A Short Story about liberation war and a war child ,written on August 26, 2012 at 12:51pm

                             MUKTI( FREEDOM)

      

                                                              10th  April 1971

  

It's almost midnight; time for a sound sleep. Dogs are barking outside and it is increasing tension among the people. Men, women, and even children are passing sleepless nights because the war has already started. The Pakistani Armies have already started to land on the Bangladeshi land. Everybody is fearful since everybody can hear the echoes of war.Mr. Bijoy requests his eldest daughter to give him the torch to inquire the reason of barking. He comes out from home and sees the headlights of vehicles. He hides in a corner of a tree. He is trying to see the people inside the vehicles. He clearly sees the Pakistani Armies, which means they have come to destroy their village Shopnopuri. Mr. Bijoy begins to utter the name of God with a shivering voice.He cannot think what type of catastrophe is engulfing towards the villagers of Shopnopuri. He hurriedly goes home. He warns his daughters to stay at home from the next day. He even advises his son, Ajay not to go outside since the atmosphere is very unfriendly for the people who are minority in numbers. 

                                                                11th April 1971

Next morning, he goes to the common tea-stall of the village. It is the place where people gather and gossip about the fresh news of war. He sits in a corner and asks Rahim( the owner of the tea-stall) about yesterday night. 

He replies, Allah you don’t know, Pakistani armies have camped in the school ground.Allah knows what is waiting for us? 

Suddenly, Jabbar Mia enters into the tea-stall with his followers.

Bijoy Dhor stands up and begins to walk. When he is coming out from there Jabbar shouts, sala, Malu , Indian Agent.

Mr. Bijoy comes out silently. Mr. Bijoy is horrified after hearing it.

He is uttering the name of God and lies in wait for leaving Jabbar and his group. 

After an hour they leave. Mr. Bijoy again enters and asks Rahim regarding their discussion. 

Rahim replies, sala harami ,traitor, Jabbar is trying to instigate Alif Chowdhuri’s younger son,Surjo to join in the Shanti Committee.He is showing the benefits in joining their group.

Ohhh,sounds Bijoy Dhor, and again asks if they discussed anything about the Pakistani armies. 

Rahim answers, yeah, yeah, the Pakistani commander ordered them to collect the names of those families who have young sons and keep an eye on them. 

Bijoy Dhor again sounds,ohhhh and starts for home. 

On the way, he is thinking about Alif Chowdhuri, who is a renowned doctor in the village. He took part in 1952’s Vasha Andholon.He says to himself, I am sureShurjo (Alif Chowdhuri’s son) will not join in the Shanti Committee ;he is not going to stigmatize his father’s reputation. He does not know when he has arrived at home. 

On seeing Mr. Bijoy, Durga( younger daughter of Mr. Bijoy) shouts, Baba has come, Baba has come;Baba, have you brought my bangles? 

Mr. Bijoy replies,I have forgotten. 

Durga begins to cry. Shoroshoti (eldest daughter of Mr. Bijoy) tries to pacify her, but Durga is insistently adheres to her demand.

Suddenly,Mr. Bijoy approaches towards Durga and gave her a slap. Shoroshoti and  her brother Ajay become astonish to see their father’s act. Their father has never hurt their psychologically retired sister. Even Durga is surprised atthis sudden incident.

Mr.Bijoy goes outside without saying anything. At evening, he returns home with a set of bangles. He gives these bangles to Durga, embraces her and utters,forgive me,child. When your mother died ,I have become your father and mother…..forgive me my child……I live for you….. I live for you….. 

Shoroshoti and Ajay are observing this scene from distance. Tears are rollingdown from their cheeks but these are the tears of happiness. Durga is the apple of their eyes, so her happiness is their happiness. 

                                                    

                                                                20th April 1971

People begin to suffer terribly with the passing of days. Mr. Bijoy goes toRahim’s tea stall for a cup of tea. The tea-stall is filled with the villagers.Everybody is praising West Pakistan. He cannot tolerate it and leaves the place without taking tea.He begins to walk and hears that Rahim is calling him from behind. 

Rahim says, are you hurt to hear their praise? They are not treacherous. They're praising West Pakistan since nobody knows, if there present any spy of the Shanti Committee .

