AMINAH- Based on A True Story (2019)

13

Instead of Dr. Jehangir, visiting Kantu's house, he went to the rest house. It was squared, made with bricks and there were brown tins, covered as a triangle at the top while the creamy yellow, squared, antique walls were at the middle and the cement floors at the bottom. It was like a Bengali duke's house.

"Sir, when would you meet Kantu?" asked the van puller.

"I will, tomorrow. I am tired by the way. What's your name again?" said Jehangir.

"Rashed" said Rashed, the van puller.

He entered the room. It was more of an inn room than a duke's house inside. A long, single bed, a mirror and a wardrobe. Therefore, he slept quickly after changing his clothes.

The next day, Shezan woke up and saw Aminah who was dressed as a child. He smiled at her. He knew that something would never going to change till now- her innocence. The innocence that kept remind him of the college years that let her drop the semester. It haunted him but it tamed him at the same time.

"Hello, Chubby cheeks! You...look...thin" said Aminah/Amelia.

"Well, hello, Amelia, it's been so long!" said Shezan.

"I...miss...you...would...you...like...to...go...out...with...me?" said Amelia.

Shezan got relieved that he would be going out with Amelia after a long time. He felt the cold breeze of air and peaceful vibes in the middle of the sky with a heavenly feeling. He might love Aminah but Amelia felt as of the virtue and goodness that felt the shoes of the soul.

Shezan and Amelia went out to the grocery store. The grocery store had full of apples, bananas, fishes and meat in the fridge as well as the racks of the spices. It was such of a market decorated with antique-like colors. The grocery store owner was checking out the product's demand and supply as well as was writing it out. The grocery owner noticed Amelia and Shezan. He smiled at them with delight that Shezan felt the happiness inside Aminah/Amelia again.

"Well, Hello, Amelia, how have you been? It's been so long!" said the grocery store owner with delight.

"I...am...fine...uncle...this...is...my...friend...Shezan" said Amelia.

The grocery owner and Shezan shook hands. Then Aminah went to the corner to see the apples and other colorful fruits that kept her busy. On the meantime, Shezan and the grocery store owner secretly got back into their real selves.

"Well, you are Dr. Jehangir's son, aren't you?" said the grocery store owner.

"Yes, I am" said Shezan.

"I met your father 5 months ago. He's just like you but a slight difference. That's how I recognized you" said the grocery store owner.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir" said Shezan.

"No need to call me sir, I am just like an uncle. But watch out for Amelia. She steals our fruit" whispered the grocery store owner.

"But this time, we will" said Shezan with a childish smile. Amelia took the apples and other fruit baskets from the store, while Shezan ran with her. But he looked back and winked at the grocery store owner which he meant that he would pay for the price. They went out to the park which had swings. Amelia kept the basket below the see saw. Shezan and Aminah went to the swings. They swing and laughed.

"You...know...I...missed...you...a...lot" said Amelia.

"I miss you too, dear" smiled Shezan.

They were not only just swinging, they just cherished the past moments with Amelia. Their lives. Their memories. Their moments. All were combined in a manner to have the delight that the celebration was about to the started.

On the contrary to that, meanwhile, Dr. Jehangir went to Kanta's house with Rashed. The house were made of tins and blue windows. There was a rocking chair on the front. Behind the house, there were rice fields that were fresh as water.

"Brother! Someone is here to see you" cried Rashed.

The man hopped out of the house. He looked at Dr. Jehangir with his bright eyes and felt a sense of familiarity. On the contrast to that, Jehangir also felt the similarity of the familiarity.

"Oi Jammu!" cried the man.

"Oh God damn Chommu!" cried Jehangir.

Both hugged together with a deep sense that they met an old friend.

"Your brother and I were school friends. We used to steal mangoes together. You are that Rashu.... Am I right?" asked Jehangir.

"Oh, Jammu bhai! I am so sorry that I failed to recognize you!" said Rashed.

"It's okay, dear... May I talk to Kantu?" asked Jehangir.

"You mean, my wife? Why?" asked Chommu.

"It's about Aminah" said Jehangir in a deep voice.

A woman hopped out from the door. She was wearing a saree, veiled her hair and was coming down with a graceful tone. It was in such a manner that the men were mesmerized by her move and naivety.

"Sir, what happened to Aminah?" asked the woman.

"It's a very long story. Could we get in?" asked Jehangir.

"Why not? Come and have some tea" said the woman, Kantu.

They hopped into the house. The back windows were open and also the beds were similar to of that guest house but the slightest difference was that it was doubled up. Chommu was a school teacher and his wife assisted him for the teaching as she began to say.

"....And so, we are now having a happy married life" said Kantu further.

"So, could you tell me of Aminah's past?" asked Jehangir.

"As far as I did. After her grandmother passed away, we took her to the shelter and I begun to notice a sudden, childish change on Aminah's character. She was calling herself Amelia. I thought that she was kidding but something strange made me realized that her depression increased. Therefore, we let her admit in the town college. Thus, we never heard the news about her. Until, I found out that due to her childishness, she dropped the semester due to depression. Since then, I totally disconnected with her for the reason. We had a beautiful friendship where we used to play together such as jumpers, tops and marbles. Now, the days are bygone" said Kantu.

"You know something? You should have taken her to the psychiatrist to the first place and you didn't" said Jehangir.

"I regret that" said Kantu.

What was the strange mystery behind the curtains of their friendship? What was the hint that Kantu was about to give? Would it be revealed in the later phase?