“Barshan, you know I love you so much?”

“I love you too, my sweet bird.”

“What’s wrong with you? Haven’t you woken up yet? How long will you keep sleeping? You forgot, didn’t you—there’s a college function today, and you’re the host! Get up, Megh!”

At her elder sister’s call, Megh opened her sleepy eyes and mumbled, “What is it, Apu? You broke my dream! You know, just a little more and Barshan was about to—”

“Yes, yes, I know exactly what he was about to do,” Mehul interrupted with a teasing tone. “I’ll tell Uncle today to fix your engagement as soon as possible. Now get up!”

Megh, still half-asleep, rested her head on her sister’s knee, wrapping her arms around Mehul’s waist. “Apu, please, let me sleep a little more. I don’t feel like getting up. It’s so cold outside!”

Mehul gently stroked her sister’s hair. “Sweetheart, you’re hosting the college function today. You need to go early and check everything, right? Come on, get up before Aunty starts shouting again.”

Reluctantly, Megh sat up. She was terrified of their aunt—though not for her own sake. If Megh ever made a mistake, their aunt would never scold her directly; instead, she would hurl cruel words at Mehul.

The two orphaned sisters had been raised in their uncle’s house since childhood. Their aunt, Dilara, often bragged to the neighbors, “I’m such a kind woman! Imagine, keeping those two unlucky girls in my house! If it were someone else, their graves would’ve been overgrown with weeds by now!”

Mehul and Megh heard everything silently, bearing it all because they had nowhere else to go.

Their uncle, Mahtab Uddin, was their only comfort—he loved them dearly. In secret, he often brought them gifts despite his wife’s anger.

Mehul was twenty-seven now—an age when most women had families of their own—but marriage was something her fate hadn’t allowed. Every time a proposal came, her aunt would sabotage it. After all, who would willingly lose two unpaid housemaids?

Both sisters were bright, but while Mehul had to stop her studies after high school under her aunt’s strict orders, she didn’t let Megh’s future die. She begged and cried until her aunt finally agreed to let Megh continue—on one condition: Megh must always come first in every exam.

If she ever placed second, her studies would end immediately.

Mehul had declared proudly, “You’ll see, Aunty—my Megh will never come second!”

And Megh kept that promise. She topped every exam and now studied at one of the country’s best medical colleges, securing admission with record-breaking marks.

Her dream was to become a renowned doctor one day—and to open a hospital in her sister’s name.

For Megh, the world consisted of only two people: her sister and her uncle. But recently, a new name had been added—Barshan.

They first met at a coaching center. At first, Megh didn’t care much for him. But Barshan’s cheerful nature, his helpfulness, and the respect he showed everyone slowly won her heart.

They got into the same medical college, and before long, their unspoken feelings found words—Barshan confessed his love.

That day became the happiest day of Megh’s life. She had cried in his arms, overwhelmed by the feeling of having gained something she had only ever dreamed of.

Megh wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful. Her skin was a soft shade of dusk, her kohl-lined eyes long and deep like still lotus ponds, her thick black hair always braided neatly. The small mole beside her neck seemed to complete her beauty.

Whenever she remembered the day Barshan confessed, a smile always found its way to her lips—even in sorrow.

It was after class; everyone was busy around the campus. Megh was looking for Barshan but couldn’t find him. Then a girl told her he was near the grove behind the hall.

When she reached there, she stopped short—rose petals were scattered all over the ground.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message:

“Take one more step forward, and you’ll find me.”

Cautiously, she walked ahead, and suddenly, someone covered her eyes from behind. Megh laughed softly. “Barshan, what are you doing?”

Surprised, he asked, “How did you know it was me?”

Megh giggled, “You don’t know how well my sixth sense works.”

“Then don’t ruin the surprise,” Barshan said, leading her gently by the hand.

After a few steps, he whispered, “Now open your eyes.”

When Megh did, she was stunned—her classmates stood around, each holding a blue lotus. One by one, they handed her the flowers. There were one hundred and one in total.

Then they stepped aside, revealing words spelled out in petals:

“I love you, Megh. Will you be mine forever?”

Barshan knelt before her, holding a ring.

“Megh, will you be mine?”

The crowd cheered, “Say yes, Megh!”