Mr. Bijoy sounds,hmm. 

Rahim again asks, have you heard the news?

Mr. Bijoy asks,which?

About Alif Chowdhuri’s son Surjo? Rahim replies. 

MR. Bijoy answers,no, what happened?

Rahimsays, Mr. Chowdhuri has deserted Surjo since he has joined in the Shanti Committee. Mr. Bijoy again sounds,OHhhhhh. One more thing, I think you know about the disaster of Mondol’s family

Mr.Bijoy sounds, hmmm and starts for home.

Rahim shouts, Bijoy Babu, leave this country. It is better for you and your family. Mr. Bijoy does not reply.

Mr. Bijoy sits to take dinner with his family members at night. Ajay seeks permission from his father to say something.

Mr. Bijoy gives him permission to say his sayings.

Ajay starts, I want to go to war. 

On hearing it, Mr. Bijoy feels that he is sweating. 

He asks Ajay, have you heard about the tragedy of Mondol’s family?

Ajay sounds,hmm.

Mr. Bijoy says,think about the consequence of Mondol’s family; think about your sisters. If your conscience tells you to join in the Mukti Bahini then join. I have nothing to say. 

He enters into the room without taking any food and lies on his bed. He feels sick after hearing it. He is thinking about Mondol who was his pal. Last year,Mondol and his wife went to see one of their relatives by boat. But bad luck was their beck and call. The boat fell into the storm and they lost in the bosom of the river. They left a son and a daughter who used to live with their grandmother. After the declaration of liberation war Mondol’s son went to war.The day before yesterday Pakistani armies along with some members of the Shanti Committee paid a visit to Mondol’s home. The Commander asked Mondol’s 11 years girl about her brother.The girl answered, he has gone to war for killing the devils. The commander laughed and ordered everybody to wait outside for him. 

After sometimes, he came out from the room and said, if you want, you can enjoy the bitch. Four soldiers entered into the room and they all jumped on her. Her grandmother began to cry by holding their legs and requesting everybody for not doing gang rape. She said, if you want to rape her, does so individually since the body of the 11 years child was unable to tolerate it. But the soldiers were indifferent towards her pray. One of the soldiers ordered a member of the Shanti Committeeto take her away from the room. The body and the soul of the girl could not endure the torture. Ultimately, the soul came out from the body. Mr. Bijoy is thinking about the incident and goes to sleep. At night, Shoroshoti calls Mr.Bijoy for dinner.

During dinner, he says to his son to help him tomorrow.

Ajay asks, what kind of help? He replies, see it tomorrow until  then  don’t ask me any question. 

                                                           21st April 1971

Next morning, Mr. Bijoy starts to dig a hole behind the house. He orders Ajay to take away the soil and throw these soil into the river. Mr. Bijoy then covers the hole with the branches of twigs and leaves of trees. 

.

                                              

                                                            21st May 1971

Everybody is passing dreadful days and nights since of the echoes of fire and bombs. People even fear to breathe since of the war. Some Hindu families have already moved to India, some others do not have any option but to live in the village because they do not have any near and dear ones in India. Mr. Bijoy is one of them.Mr. Bijoy is obsessed with the fear of war.He is walking staggeringly. He does not know when he has come near house of Jabbar Mia. He quickly changes the direction and starts for home. On the way, he meets Ranjit along with his family members.

Mr. Bijoy asks him about his days.

Ranjit answers, ahhhh , days.Don’t ask about my days.

Mr. Bijoy also sounds ahhh and again asks where are you going?

On hearing the question, Ranjit begins to cry by holding him. 

He answers, jabbar’s house. 

Mr. Bijoy amaze sand asks Jabbar? Why!?

Ranjit answers, we are going to be Muslims. He cries and again says, I know that Baghban will never forgive me for this crime. I am going to discard my forefather's religion. I am going to do this not to save myself but to save my blood. He then makes a sign to his wife to follow him. He starts to walk without saying anything. 

Mr. Bijoy starts for home. On the way, he is thinking about Ranjit  who is a fanatic believer of Hinduism as well as a strong devotee of Durga. He thinks about his family. He does not know what's going to be happened. He does not want to think about it but every time it hits into his unconscious. 

