The 3G Life

August 20 Monday 2018

Today is Eid ul-Adha. I wish I can say that my Eid day is going well but unfortunately it is the worst Eid ever. No, Eid is a blessing from God. I shall not say this. But still Eid in Dhaka is the worst nightmare anyone can ever have. I miss my grandparents and my relatives.

"I am going to die within an hour," I say to Rihana over the phone.

"No, you are not. You have enough oxygen," replies Rihana.

"How could you leave me like this?"

"The way you leave me every year."

"What do you mean? Are you taking revenge?"

Rihana has went to Bikrampur and I am stuck here. True that I always leave for Naogaon on every Eid occasion. I am brushing my hair and missing all the people who can be in my life right now. I just want my Nanumoni to be here and everything will be alright.

3G will be closed for at least another two weeks. I have no chance to meet anyone. Though I know most of them are here in Dhaka but unfortunately I am too egoistic. I am not even going to message them if they do not message me first. Do they have my phone number?

"Would you please go downstairs?" askes my mother.

"No. I don't want to see the animals," I reply.

"But they are missing you."

"How do you know? Did they call?"

"Um no. But they are calling from downstairs."

But I am not going. I love animals and I am terribly afraid of blood. Which reminds me, something happened the other day. Aadil has kidney problem. Yes, he never told anyone but me. And the only reason he does not do it because he does not want to earn the sympathy of other people.

And I have assured him that his secret is safe with me. But at the same time I am disturbed by the thought that he is not taking care of himself. He drinks too much coffee which is seriously damaging to his health. Even if I ask him to stop, he will never listen to me.

I promise myself that I will never have coffee from him again. Only in that way I can stop him drinking coffee. But even if it does not work, I am not changing my mind. He had two operations one after the other. How can a human be so suicidal?

I text to Mohammed sir "Eid Mubarak." He is my teacher. Students should never be egoistic towards their teachers. And he is one of my most favorite teachers. He treats me well and see that I am actually working hard on Mathematics. Besides, he has a face that earns everyone's respect.

Mohammed sir scolds us. But without him, I may not have even been introduced to 3G at all. Because no other math teacher can give me time on my time. Except Mohammed sir who is always available six days a week and stays from morning till night.

"Eid Mubarak to you too," texts back Mohammed sir.

"How are you sir? In Dhaka?" I text again.

"Yeah, but in Mohammedpur, at our family home."

"Oh, not very far then. Visit us sometimes?"

"In Shaa Allah. If I have the time."

See. Mohammed sir is that simple. I do not know why the boys hate him so much. They are always complaining that sir prefers us girls more than boys. But unfortunately, I am the only girl in class. And to comfort me, Mohammed sir always takes my side.

Saeed has been quite sad the day before vacation started. He has to go to Puran Dhaka, the place which he hates the most. But unfortunately his grand family lives there. He does not know how lucky he is to be able to visit his grand family unlike me who cannot even if she wants to.

My father has already met Saeed and he is okay with him. He comments that even if he is dark-skinned he has a handsome face. I remember to pass on the comment to Saeed the following day and his smile was so huge it went up to his ears.

We have grown some friendly terms. We even shook hands the other day and he felt like a younger brother. His hand has a good grip maybe because of his Pathan blood. But there is not wanting in it. Most boys have made me feel wanted on direct skin contact.

"I never thought I would have the honor to," says Saeed.

"Well, my father approves, so why not?" I reply.

"I wish Zara's father was half like yours."

"Maybe in your wildest dream."

"True. Your father is actually quite unique."

I know he is. He is the best father in the world. And I have to say, much handsome than any other man I have ever met. He is liberal minded but a little reserved. But still, if you get to know him, you will know that he is actually the world's best person to hang out with.

When will this vacation come to an end and I will be able to see all my classmates? I even miss Mohammed sir a bit. And even Uncle Sahib. I never think that I can miss a teacher and class so much. I guess that is what 3G does to you. It makes you addicted to it.