A Long Way To Go: A Travelling Story (2015)

Chapter 14

Five days later, I realized that the college reunion was actually Sameen’s wedding with his college sweetheart, Jarin. The wedding was held in a grand community center. The Bengali weddings are fun especially food such as kacchi (lamb) biryani,   chicken kebabs and spring vegetables. The people were crowded as if some became lonely. I felt pity for the lonely ones. Therefore, I went to the stage and I said

“I heard most of you were gossiping, leaving the lonely ones alone. Look at people around you. Doesn’t it mean anything to you? Anyways, as I have experienced travelling, I realized that there are different people, different cultures, different identities, food and most of all, love, family and responsibility. I wish all the good luck to my friend Sameen and his lovely wife Jarin. Give them a big hand”.

Few hours later, when the guests except the boys were about to leave, they saw a gorgeous female fatale but with an honest gentleman aside.

“Sheeba!” exclaimed Iliyas.

“This is not the Sheeba you know. She was a seducer and a defamer but I am now a family woman. I know, I have hurt a lot of people but I did not understand the meaning of friendship until I saw your reunion. Oh, that must be Haroon’s wife, pleasure to meet you madam” said Sheeba.

“Pleasure to meet you too” said I.

“Sheeba, what you have done and thank God you revealed your perspective. But I must say, you taught us losing friends may help us grow a little wiser but gaining it anew is much more of a wisest decisions ever” said Iliyas.

“I must say, I felt you might have realized something. You have changed a lot” said Saiful.

“People can change their actions after years. I have forgiven you” said Ali.

“No comments but it’s okay” said Sameen.

“I saw you have added me on Facebook but I did not accept your request. Anyways, you have a family now, I will accept you” said Haroon.

After they have forgiven Sheeba, she introduced her husband. He was a suave businessman.  Anyways, Maisha revealed that she was pregnant. We were so happy about it.

10 YEARS LATER….

We had a twin: a son and a daughter, Iliyas and Maisha had a son, Areeta and Saiful had a daughter and Sameen and Jarin had a son. We were at the big resort in village as mom was playing with the children. I was so lucky to have a mom like that. I did not go back to New York for a reason: learning culture but otherwise we have travelled a lot of countries and states. Life is a circle and Journey is a record that we can retell to others.

THE END