri's insides trembled with shivers. Letting her body float into Pekham's, she felt light, feeling as if she had gained this entire world, that she had nothing more to ask from life.
Mauri doesn't really know whether Pekham wanted her just as madly back in those days as he craves her now. But Mauri had wanted him—oh, how desperately she had wanted him—though she never once spoke those feelings aloud. She had simply been there, hoping Pekham might somehow sense the depths of her love. Yet Pekham couldn't bring himself to defy society even once, couldn't say even now: "Mauri, life has given me a second chance. This time I won't let you slip away. Stay with me as my companion for whatever remains of our lives. I've seen enough of this world. In the end, whether I'm happy or miserable doesn't matter to anyone. Come—let's leave this rotten society behind and live for each other this time."
If only Pekham would say these words just once. Then Mauri would never go back anywhere else. In that very moment she would take his hand and stay with him until death! Nothing draws Mauri anywhere now. The endless struggle of living has left her utterly exhausted, worn down by wave after wave of weariness. Mauri had no plan to return to Pekham. She can't understand why or how she came back. It had always been like this between Mauri and Pekham. Neither could ever avoid the other, and they still can't. Even now, when they come close, they become entangled in each other's arms.
After Pekham's marriage, Mauri never tried to stay in touch. She had thought: let it be, he's married now, let him be happy with his wife. Mauri didn't want to diminish herself any further by maintaining her existence within that happiness. But Pekham couldn't find happiness in the end. Ah, what strange things make people happy!
Pekham often says that through all these years, he has yearned for Mauri countless times. The deep roots of that intimate love from their past—he could never tear them out. The reason isn't physical, it's profoundly mental and spiritual.
Mauri knows these are Pekham's heartfelt words. Because of Pekham's striking appearance, many girls had swooned over him before, so Mauri remained doubtful and hesitant about whether Pekham truly felt her love, and if he did, whether those feelings stirred him in the same way. That's why she never really spoke her feelings aloud to Pekham. Perhaps he sensed that intensity through her actions and behavior.
That doubt hasn't left Mauri even today, and it still drowns her in the same despair. The reason is that Pekham still doesn't say, as he never did before: "Mauri, stay with me, live the rest of your life with me."
Today Mauri was supposed to cook lunch—it had been decided beforehand. Accordingly, Pekham had bought chicken. He'd also done some grocery shopping. When Pekham went to shower, Mauri was washing and cleaning the chicken thoroughly.
Right after his shower, Pekham came out and asked, "What are you doing?" "Just cleaning the chicken. I have to cook, you know." "Today I'll do the cooking. You eat and tell me how it turns out." "Really? You can cook?" "I'll try today. If I don't try, I'll never learn." "Why do you suddenly need to learn this?" "Just because. I'll cook today. You don't have to do anything. Just watch. Let me experiment a little and see what happens. Something will come out of it, right?"
Mauri laughed and said nothing. Then Pekham started explaining what spices he'd add to the chicken. He said he'd put some cinnamon powder in at the end. At this, Mauri burst into laughter.
"Really? Why cinnamon powder instead of cumin powder?" "Cinnamon powder will make it really delicious. You'll see!" "Ha ha ha, alright, alright, okay." "No... tell me!... Won't it work? Can't it be done this way?" "Of course it can! Why wouldn't it work?" "No, no, tell me honestly." "I told you, of course it can. Ha ha ha..."
Suddenly Mauri felt that life was very beautiful.
Mauri started grating onions and garlic for paste. Pekham brought ginger—now he'd blend all the spices together. Without bothering to grate the ginger, he'd just wash it and throw it in the blender. The garlic wouldn't need careful grating either, nor would the onions need chopping; everything would go in the blender for a powerful whirl, and that would do it.
Hearing Pekham's plans, Mauri was laughing herself to exhaustion. Almost forcibly, she took the piece of ginger from Pekham's hand, grated it clean, and minced it along with onions, garlic, cilantro, and green chilies. Now it was Pekham's turn for the vigorous blending.