                                    

                                                            30th May 1971 

He comes home and lies on the bed and thinking and thinking. Suddenly he wakes up because of the sound of fires and bombs. Durga is crying. Shoroshoti is trying to pacify her. Mr. Bijoy comes out from home and takes shelter with his son and daughters in the hole. Durga being tired of crying goes to sleep. By this time, the sound has stopped and Mr.Bijoy comes out from the hole to explore the matter. He approaches forward and clearly sees that the Pakistani armies along with some Rajakars are coming towards the Hindu community. He begins to run towards the cave and hides there again. 

Mr.Bijoy is shivering. Shoroshoti asks, what happened? Mr. Bijoy answers,I don't know…….I don’t know…….Ma Durga saves us……saves us….. 

Suddenly, they hear the sound of boots. The armies are talking in Urdu and scolding the Hindus’

Shoroshoti says, Baba they are breaking our door. 

Mr. Bijoy sounds sshhh. 

After sometimes, they see the spark of fire flying towards sky. Shoroshoti is crying since they have burnt their house. Ajay is biting his lip with anger.Bloods are coming from his lip but he is careless. Mr. Bijoy is still trembling and praying to God. All the members are passing sleepless night except Durga. 

                                                                         

                                                              1st June 1971 

It is dawn. The sound of the Azan is echoing everywhere. The rays of the sun are peeping inside the hole. Durga rises from sleep. She is crying because of hunger. All of them come out from the hole.Everybody is speechless. Durga rushes to the spot. Durga shouts,where is our home?

Shoroshoti is weeping and answers, Ma, Durga has taken our home towards the sky since She does not have any home to live. On hearing, this Durga becomes happy.She shouts, Ma, I do not have any complain against you. But where shall we live now, Ma???

Mr. Bijoy can not hold the tears of his eyes. Shoroshoti comes towards him and says, Baba do not ponder about it. Ma, Durga will make everything alright again. She will not abandon us. 

Mr. Bijoy only says, hope so.

Mr. Bijoy along with his family members starts to walk. Almost all the houses of this community have burnt to ashes. But the members of the community whohave turned into Muslims are still alive and safe. They enter inside Ranjit's home. Durga is still crying for food. Ranjit's wife gives her some fried rice with sugar. 

Mr. Bijoy asks, why the Pakistani armies have burnt all the houses? Where are the other members of the Hindu Community? What is going on Ranjit?

Ranjit starts to say, last night some Muktis came to spy on the movements of Pakistani armies. But , unfortunately the guards of the camp saw them and started  fire on them. In response, the Muktis also fired on them, 6  Muktis were killed on the spot. At night the Pakistani armies attacked on this Hindu community as a response of the attack. Only the converted Hindus’ could save themselves from the brutality of those beasts.They killed the young males and took away their wives and sisters.

Ranjit then requests Mr. Bijoy not to call him Ranjit since he is now Kalam Mia. 

Mr. Bijoy requests Ranjit to give them shelter. But Ranjit rejects his request and says, I can not, pardon me. If they hear, I have given you shelter I have to endure the same fate like the other members of this community. Pardon me. 

Mr. Bijoy comes outside; he is thinking where will he go with his children? He sees Bishas Chokroborty (neighbor) with his grand-son is going somewhere. Mr.Bijoy asks, where are you going Bishas vai? 

Mr. Bishas begins to cry, he says , I am ruined……..I am ruined... Those sons of bitches destroyed everything. When those animals attacked on us, my son requestedus to hide under the cot, inside the almira,  kitchen, and the other room. The armies knocked the door and my son opened it. They were asking about other family members. My son answered that all of them have gone to visit our relatives.Suddenly my daughter began to cough. The commander with a luscious smile asked who was coughing inside the other room. My son ran and locked the door from inside.My son told his sister to come out under the cot. He also ordered his wife to come out inside the almirah and told his sister to hide inside it. By this time the armies broke the door. My son said, my wife was coughing.  Please don't do any harm to my wife, she is pregnant. The commander made a sign to take away my daughter-in-law. When they were taking away my daughter-in-law, she did not say anything just looking at my son with astonishment. The commander then ordered to make a search of the whole house. They found my daughter and also took her with them. My son was begging to set his sister free. But, they did not pay any heed to his words .The armies killed my son on the spot. After killing my son they burnt our house. My son sacrificed his wife for saving his sister's chastity but he could not. When the house was burning, we two somehow managed to run away from the kitchen and took shelter behind the mosque. 

