.
mom of ml
Baba, I think this girl will be good for Khoka.”
grandpa of ml
“I also feel the same, Bouma. But only if your son likes her.”
mom of ml
Oh, he will definitely like her. Such a beautiful girl… If he doesn’t agree, I’ll tie him up and get him married. Didn’t Khoka say he would marry after winning the election? He gave you his word, Baba. And my son is a man of his word.”
Just as these words touched his ears, Arham Shikdar stepped into the house. He stopped right at the doorway, his tall frame stiff, his sharp eyes narrowing. Behind him stood Fahim, silently observing. Hearing Nilima and Azmal’s conversation, Fahim’s heart almost wanted to dance. After all, Arham’s marriage would mean his own delayed marriage would finally get a green light.
mom of ml
Ah, Khoka! You’re here. Why are you standing there? Come, come, see if you like the girl we’re talking about.”
arham(ml)
Ma, how many times have I told you? Don’t call me Khoka. Your son is 31 now. More than that—he is a Minister
mom of ml
Oh, the Minister has arrived. No matter what you say, I will still call you Khoka. To me, you will always be that little boy. To a mother, does a child ever grow old?”
arham(ml)
Is that so? Then why do you want to get your little Khoka married right now?”
His smirk carried a teasing bite. Nilima blinked, caught off guard—her son always had a way of trapping her in his words. But today she had sworn she wouldn’t lose. No matter what, she would get him married.
mom of ml
Khoka, no matter what you say today, you cannot trick me. You have to get married. Your younger cousins are already married, some even have children. And you—still unmarried. I don’t think you’ve ever even been in love. If you have someone in mind, tell me. Otherwise, you’ll marry the girl we choose
arham(ml)
I already have someone I like, Ma.”
The living room exploded.
Everyone turned in shock, staring wide-eyed at Arham. Could this man—this man who never even looked twice at women—say such a thing?
The Shikdar family had gathered to celebrate his victory. Nilima had also called them to discuss finding a bride for Arham. But his words had turned the room into a storm.
dad of ml
What’s her name, Arham? Tell us everything. We’ll take a marriage proposal to her family right away.”
arham(ml)
“I don’t know her name, Baba. I don’t know where she lives, what she does, or anything about her. I’ve only seen her eyes… those large, deer-like eyes. Eyes so enchanting, so dangerously beautiful. Eyes that words cannot describe. That’s all I can say about her. Now, if you can, take a proposal to her home. I’m going to my room. And I hope no one disturbs me.”
He turned sharply and walked away, his steps echoing with finality.
The room froze.
Relatives stared in disbelief. The man who never looked at a woman properly, the man who had rejected every idea of marriage till now—was describing a girl with such intensity?
grandpa of ml
Asad, find out who this girl is. Your son doesn’t speak like this without reason. If he’s seen something in her, then it’s worth paying attention. Otherwise, this doesn’t sound like the same boy who avoided marriage all these years. Did the hospital switch babies? Because my son is marriage-crazy, and yours refuses to marry!”
Asad Shikdar rubbed his forehead, exasperated. Nilima avoided everyone’s eyes and rushed to the kitchen with her sister-in-law Arifa Talukdar. Behind them, other women followed, hiding their embarrassed smiles.
niece of ml
“Nanu, why did you call Mama marriage-crazy?”
Everyone leaned in with curiosity. Asad desperately gestured his father to stop. But Azmal ignored him and began, eyes twinkling.
grandpa of ml
When your Mama was 23, he came to me and said he loved a girl and wanted to marry her. I refused—he wasn’t of age yet. But he stopped eating, stopped listening, acted crazy in love. Guess who the girl was? Your Mami Ma! In the end, I had no choice but to agree.”
The room erupted in laughter.
Asad wished the earth would swallow him whole. His father had just ruined his dignity in front of the entire family.
Even Fahim, who had been silent till now, couldn’t hold back. He burst into laughter.
dad of ml
Fahim, come here, sit with us.”
fahim(ml right hand-fl cousin)
No, Dadu. I’m fine here. Boss will call me any second.”
And right then, as if on cue, Arham’s voice called for him. Fahim bolted toward Arham’s room, running as if chased by fire. His dramatic escape made everyone laugh again.
Inside though, Fahim’s chest was heavy.
So Bhaiya described someone… He actually liked a girl?
But his heart clenched when a face came to his mind—his cousin, Shuvra. She loved Arham fiercely. She had confessed it to him, to everyone. And now? If Arham truly meant her… things could turn dangerous.
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