Untold

Unspoken

Bogadia! A small village in Noakhali a southeastern district of Bangladesh! Very quite, tranquil and peaceful. Located at the West side of Noakhali-Chittogong highway, about two miles south of the Sonaimuri Upozela headquarters. Fundamentally villages are occupied with a lot of Green trees, tin roofed bamboo walled houses. People know each other for years or even lifelong. Almost everyone born here, lived for life, some moved for new world, for higher education or jobs and did not come back again. The total area is less then 4 square miles, with approximately 2000 inhabitant.

Mamun was born in Bogadia. It was mid 80`s. When he was only 17. The world was not as like as it is now. Moreover, the whole environment and atmosphere of this rural Bangladeshi village were very different then modern and western world. People do not have much to deal with; there were no electricity, no gas, and no telephone systems at all. Still they were very happy! And pleased with the lifestyle they had.

There were no bills to pay, no car to buy gas or insurance, cellular phone was beyond imagination. No rent to pay, they live in their own house, grew their own food in their land, rice, vegetable, potato, beans, onion, tomato, coconut, mango, guava, pineapple, papaya, lime, banana etc. almost everything they grow by themselves. For protean they slaughter their home grown chicken, goat and cow, fresh ever animals, even healthier, more energetic then farm grown chicken, goat and cows, who grow up eating corps, corns, green grasses, worms, they run around the bushes, flies, enjoy sunlight, shower in the rain.

Mamun or his family never needed to go to gymnasium, in fact there was none, every movement of their life could be considered as physical exercise. No one had motor car, most of the people walk to their workplace, which is mostly their own paddy field. Some had simple pedaled bike. Every Friday and Tuesday people go to Sonaimuri, the nearest city and marketplace. Almost everyone would go to Sonaimuri on Fridays and Tuesdays; which makes them walk at least 4 mile for going and coming back. This is the time to buy and sell, to meet friends from neighboring villages, chitchat and hang out.

Mamun’s father is the head of local college, they call it principal. His father was known to almost everyone, Principal Mowlana Tofael Ahmad. Principal or Mowlana are not part of his name, they are basically his titles. Some call him Principal Sir, sir is one of the very dignitary title in British colonies, some other call him Hujur.

After finishing his education from Bogadia primary school Mamun enrolled to Sonaimuri High School. Primary school is similar to elementary school, starts from first grade to fifth grade. School is a small tin roofed building in the village, altogether 6 simple rooms, raw soil floor, and bamboo wood wall. Some rooms have to be shared for 2 classes. Sometime some classes are taken outside the building under the tree. No bathrooms, no washing room. Dining room? They can’t even think school can have a dining room.

For emergency natural call kids can run to nearest Bushes. In serious thirst they can use the pond water. Most people drink nothing other then pond water anyways. Education mostly means in those schools are learning how to read and write one or two books, learning mostly have to start with memorization. There were no school supplies other then one simple reading book and one math book in the whole elementary classes. No toys or even pictures to hang on the wall. The first grade students would learn only one Bangla Reading book and maybe one math book. Interestingly with all difficulties and challenges usually students in those les fortunate countries are better in math then many studetns of the western world.

There is a break 2-3 hours after class starts, you may call it lunch break, and they call it leisure. During this leisure some kids who may have a Bangladeshi dime (10 paisa) or quarter (25 paisa which is 0.0036 cents ) go to ferrywala, to buy a candy, many kids don’t have any penny to buy anything. They will have to wait to go home to eat something.

There were no Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. No age requirement followed for any classes. No one cares who is attending school or who is not. Some kids start helping their parent at the age of 6-7. A first grade student could be 7 or 9 or even maybe 10 years old. Some student maybe found who don’t even know their age or even birthday.

Mamun was 16 when he finished High School, very talented.. First class stand.. First class is considered as Straight A’s and stand means the topmost highest scored student in thousands of students of the entire board. Eloquent public speaker, articulate writer and ever smiley famous boy. He was nearly expert in all fields, a very admirable, amicable young man.

Mamun’s mother was a simple homemaker, a lovely and caring mother. Mushifiqa Begum. Mushfiqa is an Arabic word, means a compassionate women. Yes, she was the most compassionate woman, at least to her family, friends and neighbors. She never went to college, just a high school graduate, but the wisest and the most intelligent woman. Mamun always considered his mother was the best teacher in his entire life, the person he had the most influence in building his philosophy, his attitude, behavior.