Mr.Bishas again cries and says, we can’t live in this country anymore. This nation belongs to the Muslims’ not the Hindus’.Don’t know what we will do in India since we don’t have any relative there. Ok, Mr. Bijoy, pray for us. We are already late. He then starts to walk and his grand-son begins to follow him. 

Mr. Bijoy is thinking about his children. He is thinking and thinking. Suddenly, he decides that he will turn into a Muslim. He rushes to Ranjit’s home. There,he tells his family members not to raise their voice against his upcoming decision. He then tells, we are going to be Muslims. Don’t worry my children;we are not going to discard our forefather’s religion. We will just act of being Muslims like the actors. It is the only option to save ourselves from the grasp of those brutal animals. Be prepare, we are going to Jabbar Mia’s house.He then snatches the idol of Durga from Durga’s hand, gives it to Ranjit and requests it to hide it into a safe place. 

Mr. Bijoy starts to walk to Jabbar’s house along with his family members. On seeing them, Jabbar shouts, look the prey has come with other preys.

He then asks, where were you yesterday night?Why have you come? To die! He then begins to laugh.

Mr. Bijoy says, we have come to embrace Islam by discarding our religion. 

Jabbar praises by saying Alhamdullih. May Allah bestow his benediction upon you and your family. He then requests Shoroshoti and Durga to utter Kalema with him.

But Durga rejects to do so. Mr. Bijoy says to Durga, Ma, if you utter the thing they will give you bangles. Then, both Durga and her sister begin to utter Kalema with Jabbar. Jabbar then orders one of his followers to take Mr. Bijoy and his son into the special room.

The father and the son begin to follow them and enter into a room. Mr. Bijoy asks, why have you brought us here? They answer, in order to be a true Muslim,at first you need to be circumcised. 

He then orders both the father and the son to lie down. They lie on the floor side by side. Some members hold their hands and legs. Two of them approach towards them with knives. Ajay is shouting because of extreme pain. But Mr.Bijoy endures the pain silently because of shame before his son. The pain which is going inside his mind is more intense than the pain of his body. After the circumcision, having taken off their dhotis they're thrown into the fire.  They give both of them two lungis' and of topis. Then they order both father and son to utter Kalema with them. Both of them do so. 

On the way, both the father and the son have not exchanged a single word. 

Shoroshoti asks, what happened? 

But both of them are silent. 

Mr. Bijoy only says, go home ,I am coming a little while. He then starts towalk. He sits under a banyan tree. He begins to cry like a baby. After sometimes, he comes back with some people to build their new home. The home is being built on that day. 

The relationship between the father and the son becomes more uncomfortable with the passing of time. They do not exchange even a single word. Mr. Bijoy and his family members have embraced Islam but they have not accepted it from heart. That is why, every night they worship Ma Durga. They perform  almost all the Hindu rituals. Both the  father and the son wear a topi and Shoroshoi draws a veil when she go outside. They have become the art of Islam but there's no Islam in their heart. 

                                                            

                                                              15th June 1971

It is dawn. Mr. Bijoy is sleeping. Suddenly, he hears the cry of Shoroshoti. She comes towards him with a piece of paper and gives it to him. He begins to read it:

                                                                  বাবা, আমি যুে৸ধ গেলাম। এতো অপমান, এতো গ্লানি, এতো কষ্ট,এতো ঘৃণা নিয়ে আমি বসে থাকতে পারব না।পরাধীনতার গ্লানি ভেংগে মুক্তির স্বাদ নিয়ে তবেই ঘরেফিরবো। এ দেশ যেমন মুসলমান এর তেমনিই হিন্দুদের।আমার দেশ কে আমি স্বাধীন করবই।পারলে আমায় ক্ষমা কর। ইতি, অেজয়। 

Tears are rolling down from Mr. Bijoy’s face. He wipes his as well as Shoroshoti’s tears. He says to her, dear don’t cry. For the first time I feel proud for my son. Your brother has gone to war to save his mother, father, and sisters. You should be proud of him. Mr. Bijoy begins to cry again like a child by holding Shoroshoti. 