Her friend Ohona nudged her playfully. “If you don’t say yes, I’ll take him myself! Boys like Barshan don’t come twice!”

Tears welled up in Megh’s eyes as she extended her hand. Barshan slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled her into a tight embrace.

From that day, their journey together began.

Megh told everything to Mehul—she never hid anything from her sister. Mehul was overjoyed; she cried happy tears thinking, at last, my Megh will have a home of her own.

But Megh had made one promise:

“Before I marry Barshan, your wedding will happen first, Apu.”

---

To be continue........,

Megh quickly got ready.

Mehul stood watching her, eyes soft with affection — her little sister looked so serene, so radiant.

Megh turned to her.

“What are you staring at like that, Apu? Doesn’t my makeup look good?”

Mehul walked over, took a tiny bit of kohl from her own eye, and touched it to Megh’s neck.

Megh laughed. “What are you doing, Apu?”

Mehul kissed her on the forehead and said, “Just giving you a little black mark so no evil eye can touch my fairy.”

Megh grinned. “Such superstition, Apu! And besides, no one’s going to dare look twice at a ghost like me.”

Mehul laughed. “This little ghost of mine happens to be loved madly by a prince named Barshan.”

At the sound of his name, Megh’s cheeks flushed red.

Mehul burst out laughing. “Oh my! My Megh even blushes now!”

Megh, embarrassed, dashed out of the room — only to bump straight into her aunt in the courtyard.

Her head bowed instantly. “I didn’t see you there, Aunty.”

Dilara’s sharp voice echoed, “Of course you didn’t! How could you, flying around like a restless bird? If I had fallen and broken my back, who would’ve treated me, hmm? Your father? Oh wait—he can’t, can he? You girls already ate him alive! And now you’re planning to eat me next, aren’t you?”

Tears filled Megh’s eyes. She’d heard these words all her life.

Hearing the commotion, Mehul rushed out and quickly stood in front of her sister.

“Aunty, please don’t blame Megh. She was just in a hurry for her college function and didn’t see you. Tell me where it hurts; I’ll massage it for you.”

Dilara raised her voice even louder.

“She’s getting too spoiled lately. If she keeps flying, I’ll have no problem clipping her wings myself!”

With that, she stormed inside.

Mehul turned to Megh, wiping her tears.

“Why are you crying? You know how she is. I’ve told you before — don’t keep bad words, bad memories, or bad people in your heart. Forget them as if they never existed.”

She smiled gently. “Now wipe your eyes. Your kajal’s all smudged — you really do look like a ghost now. Barshan will faint if he sees you like this!”

Megh sniffled but smiled.

“Alright, Apu. I’m fine now. I won’t cry anymore. I’ll go, okay?”

Before she left, Mehul slipped a 1000-taka note into her hand.

“Uncle said to give you this. And on your way, buy a garland of white jasmine and tuck it into your hair. You’ll look even more beautiful.”

Megh puffed her cheeks playfully. “So, I don’t look good enough already?”

Mehul laughed. “My baby always looks beautiful. Now go — you’ll be late.”

---

As soon as Megh stepped out of the auto-rickshaw, her best friend Ohona came running, out of breath.

“Finally! You decided to show up? Dipal sir’s been calling you for ages — your phone’s off! He’s going to kill you!”

Megh slapped her forehead. “Oh no! I completely forgot. My phone died. Don’t worry — I know how to handle Sir. Just tell me where he is.”

Ohona giggled. “In his office. Come on.”

They reached Dr. Dipal Chandra Barman’s cabin. Megh knocked softly. “May I come in, Sir?”

Dr. Dipal was furious — but the moment he saw Megh’s face, his anger melted away.

Still pretending to be stern, he said, “So, you finally decided to show up? Do you know how angry the Dean is? The guests will arrive any minute, and you — the host — are nowhere to be found!”

Smiling, Megh opened her bag, took out a red rose and a chocolate, and slipped them into his coat pocket.

“Happy Birthday, Sir.”

Dr. Dipal froze. “You… you remembered?”

Megh smiled softly. “How could a mother ever forget her son’s birthday?”

Years ago, Dr. Dipal had lost his only daughter, Nandita, to cancer. From the first day he met Megh, something about her reminded him of his lost child. In her, he found a reflection of the daughter he had lost.

