- Grandpa, don't arrange my marriage — you can come and see our small child whenever you want. (Me)
- If only it could be so, I would have married you off right away. But what evil fate. It cannot be. (Grandpa)
- Cannot be? Why not? (Me)
- I don't want to hear any of that. You go — I need to speak with Hridi. (Grandpa)
- Go on, Hridi — I'm talking with Grandpa. (Hridi)
- Okay, I'll have a snack and go to the riverbank to draw. (Me)
:- Okay, I'm going there too. (Hridi)
… I again went to the riverbank after having my snack. I don't know why, but the river was pulling me towards itself. It was as if it was calling me inside the water, but I was too frightened to go alone. I again started that drawing. When I finished, I sat looking at the picture. Once more, it was that water-nymph — a face I couldn't quite capture. It looked over its shoulder. It appeared to be calling to me from inside the picture. I had the feeling that I could step right into it. My arms and legs became paralyzed. It was as if someone had seized me tightly from behind.
- Hello Hridu. Hridu. How long have I been calling? You're just staring at the picture — what are you thinking? (Hridi)
:- Where did you call from? I didn't hear you at all. (Me)
:- Are you kidding? Okay, never mind. I'm sitting here. Just draw one for me. (Hridi)
:- I cannot do it for free. (Me)
- You sit daily here and draw two sketches, and those you distribute for free. But providing me with one is such an issue. (Hridi)
:- Hmm… so you get it then. (Me)
:- You devil. Alright, you don't have to give it. (Hridi)
:- Okay, I won't give it. (Me)
:- Brother, please. I've promised my friend I'll show her a lovely sketch—mine. (Hridi)
- I can do it, but it'll be 500 taka. (Me)
- There are plenty of artists who are better than you. You'd do it for 100. And you're my brother, so you'll do it for 500. (Hridi)
- Hmm… okay, give it to me. Otherwise, go find someone else to draw it. (Me)
- Alright, my dear brother. I'll give you 500 as soon as I get home. Happy? (Hridi)
- Hmm… now I'm gonna get you in the mood and you'll just sit there. (Me)
- Okay. (Hridi)
… I got Hridi to sit in a good pose. After all, she's my little sister. I've made so many sketches of her that I've lost count. Every time, I did them free of cost. But this time I wasn't going to let that happen. I got her to sit like that for an hour.
- Hi, how much longer must I sit like this? I cannot tolerate it any longer. (Hridi)
- Five minutes more. (Me)
- Since when have you been saying five minutes? It is still not done. (Hridi)
- Hmm… here—look. Any boy who sees this photo will go crazy about you. (Me)
- Wow… how has my brother created such a good picture of me? (Hridi)
- No compliments—500 is pending. (Me)
- Hmm… I know. But what's this black thing behind me in the picture? (Hridi)
- Where? Let me see. (Me)
- This black something. There's nothing like that behind me. (Hridi)
- I don't know, I saw a black thing when I was drawing it. That's why I drew it. (Me)
- You stare so oddly sometimes I think your eyesight is ruined. (Hridi)
- I'll erase it. (Me)
- Don't remove it. (Hridi)
:- Why, does it bother you? Okay, let it be. (Me)
:- Okay. Here—your gift. Ummm— (Hridi kissed me on my forehead)
:- Why did you kiss me? Only my wife is allowed to give me such kisses. (Me)
:- Oh, you bride-obsessed monster. If you won't marry, then where will you get kisses from? Be thankful you got it from me. (Hridi)
- What? You mean you won't let me get married? (Me)
:- No, of course you'll get married—I'm just kidding. (Hridi)
Hridi was seeming very worried. I had never seen her like that.
:- Is everything alright with you? (Me)
:- Oh no… but promise me something. (Hridi)
:- Okay, tell me. (Me)
:- Hold my hand and sit with me for some time. (Hridi)
:- Alright, give me your hand. (Me)
… I took Hridi's hand and sat beside her. I had no clue what was wrong with her. She's not like this at all. So why was she acting like this today? Hridi rested her head on my lap.
