Episode 3

Everyone sat gathered around Azmal Sahib's bed.

For years, he had been one of the most respected teachers in Kusumpur. A man known for his honesty, discipline, and kindness.

He had two children.

His daughter, Naima, was married and had a sweet little daughter of her own.

His son, Wasek Anas, was in the final year of his Honors degree.

The moment Wasek heard about his father's illness, he rushed home from the city.

What he hadn't expected was the news waiting for him.

As soon as he arrived, his brother-in-law Shamim informed him about the marriage proposal.

Wasek stared at him in disbelief.

"A marriage? Right now?"

His voice rose slightly.

"Father is seriously ill. We should be focusing on him, not arranging weddings. My final exams are coming up. I can't deal with all of this."

He ran a hand through his hair.

"Please explain it to him. Maybe he'll listen to you."

Without waiting for a response, Wasek left the room.

---

That night, sleep refused to come.

He lay awake staring at the ceiling.

His mother, Shahara Begum, had passed away when he was only ten years old.

Even after all these years, the loss still lingered.

She had loved him deeply.

After her death, Azmal Sahib devoted himself entirely to raising his son and daughter.

Whatever they needed, whatever they dreamed of, he tried his best to provide it.

Wasek owed everything to his father.

That was what made the decision so difficult.

Should he follow his own plans?

Or fulfill the wish of the man who had sacrificed everything for him?

---

Near midnight, Naima found him standing alone on the veranda.

Lost in thought.

She walked beside him and spoke softly.

"You're upset."

Wasek gave a small laugh.

"Is it that obvious?"

"To me, yes."

She leaned against the railing.

"I know you have dreams. You've always wanted to become a teacher like Baba."

Wasek remained silent.

"Your studies are almost finished."

Naima looked toward the dark courtyard.

"And then this happened."

Neither of them needed to say the word.

Cancer.

It hung between them like a shadow.

"Baba wants to see his son's bride before..." She couldn't finish the sentence.

Wasek lowered his eyes.

Naima placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If something happens to him, will you be able to forgive yourself?"

The question struck deeper than anything else.

"Just think about it."

After a moment, she smiled faintly.

"And get some sleep. Tomorrow you're visiting the girl's house with Shamim."

---

By the end of the night, Wasek had made his decision.

He would fulfill his father's wish.

---

Meanwhile, inside the house, Naima helped feed Azmal Sahib before putting her daughter to bed.

Afterward, she instructed Rahima to rest.

"If we need anything, we'll call you."

Rahima nodded.

She had worked in the household for years.

In fact, she had come to the house one year before Shahara Begum's death.

Since then, she had become part of the family.

Kind, dependable, and endlessly caring.

---

The next morning, the road from Kadamtali to Kusumpur felt surprisingly short.

Within an hour, Wasek and Shamim arrived at Amjad Hossain's home.

The entire house was buzzing with activity.

Rasheda Begum had been working since dawn.

Cooking.

Cleaning.

Preparing.

Welcoming guests.

There wasn't a moment to sit down.

Asha had finished her chores early and was sitting quietly in her room.

Unlike every other day, Rini hadn't gone to school.

After all, her sister's marriage was being discussed.

To her, that was far more exciting than classes.

She spent the entire morning running around the house.

Suddenly, Rasheda Begum appeared at the doorway.

"Rini, tell your sister to get ready. They've arrived."

Then she disappeared again.

The moment the words reached her ears, Asha's heart began pounding.

Faster.

And faster.

A strange nervousness spread through her body.

She couldn't explain it.

Rini wrapped her arms around her from behind.

"Appa..."

Asha forced a small smile.

---

Inside the sitting room, Wasek sat beside Shamim.

He wore a maroon panjabi with black pajamas.

His expression remained calm, almost detached.

Truthfully, he had come more out of duty than desire.

A few minutes later, Asha entered the room.

Her cousin Mukti accompanied her.

A light veil covered her head.

"Come, sit," Shamim said warmly.

Asha obeyed.

Wasek kept his eyes lowered.

Trying not to make things more uncomfortable than they already were.

Shamim smiled.

"So, what's your name?"

Asha answered quietly.

"Asha. Miratul Asha."

"And what do you study?"

"I'm in my first year of college."

"How many siblings do you have?"

"We are two sisters."

Shamim nodded approvingly.

---

Asha looked beautiful.

Her long hair fell nearly to her waist beneath the veil.

Strands repeatedly slipped across her face.

Every few moments, she brushed them away with her left hand.

Simple.

Natural.

Unpretentious.

Shamim found himself liking her immediately.

Beside him, however, Wasek remained silent.

He had always been reserved around women.

Unless necessary, he rarely spoke.

Finally, Shamim stood.

Looking toward Mukti, he smiled.

"Let's give them a few minutes."

Mukti nodded.

The two quietly left the room.

---

The moment they were alone, Asha's anxiety doubled.

Her palms grew sweaty.

Her hands trembled slightly.

She had never sat alone with an unfamiliar man before.

Not like this.

Not in a closed room.

Not knowing he might soon become her husband.

Silence filled the space.

One minute passed.

Then another.

Finally, Wasek spoke.

"My name is Wasek Anas."

His voice was calm.

"I'm in the final year of my Honors degree."

He paused.

Then looked directly at her for the first time.

"Do you agree with this marriage?"

Asha froze.

The question was simple.

Yet answering it felt impossible.

She thought about her father.

His trust.

His love.

His decisions.

After a long silence, she finally replied.

"Whatever my father chooses is for my good."

Her voice barely rose above a whisper.

"I have nothing else to say."

Wasek studied her expression for a moment.

Then nodded.

"I understand."

He stood up.

"You may go now."

Asha quickly left the room.

The moment she crossed the doorway, she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

---

Later, Wasek and Shamim finalized the wedding arrangements with Amjad Hossain.

Everything was set.

The marriage would take place that very night.

And with each passing hour, two strangers moved one step closer to a future neither of them had planned.

To be continued...

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