Wiping his eyes, he whispered, “I must have done both good and bad deeds in my past life. God took Nandita away from me, but sent you to fill her place.”

Megh gently wiped his tears. “Sons shouldn’t cry in front of their mothers, you know. If you cry, I’ll start crying too — and then my kajal will be ruined, and I’ll need another hour to fix it! I won’t be able to host at all.”

Her playful tone made Dr. Dipal laugh through his tears.

When Megh stepped out of his office, someone suddenly caught her hand from behind.

She turned — it was Barshan.

He stood frozen, staring at her — completely awestruck.

Ohona laughed. “Close your mouth, Romeo, before bacteria get in!”

Barshan pulled up Megh’s saree pallu and gently draped it over her head like a veil.

“Cover your face,” he whispered, “or my own eyes will cast a spell on you.”

Megh giggled. “So you’re saying I look darker today — that’s why you want me covered, right?”

Barshan frowned. “Why do you always read too much into everything?”

Before Megh could reply, he walked off, pretending to be annoyed.

Ohona sighed dramatically. “Girl, he’s actually mad at you!”

Megh smiled knowingly. “He won’t stay mad for more than ten minutes. You’ll see, he’ll come right back. He loves me too much.”

Ohona squeezed her hand. “And you? You love him just as much.”

Megh looked down at the ring on her finger — the one Barshan had given her.

“I don’t think I could ever explain how much I love him,” she said softly. “But yes — I love him more than I love myself.”

Ohona smiled. “May Allah keep this love alive forever. May nothing ever come between you two.”

---

Just then, a black car stopped at the campus gate. The students assigned to welcome the guests straightened up, holding baskets of flower petals.

The driver stepped out and opened the door. The Dean stepped forward to greet the guest.

When the man emerged, everyone froze. The girls holding petals forgot to throw them. The air itself seemed to pause.

The Dean cleared his throat loudly, jolting them back to reality.

The man walked beside him, tall, elegant, his presence commanding. It was as if a prince from a fairy tale had stepped into the real world — too perfect to be human.

Ohona’s mouth fell open. Megh nudged her chin playfully. “Close your mouth, idiot, or all the dust and bacteria will fly right in.”

Ohona whispered breathlessly, “Megh… what is this creature? He looks like he walked straight out of a dream! Those eyes, those lips—oh my God! I feel like eating him alive! Like a ripe cherry!”

Megh rolled her eyes. “You’re such a man-eater. Didn’t know that before!”

“Oh please,” Ohona muttered. “That man is pure dessert. I bet he even smells like strawberries.”

Megh tugged her hair. “Get a grip! He’s human, not fruit! Now move before the Dean turns us into dust.”

But Ohona wasn’t done. “Have you ever seen someone this beautiful in real life? Someone should run a study — he might not even be human. Maybe an alien!”

Megh folded her arms. “He’s handsome, yes. But not more than my Barshan. My Barshan is the most beautiful soul on earth — not just in face, but in heart.”

---

The hall was decorated magnificently for their medical college’s Golden Jubilee Celebration.

Famous doctors and surgeons from home and abroad were in attendance.

The Dean began the program with a floral welcome. Megh, Ohona, Tisha, Arfa, Fahad, and Khalid were each assigned to greet the guests.

As Megh stepped forward, she paused — she was supposed to pin the badge on that man.

She heard the Dean’s introduction:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Kim Tae Ha, Korea’s most successful heart surgeon and our Chief Guest for today’s ceremony. We are truly honored by his presence.”

Megh hadn’t even looked at him properly yet. Sitting there, he looked almost robotic — expressionless, motionless, as if he were carved from marble.

Maybe he’s actually a robot, she thought. With technology these days, it’s possible. Just like Sophia — the world’s first AI robot who even made jokes about Dhaka traffic!

Lost in thought, Megh accidentally pricked Mr. Kim’s chest with the pin while attaching his badge. But he didn’t flinch — not even a twitch.

Startled, she fumbled and pricked her own finger instead. A drop of blood appeared.

She instinctively put her finger to her lips — and caught a faint whiff of his cologne.

It was… strange. Not sweet, not woody — something otherworldly.

What kind of perfume is this? she wondered, wrinkling her nose.

Ohona leaned in, whispering dreamily, “I swear I’m going to die — what perfume is that?! I could breathe it all day!”

