Episode 2

Evening settled over the village.

After performing ablution, Asha and Rini went to pray Maghrib while Rasheda Begum hurried to gather the ducks and chickens before darkness completely covered the yard.

A few moments later, Amjad Hossain stepped through the gate carrying a large box of sweets.

"Where is everyone?" he called out excitedly. "I have wonderful news!"

Rasheda Begum quickly approached him, wiping her face with the edge of her saree.

"Where have you been all day? Did you even eat anything? What's happened? Why are you so happy?"

Amjad waved off her questions.

"Forget all that. Take these sweets inside. I have very good news to share. First, let's pray."

His tone left no room for argument.

Prayer was never optional in their household.

Amjad Hossain was strict about that.

Rini was only eleven years old and studied in fifth grade, yet he had already instructed Asha to help her develop the habit of praying regularly.

Their family lived a simple but comfortable life. They owned farmland, had enough food on their table, and shared a bond built on love and respect.

After prayer, everyone gathered inside.

Asha sat at her desk studying while Rini wandered around the room.

Finally, Rasheda Begum looked at her husband.

"Now tell me. What's this good news?"

Amjad cleared his throat.

"I've arranged Asha's marriage."

The words hung heavily in the air.

Rasheda Begum froze.

"Marriage?"

"Yes."

He nodded confidently.

"You know Asha's teacher? The one who's seriously ill? His only son. The proposal came this morning after Fajr prayer. The Imam spoke to me. The teacher wishes to see his son married before Allah calls him back. Apparently, he has liked Asha for quite some time."

He paused before continuing.

"I spent the entire day discussing everything. They insisted. I couldn't refuse."

Rasheda Begum remained silent.

"Do you trust my decision?" Amjad asked softly.

She lowered her eyes.

"Perhaps we should have taken more time. Marriage isn't a small matter."

Then she sighed.

"But you've never wished anything bad for our daughter. I trust you."

Relief washed over Amjad's face.

Quietly, he whispered,

"Alhamdulillah."

---

Rini had overheard enough.

Without wasting a second, she rushed into Asha's room.

"Appa!"

Asha looked up from her books.

"What happened? Why are you running?"

Rini hesitated.

Then blurted out,

"Your marriage! Abba arranged your marriage with one of your teacher's sons!"

Asha stared at her.

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"Stop talking nonsense."

"I'm serious!"

Asha slowly stood up.

"No."

The single word escaped her lips like a prayer.

No.

This couldn't be happening.

Her dreams flashed through her mind one after another.

She wanted to finish college.

Continue her studies.

Build a career.

Support her parents.

Stand beside them like a son.

Give them everything they had sacrificed for her.

Marriage had never been part of her plans.

Not now.

Not this soon.

---

That night, dinner was ready.

Amjad had already eaten earlier after spending the entire day away from home.

Rasheda Begum called repeatedly for her daughters.

Neither answered.

Concerned, she walked into their room.

Asha lay beneath her quilt, her shoulders trembling.

Beside her sat Rini.

The moment Rasheda Begum entered, her eyes landed on her younger daughter.

A single look was enough.

Rini lowered her head.

The truth was obvious.

She had told Asha everything.

Rasheda Begum sat beside her eldest daughter and gently pulled the quilt away.

"Asha."

The moment she heard her mother's voice, Asha broke.

She threw her arms around her mother and burst into tears.

Rasheda Begum's chest tightened painfully.

She had never seen her daughter cry like this before.

Never.

"My child..."

She stroked Asha's hair.

"Don't cry like this."

Asha only cried harder.

"This is life for girls, Asha. One day we leave one home and build another. We make room in our hearts for new people while carrying our old love with us."

Her own eyes became moist.

"We're still here. You're not losing us."

But Asha couldn't stop.

She clung to her mother as if letting go would change everything.

Finally, Rasheda Begum forced a smile.

"Enough tears. I'll bring dinner. Tonight, I'll feed both of my daughters with my own hands."

Rini instantly brightened.

Their mother feeding them like children was rare.

Yet another thought filled her heart with excitement.

Asha was getting married.

She would have a brother-in-law.

The idea made her secretly smile.

---

Later that night, after feeding both girls and cleaning up, Rasheda Begum returned to the room one final time.

Asha had already crawled back beneath her blanket.

Before leaving, her mother stopped at the doorway.

"The groom and his brother-in-law will visit tomorrow morning."

Asha looked up.

Rasheda Begum continued quietly.

"And the wedding will take place tomorrow night."

The room became silent.

"They don't want a ceremony right now because of the teacher's illness."

Then she left.

---

Rini soon fell onto her pillow.

Normally, she disliked being touched while sleeping.

Even the slightest contact would make her uncomfortable.

But tonight was different.

Asha wrapped both arms tightly around her younger sister.

As if she was afraid of losing her.

How would she sleep without Rini?

Who would listen to her stories?

Who would follow her everywhere?

Who would make impossible demands and expect miracles?

The thought made fresh tears gather in her eyes.

Asha had always been an obedient daughter.

She had never disobeyed her father.

Not once.

Whatever Amjad Hossain said, she accepted.

And she knew how much he loved her.

Deep down, she trusted him completely.

If he had chosen this path, perhaps he believed it was best for her.

Yet fear still lingered.

A new home.

Strangers.

An unfamiliar life.

How was she supposed to fit into it all overnight?

Tears continued rolling down her cheeks, turning her fair skin red.

Beside her, Rini quietly cried too.

Asha noticed.

She wiped her own eyes and gently stroked her sister's hair.

"Go to sleep, Rini."

But neither sister slept for a very long time.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***