Once the spice paste was ready, Pekham rubbed half of it into the chicken with his own hands and put it on the stove. Then he cut eggplant himself, mixed it with turmeric, chili powder and salt, and fried it.
He made rice in the rice cooker. Mauri cut salad—big chunks of cucumber with skin on, tomatoes and lemon! They finished cooking with quite a spread. Pekham himself brought serving dishes, washed the plates and spoons, and transferred the chicken. Mauri served rice and salad while the eggplant finished frying. Pekham arranged everything carefully on the table.
The two of them sat down to eat.
Mauri put ghee on the hot rice. Pekham served food to Mauri, and she served him. Before they started eating, Pekham said, "This is the first time we're eating together like a family."
Mauri just smiled softly. Hearing these words should have made her happy, but instead Mauri bent down under a terrible weight of sorrow. With such deep blue pain, one cannot look into someone's eyes while speaking.
Pekham kept explaining to Mauri in various ways that she should get married—such a big dining table, six chairs. She should get married and have four children. Then the full table and chairs would look good.
Mauri agreed. Pekham told her to look for a bride. Mauri asked about the requirements. Pekham gestured that he wanted a bride like Mauri, and Mauri laughed. Hearing all this, Mauri couldn't feel joy bubbling up from within. For Pekham, these were just playful remarks, but for Mauri, each word lodged in her chest like a bombshell.
Yet somehow, from deep within, Mauri senses that when Pekham reaches fifty, he'll desperately want to be with her. He'll want it terribly, so very much. Mauri doesn't know why she feels this way.
They finished eating while chatting and joking. Mauri hardly had to feed herself—Pekham kept lifting food to her mouth and feeding her. Pekham said, "You don't have to do anything, I'll wash and clean everything." He absolutely wouldn't let Mauri wash the dishes. What could she do? After he washed them, Mauri was just arranging them in the dining cart.
The day spent with Pekham seems to end in a flash for Mauri. Mauri doesn't know if Pekham feels exactly the same way. When Mauri moves to leave, does Pekham also feel like embracing and holding her back, just as Mauri wants to do?
Afternoon had nearly rolled in. Though they'd planned to make tea, it never got made. After lunch, both had gotten a bit tired from tidying everything up. They fell asleep listening to music. Mauri woke up around evening; Pekham was still sleeping. Mauri loves watching Pekham sleep.
For Mauri and Pekham to sleep together every day, side by side on the same bed—this had been Mauri's longing. Mauri never wanted to be a temporary guest. She doesn't want it today either. Yet she remained just that—a guest.
Evening descended. The call to prayer echoed from the mosque. Mauri got up; now she had to prepare for the journey back. She gently touched Pekham and said she was getting ready. Half-asleep, Pekham nodded.
After getting ready, Mauri touched Pekham once more. This time Pekham sat up. He immediately pulled Mauri into his chest, kissed her all over her face, and said, "Go carefully, call me when you reach." He asked if she'd taken the ring box.
Naughty Mauri could never resist the urge to be mischievous. Wrapping her arms around Pekhom's waist from behind, holding him tight, she said, "What would I do with the box? I have the real thing in my hands—just an empty box."
Who knows what suddenly came over Pekhom! He pulled Mauri close and began showering her with wild affection. Mauri could neither stop Pekhom nor herself.
Mauri left another hour later. Their entire day had passed in a trance. She had no desire to leave at all—she wanted to hold Pekhom close to her heart for eternity.
The moment she crossed the gate of Pekhom's house, Mauri felt as if she had tumbled out of a dream into a brutal world—a world where Mauri fought with herself every single day just to survive!
Tonight the moon had grown wet. Pekhom captured a picture of the dampened moon emerging from dark clouds and sent it to Mauri. By then, she was already racing back down the path of her eternally monotonous life...