Megh glared. “You like this smell? My God, Ohona, your sense of smell must be broken!”

[ i don't know who is like or read part 1, but I really really thank you. because of your 1 like i post part-2 . once again thank you]

“Hey Megh, there you are! The Dean’s been looking for you everywhere.”

Fahad hurried over, slightly out of breath, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

“And by the way, you were incredible today. Seriously — like a professional anchor! Everyone’s praising your hosting.”

Megh lowered her head with a shy smile. The ceremony had ended a while ago, but her heart felt heavy. Throughout the entire function, she’d been searching for one person — Barshan.

But he hadn’t shown up.

Now she stood alone in the quiet corridor, waiting — hoping he’d appear.

But the silence stretched on.

Maybe he’s still angry, she thought bitterly.

Her mind replayed the argument. The way she’d spoken to him — it wasn’t right.

She knew Barshan hated when she belittled herself.

He would always tell her, “No matter how you see yourself, to me you’re my ‘Mayaboti.’ Never say things that make me doubt your faith in my love. It hurts me — as if you think my love is pity.”

She had promised never to say such things again.

And yet… she had.

Maybe that’s why he was angry enough to disappear.

Lost in thought, Megh walked down the corridor — and suddenly crashed hard into someone.

The impact jolted her. Her temper, already frayed, snapped.

“Can’t you see where you’re going?!” she burst out. “Do you walk with your eyes on your forehead? What if I’d fallen — would that make your day better? Honestly, where do people like you even come from!”

But the moment she looked up, her breath caught —

It was Mr. Kim Tae Ha.

Everyone around them froze, eyes wide in disbelief. Megh’s mouth went dry.

“I–I’m sorry, sir,” she stammered, voice trembling. “It was my fault. I didn’t see—”

Mr. Kim turned to the man beside him and asked calmly, “What is she saying?”

The assistant translated quickly, “Sir, she’s apologizing for bumping into you.”

Mr. Kim frowned slightly. “Does it really take that many words to say sorry in Bengali?”

His assistant tried not to laugh. “Yes, sir… apparently it does.”

At that moment, Ohona appeared, searching for Megh — only to find her standing face-to-face with Mr. Kim himself.

Her jaw dropped. Her heart skipped a beat.

For a moment, she forgot why she’d even come. She just stood there, staring, completely dazed.

Mr. Kim walked past them without a word, but Ohona remained frozen, eyes following his retreating figure.

Megh tugged her hair sharply. “Stop staring like a lovesick fool. He’s gone — close your mouth!”

Ohona blinked, sighed dreamily, and whispered, “Even from behind… he’s perfection! Girl, if I could just get that man—”

“Enough!” Megh clamped a hand over her mouth. “For heaven’s sake, control yourself! What kind of language is that? You’re a medical student! People will think we’ve lost our minds!”

Ohona rolled her eyes. “Oh, spare me your lectures, Miss Morality. Just because we’re med students doesn’t mean we’re aliens! And for the record — I really like Mr. Kim.”

She looked upward dramatically. “Oh Allah, if You brought him into my life, I’d thank You every single day.”

Megh looked at her gently. “We often ask God for many things, Ohona, but He doesn’t always give us what we want. Do you know why? Because He already knows what’s good for us. He gives only what will bring us peace — not destruction. So never lose hope if you don’t get what you ask for.”

She smiled faintly. “Always be grateful. No matter how tough life feels, there are people who’d trade everything just to live as we do.”

Ohona groaned dramatically and touched Megh’s forehead. “Enough, wise mother! Keep your philosophy for tomorrow. Let’s just go home before night falls.”

Megh smiled. “You go ahead. I’ll talk to the Dean first — don’t wait for me. I’ll go home with Barshan.”

Ohona frowned. “But he’s not even here! It’s already dark, Megh — just come with me. I don’t want you walking alone.”

Megh chuckled softly, patting her cheek. “My sweet grandma, don’t worry. Your house is farther away — go with Fahad.”

Ohona followed her gaze — Fahad was waiting by the gate.

“There’s your hero!” Megh teased.

“Oh please,” Ohona smirked. “He’s not a hero — he’s the villain standing between me and Mr. Kim’s love story!”

They both burst out laughing.

Later, Megh stood quietly before the Dean’s desk. He looked stern, his brows furrowed.

