💀That Girl 💀
💀That Girl 💀
Date: October 27, 2020
By--DEEN SAYEEDIN
Mirza Ghalib and his wife Naila Ghalib, an expatriate couple, lived in a quiet town in Pennsylvania.They had three daughters—Saira, Aira, and little Yara.
Ghalib's younger brother lives in Australia with his family, and his parents are in a village in Bangladesh.
Despite spending years abroad, Ghalib's parents never wanted to come abroad.
To them, country means roots—a place where you can return and breathe a sigh of relief.
One day, Mirza Ghalib said to Naila,
"Naila, the girls have never seen our country. Maybe this time, I'll take them."
Naila smiled, "That's good, but they won't wake up so early!"
Ghalib smiled softly and said, "I'll handle it."
🔴The morning of the flight 🔴
It was 5:30 in the morning.
The house was awakened by Ghalib's voice.
"Saira, Ayra, Yara—get up, mom, the flight is at seven! Time is very short."
Ayra rolled over and said,
"Mom, five more minutes!"
Naila laughed and said,
"No, mom, not today. You wanted to wear a sari!"
Hearing this, Saira was surprised and sat up, "Really? I will wear it!"
Naila smiled and wrapped the sari around her shoulders.
Little Yara saw in amazement—elder sister looked like a princess in a sari.
"Apu, you look very beautiful," Yara said with fascinated eyes.
"Do you really think so?"
"Hmm!"
The house was instantly filled with laughter.
🔴Returning home🔴
The family reached Shahjalal International Airport on time. It was after one in the morning.
Then they set off for the village.
The car stopped at 3:30 in the morning—we had to walk the last mile, because there was no car available.
"Dad, how far is it to go to grandpa’s house?"
"A mile, mom,"Ghalib said with a soft smile.
"Don’t be afraid, dad is with you."
"I wasn't afraid!"—Saira said proudly.
Naila placed her hand on her daughter’s head and said,
"You are my brave daughter."
Little Yara said,
"I am brave too!"
Everyone laughed.
🔴The mystery of the night🔴
Suddenly they realized that they were walking on the wrong path.
The surroundings were filled with unfamiliar trees and unfamiliar sounds.
"Nayala, are we on the right path?"
"I don't understand…"
Just then—
A soft voice, something like a feminine laugh, came from somewhere.
"Did you hear?" Ghalib asked.
"Were you scared again?"Naila joked.
Suddenly, a light appeared—a young woman standing. She was no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old.
"You have come the wrong way," the girl said.
"Follow me. But… no questions."
They followed her silently.
They reached home before the call to prayer for dawn.
🔴Morning🔴
Grandparents, relatives, everyone was very happy.
The morning was filled with laughter, stories, and the smell of tea.
Ghalib took Naila to his uncle's room. As soon as they entered the room, their eyes fell on an old picture hanging on the wall.
Naila stopped.
Ghalib's face was pale.
In the picture—
the girl who had shown them the way home in the darkness of the night.
Naila's eyes rolled, she collapsed on the floor.
The morning light was pouring in through the crack in the window.
In the picture on the wall, the girl's lips have a slight smile—as if she is still guarding the journey of that expatriate family.
©DEEN SAYEEDIN