The 3G Life

November 25 Sunday 2018

I am continually praying to God that may Aayan come today. I have not seen him for the last five days. He is not picking up my calls, nor Saeed's, nor Mohammed sirs, nor Uncle Sahib's. He does not even return any of my eleven texts. And now, I am worried to my bones.

"Hey, where have you been?" I ask as Aayan came in.

"I had exam. And everyone was calling..... Why?" he asks back.

"Because everyone was tensed, and so was I."

"I did such a foolish work on my biology paper."

"Before you say anything, take these notes."

I hand him the Bengali vocabulary notes that he asks from me. And then I hand him the present that I buy for him. It actually is a goodbye gift, though I pray to God that may he be my soul mate and never leave me. But I do not want to take chances. I make this mistake so many times.

He thanks me as I hand him the notes but is quite surprised when I hand him the present. He asks me what is it for and I just tell him to keep it and there is a chit inside that he has to read when he gets home. He smiles his most genuine graceful smile and all my pain is worth it.

"Have you got peace of mind now?" asks Zara as she comes in.

"What peace are you talking about?" I reply back.

"You had eaten everyone's brains," Zara snaps.

"Yes. I am happy now. And please stop talking."

"Why? I should tell him everything."

I plead with my eyes to Zara for stopping. But she still glares back. True, I am asking everyone about Aayan's whereabouts. I even ask my Nanumoni to call Aayan and ask him to call me back. And I continuously tell Zara that I am worried and literary make up an entire novel about it.

I notice Aayan smiling but he does not say anything else. Zara passes me her phone to show me the message that Niha has sent in our group chat. I ask Zara, to reply back, that I am alright. Niha is asking Zara to beat us both up and to knock some senses back to our heads.

She again passes me her phone to show me a GIF. It is actually two cats that are fighting and tripping. I love cats and I know Aayan loves them too. I show it to him and he smiles at it. Why is not he talking much today? I am getting pissed off. He does not even say thanks.

Just then Saeed enters. He has changed his get up in the last few days. He used to wear jackets and T-shirts but nowadays he is wearing full-sleeved cardigan. He is actually looking like a "good boy" but I like the old him better. Today I notice a new watch on his wrist.

The other day I gift him a perfume and in return he gifts me an hourglass. And he also writes a lovely letter along with it. And he continuously thanks me and resents me because according to him, my gift to him is too expensive. But I cut him off. It is actually nothing.

"You see a little off-beat today," I imply as Saeed takes his seat.

"No. I am fine. Just not feeling so well," he replies wearily.

"Are you upset for any reason?"

"No. I am fine. Thanks for your concern."

"Do you have a fever or anything?"

He just smiles that does not reach up to his eyes and takes out his QPs. Even a child can say that something is definitely wrong with him. I think once of sitting with him today but again, I am with Aayan after such a long time. Maybe I will call Saeed after I get home.

It is 2pm and I have to leave. I hate to leave so soon because I am seeing Aayan after such a long time. But I have to remain alive to see him again. I pack my bag and stand up. He notices and gets up to let me out. I hang my bag as gracefully as I can over my shoulder.

Then I go straight to Saeed. I touch his watch and ask him about it. He tells that it is new and a gift from his father. I again ask him if he is upset. But he replies that he is just not physically well. I place my hand on his forehead and feel his body temperature higher than normal.

I know I have nothing to do about it so I go back to Zara. I ask her to say goodbye to me. She says goodbye and indicates me to say the same to Aayan. Even if she is irritated about my behavior earlier, she knows how much I LOVE Aayan. She just gives me an encouraging smile.

"Allah Hafez. I will see you again?" I asks Aayan.

"Yeah, bye. Take care of yourself," replies Aayan.

"Stop pulling your hair like that."

"Why? It is just a habit of mine."

"You would go bald if you continue doing that."

With this I leave the room and meet Mohammed sir on the way. He takes a long break today and is coming back just now. I tell him I will come back on Wednesday. With that I leave and walk down the stairs. I am smiling with relief. Thank God, Aayan is okay.

I stand at the gate of 3G building and offer asilent prayer to God again. Then I carefully cross the street. And this time Ido not look back. On the way I meet Nasrin ma'am and she greets me with abrilliant smile. Just then it occurs to me that 3G has blessed me well.