                                           

                                                           
                                                                20th July 1971 

A month has already passed but Mr. Bijoy has not received any news regarding Ajay. He does not know whether Ajay is dead or alive. Sometimes Durga asks about his Dada. Every time she gets the same answer that Ajay has gone to buy bangles for her. Sometimes this reply irritates Durga and says I don’t want bangles; I want my Dada. 

Mr. Bijoy is sitting in the Rahim’s tea-stall and thinking about his son. Jabbar Mia with his followers enters into the tea-stall. On seeing Mr. Bijoy, he asks him, ohe  Hasan Mia ( Mr. Bijoy’s converted name) how are you? Have you said your Fazor Prayer?

Mr. Bijoy answers, fine and yeah. 

Jabbar praises, Alhamdullah and says where is your son? I have not seen him fora long time. 

Mr. Bijoy with a shivering tone answers, he is busy with  house-hold works.

Jabbar sounds, hmmmmm and praises, good boy. 

Jabbar then goes back to his conversation with his followers. Their topic is Islamic rules and regulations. Mr. Bijoy notices that Surjo Chowdhury islaughing. It seems that he is very happy. He does not want to see the face of this black sheep. His mind becomes filled with hatred for Surjo. He gives salam to Jabbar and starts for home.

On the way, he is thinking about the tragedy of Surjo’s family. Few days ago Surjo’s eldest brother, Raha Chowdhury, who was a freedom fighter came to pay a visit to his parents. Somehow, Jabbar was informed about it. Jabbar did not say anything to Surjo. Jabbar gives a letter to Surjo and orders Surjo to go to another village  and deliver it to one of his friends Keramot Ali. Surjo without wasting time starts. Jabbar, then informed about Raha Chowdhury’s arrival to the Pakistani commander. He with the Pakistani armies went to Chowdhuri’s home. There, Raha caught red handed. The Pakistani commander ordered him to put off his clothes .Raha did not want to do so. But Alif Chowdury requested his son to follow their order for the sake of Raha’s life. 

Raha answered, Baba they would ultimately kill me. 

Alif Chowdhuri said, whatever follows their order. It is the last request of a father towards his son. He was standing naked before the soldiers and his parents. They could not look at one another because of shame. Suddenly the soldiers started to beat them. 

Raha shouted, beat me….. Kill me…..but don’t beat my parents….they are old enough….they can not tolerate the pain of your torture.

Alif Chowdhury was also shouting and praying to them to forgive his son. 

He said, one of my sons is working in favor of West Pakistan. For the sake of this,forgive my eldest son, please….please, show mercy.

Alif Chowdhuri’s words could not pacify their heart. The commander ordered the soldiers to beat them until their death and brought Raha to the camp. Some soldiers dragged denuded Raha before the villagers towards the camp. They wanted to know information about the Muktis’. They tortured Raha inhumanly for information. But Raha did not open his mouth. 

After some days, during the torture, Raha snatched a knife from their hands and cut his throat with it. 

Surjo returned by this time. Jabbar informed him about everything. Jabbar said Surjo, your father has deserted you. For what? You are working for your country.Your brother was a traitor. Don’t be sad for them. From now, I am your father.Surjo did not say anything. Jabbar warned him not to create any scene regarding this incident. What  happened has just happened. 

Surjo sounds hmmm. 

Jabbar takes him to his breast and says, I knew it my son you would listen to this father….. I knew it…….. I am proud of you son. Mr. Bijoy is walking and thinking whether Surjo is really the blood of Alif Chowdhury or not …… whether he is a human or not…. He then answers to himself, an animal is better than Surjo.

                                                            1st August 1971

It is moonlit night. Shoroshoti is looking through the window. Every night she looks outside and anticipates for the safe return of his Dada. Suddenly shesees that a shadow is approaching towards their home. She shouts, Baba, Dada is coming…… Dada is coming. She calls Durga from her sleep and says, Durga, Dada has come with your bangles. Arise… Arise…. 

Mr. Bijoy goes outside to receive his son. Two sisters are eagerly waiting for their Dada. But where is their Dada? His father returns with a stranger.

