Part-1
— I told you, I won't marry you. Then why are you bothering me again and again? Don't you have any other work? How can I make you understand that I can't stand your presence at all? I hate you. I just hate you, Mr. Afran. It makes me feel disgusted to even look at boys like you. Why don't you understand?
Saying these words, Arya quickly moved forward. Afran stood there for a while, shocked. How could someone show such a rivalry with someone like her? Where did this girl get so much courage? She left me by telling me off like that? She knows how to take revenge for this, she knows very well.
Flashback
About four years ago...
Our village is called Kusumpur—a small village. My family lives here. My father, Khalil Chowdhury, is a farmer. But don't think that he doesn't know how to study. Both my father and my uncle have completed their masters. However, my uncle had moved to the city for business reasons. Their big house is there, a palace in fact. We have another brick and stone house in the country, but it has been locked for many years. That house has been empty for about eight or nine years since my uncle first transferred to Dhaka.
When my uncle left the country, his wife and two sons went with him. But my memory is hazy—I was very young then, maybe six or seven years old.
Now I need to introduce myself. I am Arya Noor Arpita Chowdhury. Although I have the surname 'Chowdhuri' at the end of my name, I try to use it less. Because whenever I hear this name, I remember that man's face.
Yes, I am talking about Afran Chowdhury, the eldest son of my great uncle. He is a notorious mafia. People are killed every day, and it makes headlines. Because of him, our 'Chowdhuri house' would have become a disgrace, if my father had not maintained it with his honesty and hard work.
Our family is still respected for my father's simplicity. Otherwise, we would have been called 'mafia descendants'!
I am now in ninth grade. I study in our village school. My uncle has told me several times to go to the city to study, but am I crazy? Will I go to the house where that man lives?
My younger sister, Chhaya. She is now around seven. We are very good friends, we don't even quarrel. She speaks so sweetly, is so demanding that you can't get angry with her. How can a younger sister who is so cute have any quarrels?
My mother, Rahima Begum, is the backbone of the whole family. She takes care of any problem before it happens.
Everyone in the village knows our family. Our house stands out among the other houses around, because it is made of bricks and stones.
______________
Present time...
Mom gave me some strange news as soon as I returned from school.
— Tomorrow your uncle will come to take you to the city!
I was surprised. What should I do when I go to that house? What is wrong with me? I told him to his face—
— I can't, mother!
Rahima Begum scolded me and said—
— Why can't I? Do I want you to do something bad? It would be better if you went to the city and studied, that's why I'm saying that.
— Mother, we know that uncle is a very good person. But his son? I can't stay in that mafia boss's house!
— Did I tell you to go and visit Afran? Do you know that there are no girls or people in that house? Your aunt died a long time ago. Bhaijaan lives alone, he sees you as his own daughter. Have you forgotten how much Bhaijaan did for you when you were a child?
I got angry and said,
— I'm telling you because I know, that house is not safe for me, mother! You can forget, but I can't!
Before I could finish speaking, father entered the house.
— Did I ask you to take your permission? Stop arguing! If you can't listen to me, then make your own arrangements!
Saying this, father went to his room. Mother went to say something, but seeing father's serious face, he stopped.
Younger sister Chhaya held mother's hand and said,
— Mother, if sister leaves, how will I be alone?
Rahima Begum said affectionately—
— I am here, play with mother! But your uncle is alone! He doesn't have a daughter!
Chhaya thought for a while and shook her head and said,
— Hmm, uncle is in a lot of trouble. Okay, if sister leaves, I will be with you!
Rahima smiled..
— This is my intelligent daughter!
Arya stomped her feet in anger and went to her room. She went inside, closed the door and started wiping her eyes.
No one wants to understand me. I know that brother will beat me if he sees me.
But no one knows this. Even though I lied to everyone that day, I know why I'm afraid of Bhaiya. That day, Bhaiya just wanted to scare me, but I...
Ariya can't think anymore. Tears are continuously flowing from her eyes.
To be continued...