Keya is sitting on a bench. To her right, there’s a guy with a long beard and mustache. The guy is wearing a mustard-colored pant and a blue full-sleeved shirt. He looks like a university student. The guy has curly hair. Keya’s open hair is flying and keeps getting into the guy’s eyes and face. The girl’s hair has a very intoxicating scent! The wind is constantly changing the beautiful view of the park.
Keya loved orchids very much, and her boyfriend used to bring her one every day. But today, he didn’t. So, Keya sat sulking, looking away. Her boyfriend remained silent too, avoiding her in a way. Kaya was surprised. Why was her usually cheerful boyfriend so quiet? She wanted to know. So, Keya broke her silent protest. She didn’t want her boyfriend to realize that she was upset too, because Keya knew that they shouldn’t be angry together. And boys don’t get upset easily! When they do, there must be a reason. Keya glanced at her boyfriend. Nope! He still looked serious.
“Abir, what’s wrong?” The boy remained silent, just staring. Keya asked again, “Tell me?” At Keya’s pleading request, the boy couldn’t remain silent anymore. Tears started rolling down his cheeks. Strange, boys cry too? But no, Keya didn’t think of it as a feeling. Seeing her boyfriend sobbing, Keya’s eyes also started to water. She said again, “Please don’t be quiet! Tell me what happened?
– ‘Nothing!’ the boy uttered in a gurgling voice and cried bitterly, ‘I will not live again.’ Forgive me! I know why I miss death so much. Maybe I will embrace death very soon…
So, I don’t want to involve you anymore in my uncertain life. What I’ve come to say today is, ‘Forget me forever!’ I don’t want your life to be ruined. Instead, start your life anew. Consider all the dreams you’ve woven around me as false dreams. Please, Keya! From now on, don’t miss me anymore, I beg you! But Keya couldn’t accept the boy’s words. She said, “No, Abir, that won’t do. I didn’t love you just for your happiness. I can share your sorrows too.
The boy didn’t want to keep the girl any longer. He said, ‘Don’t come here from tomorrow. Go back to your house.’ A few days later, Keya received news that the boy had fallen seriously ill and had died from COVID-19. As soon as she heard the news, Keya felt like the sky had collapsed on her head. She couldn’t believe anything anymore. She couldn’t fathom why the boy had so casually asked her to forget him. Keya stared blankly at the ground. She felt as if the boy had selfishly left her alone.
One day, Keya suddenly went missing. No trace of her could be found anywhere in the entire area. Her parents, dressed in a frenzy, searched for her everywhere. They asked everyone they met about Keya. One person said they saw Keya walking in that direction. Another said they saw Keya going towards that deserted graveyard. Yet another person said they saw Keya walking by the river that evening…