Shoroshoti asks, who is this guy with you? Mr. Bijoy answers, he is Ajay’s friend and says let’s go inside. 

But Durga says, without Dada I will not go inside.

Three of them go inside the house but Durga is waiting for his Dada like a lifeless idol. 

Shoroshoti asks the stranger about Ajay. But the stranger does not reply. 

After some moments, the stranger breaks the silent. He says that he is going to tell everything. But before that they have to give him words that they will hold their emotion. He then starts to tell, Ajay was working as a spy in favor of the Mukti Bahini. He was working in an Automobile workshop where cars were used to repair and spying on the movements of the Pakistani armies and the Rajakars. 

One day, one of the Rajakars came to the workshop and ordered him to go with him to the Pakistani camp since some of the vehicles were needed to repair. 

Ajay said to him that the head mechanic is not here. He is at home. 

He then requested him to wait for a while. He would  go to the head mechanics's home and come back with him. He ran towards the Mukti Bahini’s camp.He explained everything to them. 

Our chief commander was the only man who was an expert of repairing the vehicles. The commander took some time-bombs and hid them into the instrumental boxes. They came back to the workshop and started to walk to the Pakistani camp with the Rajakar.

They fixed the time bombs under the jeeps. They said to the Rajakar that they have repaired the jeeps and wanted their payment. 

The Rajakar in reply said, you sons of bitches, I am surprised to see your courage. No payment. Get lost.

The bombs were going to be exploded within 25 minutes.

Suddenly, one of the soldiers ordered other soldiers to get into the jeeps quickly. He shouted, two of the vans which are filled with weapons have got stuck on the road; we need to go to the spot quickly since the Muktis’ might make an attack on those vans. 

The Pakistani commander ordered to take Ajay and our commander with them to repair those vans. 

They did not have any option but to get into the jeeps with them. They knew that they were going to die with these animals. 

The jeeps were moving with a great speed. Ajay was looking at the clock anxiously. Time was racing with the speed of the jeeps. Only 15 seconds wereleft to explode. 

Our commander shouted to jump. But Ajay did not do so, he shouted, Joy Bangla. 

Just then, the bombs exploded. The blood of the animals and a freedom fighter were mingled together. 

Shoroshoti and Mr. Bijoy are crying. The stranger then said, Ajay was a good friend of mine. He gives Ajay’s bag to Shoroshoti . All three’s are silent. 

After sometimes, the stranger says, I have come from a long distance. I am hungry. Would you mind giving me some food?

Shoroshoti goes to the kitchen to cook something. 

Mr. Bijoy opens the bag of his son. He finds some red bangles for Durga, a panjabi for him, a sharee for Shoroshoti, and some clothes of Ajay. Mr. Bijoy again cries. He goes to the door, shows those bangles to Durga and says, your Dada has sent these bangles for you. 

Durga replies, I don’t need these bangles. I need my Dada… I need my Dada... 

Mr. Bijoy then says, if you don’t wear these bangles and go to bed, your Dada will be sad. Durga snatches the bangles and rushes to the bed.

It is midnight. The stranger sits to eat.Suddenly they hear that somebody is knocking at their door. Mr. Bijoy gives a sign to the stranger go inside the room. He opens the door and finds that Jabbar is standing with his followers. 

Without saying anything Jabbar orders his followers to search the entire house.They begin to search inside the rooms. The stranger is caught red handed with his gun. 

Jabbar again orders them to take them to the Pakistani camp except Durga. Shoroshoti cries for Durga. She does not want to keep Durga alone. Mr. Bijoy holds Jabbar’s legs and begs not to do any harm to his psychologically retired child.

Jabbar then shouts to take them away from here as soon as possible. Shoroshotiis still sleeping. Jabbar is looking at her sleeping body with lust. After sometimes, he jumps on her body. Shoroshoti cries out,Baba……..Dada…..didi……..help me……..help me………

Blood is coming out from her hands since her red bangles are broken down. Her red bangles become redder with the mingling of blood. Jabbar de-flowers the girl. Durgas cry could not resist the beast to prey her. Durga is lying and crying on the bed. She has realized that Jabbar spoiled her.

Jabbar returns to the camp. He whispers into Surjo’s ear to go to Mr. Bijoys home and throw Durga’s body into the river. 