His mother taught him literally everything, every simple small particles of human life. She taught him, how to brush his teeth, how to use bathroom, how to handle emotions, how to listen to others, how to patient and wait. She taught him to be funny when it supposed be and to be serious when it meant to be. Whenever Mamun see kids misbehaving or not acting properly he remembers his mother. He realizes the importance of mother who can spend time with her kids, a mother means everything; a mother can build a nation and an ideal human being.

Sometime Mamun smile to himself thinking how funny it could be, when some mothers are just busy earning more money to maintain their luxurious life, where as they never have time to pay attention to listen to their kids unspeakable words of subconscious or un conscious mind. Some mothers just emphasize her kids on making them a good moneymaker, doctor, rather ignoring to build them a natural happy human being, teaching them small part of life. Mamun think, a mother and only a mother can build human life.

Mamun’s father was a college professor and administrator, a very well known and respected religious scholar, a very friendly and social community leader. Every morning they would have some guest in their home. At least 5-6 people would visit Mamun’s dad have a cup of tea discussing their problems with Mamun’s dad, or talking about socio political issues of the country. The meeting place use to be in their Kachari Ghor, the external small house located at the external side of main house. Their house was like castle, a big 8-10 rooms, tin roofed with bamboo wood made decorated wall. As a tropical country Bangladesh, they didn’t need any heating or cooling system in their house. It was naturally air-conditioned. Not too hot or too cold. In the winter time they just need some worm cloths, blanket or quilt to sleep.

Mamun’s family had 5 servants, 2 men and 3 women. One male and one female servant was in house servant, who lives in the same house with Mamun’s family. Women servants usually help family works. Male servants would helps external and heavy works. Loading and unloading of heavy bags type jobs. All these servants were like their family members.

The female in house servant was very dear to Mamun’s family. Mamun’s parents call her “Halimar Ma”(Halima`s mom, because her daughters name is Halima). But Mamun or none of his brother or sister are allowed to call her same, they call her ‘Mami’ (maternal aunt). Calling an elderly person with his or her name is one of most disrespectful behavior in early Bengali culture. Usually elderly man are called Chacha (paternal uncle) and woman are Chachi (paternal aunt).

Halimar Ma was known to Mamun for his whole life, like one of his family members. He never felt Halimar Ma Mami was someone outsider. Halimar ma used to work Mamun`s house before Mamun was even born. Halimar ma is very dear to Mamun like someone his own relatives. The day Halimar ma mami passed away, Mamun cried so much as he has lost someone very special in his life.

Beside in house male servants another person used to help Mamun’s family, Mamun call him Mamu, (maternal uncle). His name was Shamsul Haq. Shamsul Haq Mamu, a dearest friend of Mamun’s family. Mamun knew Shamsul Haq Mamu his entire life, in all occasions, good time bad time. Anytime, Mamun’s family needed help, Shamsul Haq Mamu was there, even 2am in the morning, 4am. Either somebody is getting married, or engaged or someone dies or got sick, Shamsul Haq Mamu was always there. Mamun never found anyone that much dedicated to Mamun’s family then Shamsul Haq Mamu.

Mamun became a big name in the whole Union Parishod. A Union Parishod is consisting of 8-10 villages surrounding of 10-12 square miles. Almost everybody heard of his name as an extra ordinary student. He was such good in math that, as an 8th grader he helped his 10th grader cousins in math. Sometimes some senior students used to come to Mamun to ask academic questions.

He learned how to read write and speak Arabic and Urdu, the two foreign languages in his early childhood in the age of 13-14 which was beyond imagination in a rural Bangladeshi village, where there were almost no facilities to learn. At the age 16 he graduated from High school with first class stand, in Bangladesh then academic system first class is considered as straight A’s, and stand means a few topmost scored students in thousands in the whole divisional school board.

One day some elderly people came to Mamun’s home from neighboring village, to meet Mamun’s dad, they wanted to start a tutorial school for High School kids and wanted if Mamun could start tutoring some of their kids who were little younger then his age..

His father thought it might be a good idea. As he think Mamun needed to gain more confidence and be more responsible. Moreover, Mamun may not have many choices either as kids had less freedom in those days. In fact, he was little excited anyway. As it would give him more chance to lead as a he always liked to be in front.