:- Listen, Hridu, say something. (Hridi)
:- Yeah, go on. (Me)
:- Suppose at a point in life, we had to marry each other. Would you be able to accept that? (Hridi)
- What are you saying? (Me)
:- Don't say no, please. (Hridi)
:- Have you gone crazy? Why in the world would we marry each other? That would be a sin. (Me)
:- I'm not saying we would, but what if circumstances forced us to get married. Would you then accept me as your wife? (Hridi)
:- Look, I don't like these kinds of talks. If you keep saying such things, I would never speak to you again. (Me)
- Alright, say whatever you want. (Hridi)
- Hmm… (Me)
- Will you bathe here today? (Hridi)
- No way, I'm scared. (Me)
- But you bathed here yesterday without any fear. (Hridi)
- I did bathe here yesterday. (Me)
- Yes. Why can't you remember? You dived in and stayed underwater for a long time. My aunt and I were frightened. (Hridi)
- I just can't remember. (Me)
- Okay, don't try so hard to remember. Let me sleep for sometime. (Hridi)
:- Okay, I'll stroke your hair. You sleep. (Me)
:- Hmm… (Hridi)
… What was wrong with her today? Why was she speaking such rubbish? She did not even know that I had bathed in this pool yesterday. And then she said about marrying each other. How could that be? She's my sister — my twin from the same mother. How could we get married? She must be mad. Maybe she's possessed.
I sat thinking. Maybe our grandmother said something to her. Why would she talk about such personal matters and not tell me? I just don't feel like coming to this place anymore. I will never come to this village again. I lose my temper over everything here; so many weird things happen.
While I was thinking that, I saw the tail of a large fish appear above the river and then go under again. How was that possible? Could there be such a huge fish in the river? Yes, I really saw a large fish tail. I was so excited. Hridi and I are fond of fish. If I tell Mami, maybe she can come and catch it.
Hridi slept on my lap. I never liked being alone. Suddenly, I smelled a fragrance around me. The smell seemed to be calling me, pulling me towards it. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Hridi slept on my lap, whose hand could it be?
The hand was so familiar, one I'd known forever. I looked back but there was no one. Still, I felt someone standing beside me. I couldn't touch or see them. But my heart told me they could see me, just looking, smiling gently. But why? Why would it feel that way?
At that moment Hridi woke up. She looked at me and saw me looking around.
:- Hridu. (Hridi)
- Yes… hummmm. (Me)
- What are you looking for? (Hridi)
- Where? Nothing. When did you wake up? (Me)
- Just now. Tell me, what are you looking for? (Hridi)
- I felt someone sitting beside me. They were there but couldn't see anyone. (Hridi)
- Oh, it's nothing. Let's go, it's late. (Me)
- Hummm, okay. (Hridi)
… Both of us went back to Grandpa's house. I was walking aimlessly; Hridi was holding my hand. After reaching home, I saw Hridi speaking to Baba.
:- Hridoy's mother, we have to depart today itself. (Father)
:- Yes, you're right. We have to go back this afternoon. (Mother)
:- What's wrong? Why are you talking of going away? (Mami)
:- Marks have appeared on Hridoy. He can't stay here any longer. (Father)
- Oh, okay then. It's best to go. He shouldn't be here. (Mother)
- What's wrong? Why are we going? What signs appeared on me? (Me)
- Oh, nothing. Never mind. (Mother)
- Why are we going then? I won't go today. I will go tomorrow morning. I will stay here tonight. (I did not want to say that; actually, I did not want to stay either. Never mind, I had said it. What difference did a night make?)
- Alright then, just for tonight. We will leave for the city early in the morning. (Father)
… I happily went up to my room upstairs. The whole day passed talking to Hridi and playing Ludo. Hridi did not leave me for a moment the whole day. I don't know what is happening, but I am feeling… strange. That night Hridi and I shared a bed. The day had passed in a kind of weird haze.
I woke up with a start. Hridi had told me not to venture out alone if I happened to wake up during the middle of the night. Like someone was summoning her. The balcony was full of so much light. What could be the reason for so much light at this hour? I got up and stepped out. It was such a beautiful moonlit night; everything was illuminated by the moon's light.
No sooner had I stepped out on the balcony than noises began to reach my ears. I scented something—but nothing familiar. A voice seemed to ring in my ear, saying, "Come to me. I will not leave you."
There was a flash of light on the balcony. Something was forming in front of my eyes. Am I dreaming? What a beautiful girl—no, she is not a girl. She is a fairy. Yes, a sky fairy, the one with two wings. I could not believe that I was really seeing a sky fairy. She was unbelievably beautiful—there would not be anyone more beautiful even if you searched the entire world.
I was enchanted by the fairy; I was drawn to her and could not look away from her. Yet, there was an agitated movement inside me. My heart longed for that known scent again. The fairy began to speak as if sensing my thoughts.
Author: Hridoy Bappy