Jabbar says to the Pakistani commander that Mr. Bijoy is a traitor. He gives shelter to a freedom fighter. 

The commander shouts, there is no place for the treacherous on the land of Pakistan. He orders the soldiers to kill Mr. Bijoy and take the stranger to the torture cell. 

He again orders to send Shoroshoti towards him tomorrow since today he is busywith another girl. 

Shoroshoti begs her father’s life.

In reply the commander says, see you tomorrow till then cry, darling. 

For the last time both father and daughter exchange their empathy through their expression.

Shoroshoti hears the sound of fire. She just sounds, ahhhhh… 

It seems that the bullet has pierced her breast. 

Shoroshoti spends the night sleepless. The sun is rising but the rays of thesun are not coming with the rays of hope. She spends the whole day crying. The sun sets with the end of her hope. 

                                       

                                                                     
                                                          2nd August 1971

The soldiers take Shoroshoti into the commander’s room. The commander is eagerly waiting for her. Shoroshoti enters into the room and the commander locks the door. He holds her tightly. Shoroshoti does not resist him. She is cool. 

Suddenly, Surjo enters into the camp. He wants to meet the commander. The soldiers want to know the reason. 

Surjo in reply says, I have to give him an important information regarding theMuktis’; it is urgent. Can I wait for him inside? 

The soldiers give him permission and warn him not to disturb the commander.

He goes inside, approaches to the door, and begins to knock it. 

The commander opens the door. Surjo holds a pistol into his head.

He then requests Shoroshoto to wear her sharee and follow him. He comes outside with the commander and Shoroshoti. He orders the commander to give command to his soldiers to keep their guns on the ground. Surjo gives Shoroshoti a letter and shouts, run.He holds the gun upon the commander’s head for about 30 minutes. 

Suddenly, he shots into the commander’s head and takes off two hand grenades from his pocket. He throws those bombs into the soldiers. In response the soldiers fire on them. Bullets pierce his chest. Surjo laughs and utters,Vengeance. 

Shoroshoti walks for the rest of the night. The rays of the sun are already peeping into this globe. She sits under a tree and begins to go through the letter. 

Shoroshiti didi,

I have never ever worked for West-Pakistan. I was a spy of the freedom fighters. But, unfortunately my father misunderstood and deserted me. I couldn't tell him that his blood have never learnt to make treachery against hiscountry. You should be proud of your son. Whatever, the important thing is that Durga is still alive. I have kept her in the Modhupur Mukti camp. I am sorry that I could not save her from the lust of Jabbar. Go to the following address and takes care of Durga. I know that my memory will always remain alive into your heart. Pray for me. 

Surjo Chowdhury. 

                                                                      

                                                            3rd August 1971

Shoroshoti without wasting time starts for Modhupur. She arrives there and hands over the letter to the freedom fighters. One of the freedom fighters takes her into Durga’s room. Both the sisters begin to cry by holding each other. Shoroshoti requests the freedom fighters to give them shelter.The commander replies, you can stay here until the war finishes. Two sisters begin to live in the camp. Shoroshoti cooks for the freedom fighters. Durga has lost the charm of her life. She hardly talks with Shoroshoti. Time  is passing with the anticipation of freedom.

                                                           10th December 1971 

Shoroshoti finds that Durga is pregnant. She requests one of the freedom fighters to call a doctor. The doctor checks Durga and confirms about it. Shoroshoti decides that Durga will give birth to this child.                                           

                                                       The Day of Independent

The freedom fighters are returning in the camp with the slogan of freedom. One of the freedom fighters says to Durga that now they belong to an independent nation.Nobody is going to interrupt into their freedom. Shoroshot is joys know no bounds after hearing it. She along with Durga takes goodbye from them starts for Shopnopuri. 

She enters into their home. Everything is scattered in the same way. She finds Durga’s broken bangles, Ajay’s bag and his clothes, a sharee, which was bought for her by Ajay,her father’s clothes, and the unfinished rotten food of the stranger. Now everything is only memory. Tears are rolling down from her pink cheeks. She wants to start a new life with Durga and with the upcoming child. 

                                                                 
                                                                 3rd April 1972 

Durga is crying because of pain. Shoroshoti goes outside and returns with some women. All of them are trying to make the delivery successful. 