Many of students were girls with a few boys…it was fun teaching girls!! Mamun always thought women are naturally created for love care and sweetness. Men are usually rough and tough. The most loved woman in his life was his mother and younger sister Nargis. Anytime if Mamun was in trouble by his mom, grounded or refused from food, or Mamun got mad at anyone and refused to take food, it was Nargis, who would come to Mamun with some food or sweets with her lovely words.. “Bhaiyya, Bhaiyya, Khaw, khaw!!!” Nargis would make him eat anyway.

As teenage kids of restricted and very conservative religious society boys and girls were not encouraged to meet or talk beyond class time. Most of the parent would not let their girls to hang out with boys or even have unnecessary conversation with any boy.

Within a few month class became very friendly environment. Mamun became a famous and admirable tutor. Everybody was impressed with his methods of teaching, friendliness and amicable personality.

Shahida, a 10th grade student, very brilliant, beautiful and smart girl in the whole school. She participates in important discussions; ask necessary questions, turn on homework on time with a beautiful and impressive handwriting, very articulate. While Mamun checks Shahida’s homework he would think of her face, how surprising similarity between a persons handwritings and face. He thought handwriting is the symbol of a people heart.

A few times Mamun thought of asking her a few personal questions, who she was? What was her background? Or about her parents, but he felt it may not be very appropriate for him to a shy Bengali girl.

He could make some excuse to make a conversation with her or even ask personal questions. But he thought it might be dishonesty to his subconscious mind. Sometime he laughs at himself thinking, how some people think themselves smart by fooling their own subconscious mind! He believes honesty starts from peoples own heart and mind. One of the most disliked things to him was the people make some excuse and thinks they are smart. He always believes being smart is easier then being honest, or compassionate and caring. Anybody can find an excuse to make them feel that they are smart, but most important things is to be sincere, honest and caring.

Mamun became a central topic of talk to all students, parents and community members. Shahida realize everyone talks good about Mamun, admiring his knowledge, articulation and friendliness. Whenever, anyone starts talking about Mamun, Shahida would pay full attention to the conversation apparently stay silent, as a shy Bengali girl she would outwardly show like she didn’t care at all. She wouldn’t make any comment unless she was asked.

Mamun’s praise reached to Ibrahim Shab the father of Shahida. One day he invited Mamun to visit his home. They lived in a house near the tutorial school. Shahida was the oldest child in the family with two brothers and one sister Azhar, Parveen and Mazhar .. Azhar was 14, Parveen was 12 and Mazhar was only 5..

Beside the tutorial classes Mamun and some of his friends made a volleyball sports team. They started playing volleyball at the field next to the tutorial school building. Shahida’s brother Azhar was one of the players and team member as well her younger brother Mazhar comes with Azhar as observer or to play his own with his friends.

Interestingly, beside everything in the world, Mamun became a model for Mazhar. Anything Mamun does, Mazhar would like to copy it. He would not allow any other hair cut style except it like Mamun’s hair cut, Mazhar calls it Mamun bhai style’. Everyone start laughing to know Mazhar’s funny words, 5 years old Mazhar wouldn’t care. He just wants to be like Mamun.

One day, Mamun got sick.. It was little bad. There was no 911 call system If they did have good hospital system Mamun may had to go to hospital. There is a hospital at Chowmuhoni, 15 miles away from their village. The facilities were very limited. Mamun had to stay home for a few days due to his sickness.

m used as living room. Mamun was just looking at study desk. In a certain point, something surprised him; he has found his name was written in a few places in the study room. Some of them were in an artistic way in nice paper and hanged on the wall, which may sound strange to some people..

Azharís math teacher Harun plays volleyball with the group. Whenever Harun goes to playground, Shahida ask him if he has met Mamun, One day Harun said in front of a few people, Mamun bhai, Shahida likes you, she always asks me about you. Mamun felt little nervous, he was not sure what does that suppose to mean and how he should have reacted. He just stayed silent.

Mamun got admission at Dhaka University the most prestigious University of

Bangladesh in International Relations department, one of the most prestigious departments the University.

It was a big news in whole school, Mamun is leaving. School had a farewell ceremony for Mamun, many people came to him saying they will miss him, a few people tear their eyes, but student did not show up to the farewell cermoney, Shahida did not come to school.

The day Mamun left for Dhaka University, he visited Shahidaís house. Shahida just came just for a few second to say salaam then left, went to her room layed down whole day, she was sick.