“Where was your mind today, Megh?” he demanded. “Do you realize what you did? While putting the badge on Mr. Kim, you looked completely distracted. Luckily, he didn’t react.”

Megh lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”

His tone softened. “You’re a brilliant girl, Megh. I want to see you become a great doctor someday. But brilliance means nothing without discipline. Learn to stay focused.”

Megh nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll remember that.”

The Dean smiled faintly and handed her a fountain pen. “This is for you. You did well overall.”

Then his voice grew thoughtful. “And Megh — humility is good, but not in excess. Don’t always walk with your head down. Some people might mistake your gentleness for weakness. Learn when to bow — and when to hold your head high.”

His words lingered as Megh walked out into the night.

Hours passed. The campus was empty. Megh stood by the gate, waiting… still no sign of Barshan.

The night breeze carried an eerie chill. Her phone was dead.

Regret filled her chest. If only I’d gone with Ohona…

Finally, she hailed a taxi. The driver looked rough, his gaze unnervingly sharp.

Something felt off.

Moments later, the car stopped abruptly in the middle of the highway.

“Engine problem, madam,” the driver muttered, stepping out.

But Megh wasn’t fooled.

Before he could turn, she grabbed the wrench beside her seat and swung it hard — it hit his head with a dull thud. He collapsed instantly.

Without looking back, she ran.

Branches scratched her arms, her breath came in gasps — but she didn’t dare stop.

Not now. If she stopped, she’d die.

Her legs burned, lungs screamed — until she saw a car ahead, and a man fighting off several attackers.

Without thinking, she screamed, “Don’t you dare come any closer! Step forward and you’ll regret it!”

The thug laughed. “Oh really? And what exactly will you do?”

Before he could finish, Megh pulled out her pepper spray and blasted it straight into his face. He shrieked.

In seconds, she sprayed everyone — chaos erupted.

Grabbing the injured man’s hand, she yelled, “Run!”

They sprinted together through the dark, stumbling into the woods.

It wasn’t until she flicked her lighter that she saw his face —

Mr. Kim Tae Ha.

Her stomach dropped. “Oh my God—”

He blinked painfully, still blinded by the spray. Megh quickly poured water over his eyes, murmuring apologies.

The light of a torch flickered nearby — the thugs were searching.

Kim grabbed her hand urgently, gesturing to hide.

But she froze — until suddenly he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Before she could scream, he kissed her — a desperate attempt to silence her cry.

Her eyes widened in shock.

They ducked behind a dense bush.

Megh’s pulse raced; she could feel his heartbeat against hers.

When the danger finally passed, Kim whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Megh glared, furious but silent — because what was the point? He barely understood Bengali.

When he finally asked, “Why did you spray me?” she snapped, “Ungrateful man! I saved your life — and you’re complaining about your eyes?!”

Then muttered in Bengali, “That’s why they say never help two-legged creatures like him!”

Kim looked confused. “What did you say?”

Megh forced a smile. “Nothing, sir. Just… curious why those men wanted to kill you.”

He sighed. “I have no idea. I just arrived in this country today.”

Megh frowned. “No one attacks without reason. There’s something behind this.”

She noticed the bruises on his arms and legs. “Here, take this painkiller.”

He blinked. “Do you carry an entire pharmacy in that bag?”

Megh laughed softly. “In our country, women have to carry everything — for safety.”

By dawn, the forest was filled with birdsong.

When Megh awoke, Mr. Kim was gone. Panic gripped her chest — until he returned, standing before her.

He extended his hand. “I owe you my life, Megh. Let me at least take you home.”

She hesitated. “It’s okay, sir. I can manage.”

But he insisted, and eventually she agreed.

When they reached her house, Megh froze — the yard was crowded with people.

Her aunt, Dilara Begum, stood at the door, face twisted in fury.

“Don’t you dare set foot in this house!” she screamed. “You spent the night God knows where — now come back pretending to be innocent? You shameless girl! There’s no place for you here!”

The words hit Megh like knives.

Mr. Kim watched silently, his jaw tightening — but said nothing.

And Megh stood there, trembling, as the world she knew began to crumble around her.

🌙 To be continued…

[okay, so English is not my first Language, please pardon any kind of mistake 🙏🏻

and thank for read my story🌷💜]