Finally, Durga gives birth to a daughter. But unfortunately she cannot see the face of her child.

Shoroshoti shouts, Ma, You have taken away everything. Now you have taken awaymy sister from me. What kind of justice   is it ! You are not just……..You're not just….

At noon, she takes Durga’s body to the crematorium. Shoroshoti gives fire toDurga’s face and becomes senseless. 

At night she takes Durga’s daughter into her lap and says, you are the last inspiration to live. I will call you Mukti. 

                                                                           

                                                                    The year,2000 

Shoroshoti has not married for the sake of Mukti. Mukti knows that she is the daughter of a Rajakar. His father is a respected chairman of this village. Jabbar Miahas never given her identity as his daughter. In Shopnopuri, she is known as a war child. 

Mukti is studying in a university at Dhaka. There, she has fallen in love with a person called Akash. Mukti told him everything about her past. Akash givesher word that he will never spare her.Mukti returns home since Durga Puja isknocking at the door. At night, Mukti and Shoroshoti sit to eat. Mukti tells Shoroshoti about her affair with Akash. She further says, Akash and his parents are coming to their home to fix the date of their marriage. Shoroshoti asks,have you told them about your past? 

Mukti answers, yeah I have told everything to Akash regarding my past. He does not have any problem. 

After some days, Akash and his parents come to their home to see Shoroshoti andMukti. Akash’s parents are so happy to meet them.They fix the date of their marriage. Akash’s parents go outside visit the village.

Suddenly, Jabbar Mia appears before them and asks, I have never seen you. Are you new in this village?

Akash’s father answers we have come to Mr.Bijoy’s home to fix the date of marriage with his grand daughter. We are very glad to get such a goddaughter-in-law like Durga. Jabbar sounds, aha and says, such a good human being like you is rarely seen now days; Other wise who wants to accept a war child as a daughter-in-law?!

Akash’s father asks what! She is a war child!!? 

Jabbar replies, you do not know. The whole village knows that Mukti is a bastard. The Pakistani armies raped her mother. Whatever, I should not poke mynose into this affair. Jabbar then starts to walk. 

Akash’s parents come to Mr. Bijoy’s home. They find there Akash. His father asks, do you know that Mukti is a war child? 

Akash answers, yes. 

He again asks Akash, Why have you hid it from us? Also says, whatever I am not going to accept Mukti as my daughter-in-law.

Mukti is hearing everything. Suddenly,she raises her voice and says to Akash’s father, do you know that the freedom you are enjoying did not come very easily.You are enjoying freedom because my mother sacrificed her chastity, my uncle sacrificed his life, the Pakistani armies killed my grand father, and my motherwas pregnant with a bastard. Now you are enjoying freedom and want to reject our contributions by rejecting me. 

Akash’s father interrupts and shouts, stop lecturing. 

They say to Akash, we are going to Dhaka, come alone. 

Akash and Mukti are standing silently for a while. 

Akash breaks the silent and says, I cannot go against my parents.

Mukti says, I am already 4 months pregnant. What is about our child? 

Akash replies, it’s not ours. It’s yours. I cannot take any responsibility regarding the child. 

Mukti shouts, get lost….get lost……. I do not want to see your face………..get lost…… At night, Mukti is looking at the sky. Shoroshoti tries to pacify her.But her pacification seems futile before her grief……before her anger…….before her insult….. 

Mukti only asks to Shoroshoti , is this the gift of freedom!!!!!?????

It is late night. Everybody is sleeping since tomorrow is the first celebration day of the Durga Puja. But, some one like Mukti is still awake with pain. Mukti rises from bed and takes a bundle of rope. She starts to walk towards Jabbar Mia’s house. Just in front of the house, she ties the rope with a tree.She saysto herself, 

আমি মুক্তি, মুক্ত দেশ এর নাগরিককিন্থু মুক্তির স্বাদকেনও আজ ও আমি পাইনি?পরাধীনতার গ্লানি আজও কেন আমাকে স্পর্শ করে?আমি চলে যাচ্ছিমুক্তির স্বাদ পাওয়ার জন্য। 

She then hangs herself.

Mukti does so for freedom.

But, will she find freedom?

The question is absurd.