A Story of a Super-Hero (Part-2)

Author: Engineer M. M. E. Hossain

2.

Episode: Letter to Father

It had been almost two years since Asem had not checked on his parents. However, this time the postman sent a letter. And the postman was carrying the letter according to Asem's address. He kept on going. He stopped at many places along the way, sometimes to rest, sometimes to deliver letters. Finally, according to the address given by Asem, the postman reached Asem and Rafiq's house after two weeks. Suddenly, Asem's father was scared to see someone new in the house. And, he had reason to be scared. Because on one hand, the oppression of the landlords was increasing. And on the other, the British indigo farmers were coming. Even though Asem's father's villagers paid taxes to the landlords, the indigo farmers had not yet arrived. So, they were afraid. Even though everyone in the village was afraid of the new arrivals, Asem's father began to speak boldly, "Father, who are you? And why have you come here?"

Postman: “I have come from my master.”

Asem’s father (frightened): “Who is your master?”

Postman: “My masters are Asem Shariat and Rafiqul Bhuiyan. They have given me two letters. Can you tell me who the fathers of Asem Sir and Rafiq Sir are?”

Asem's father (happy): "Yes, I am Asem's father. And the person standing there is Rafiq's father."

The villagers had never seen this method of delivering letters before. So, the entire village went to the postman to find out what was written in the letter.

Finally, the postman began to read the letter, “Dear mother and father, I bow down to you in respect. I also pay my respects to my two elder brothers and my sister-in-law.…………. This is it, your younger son Asem Shariat.”

Thus, the postman read out the letters from Asem and Rafiq one by one. After reading Asem and Rafiq's letter, the villagers were satisfied, impressed and hopeful that by the command of the Lord, the two friends would try to change their fate.

Episode: The Postman's Return

Everyone in the village, including Asem and Rafiq's family, had taken great care of the postman. In the letter, the two friends promised to set up a small market, a mail delivery office, a well-developed farm for various livestock and a silk yarn factory in their small village. The postman's words were like lightning flashing through the eyes of the villagers. It was a charming atmosphere. After staying for a day, the postman had to take his way back. And, he had been asked to take Asem and Rafiq's parents and nephews with him. After bidding farewell to the villagers, Asem and Rafiq's parents and Asem's elder brothers' sons Kanchan and Sham set off with the postman.

Episode: Before the Marriage of Two Friends

A new chapter began in Asem's life after sending the letter to his parents. One day, a woman in a black burqa pulled up in front of Asem's letter delivery office in a well-decorated horse-drawn carriage. As soon as the carriage stopped, everyone moved aside. The driver of the carriage announced that everyone should move aside because the daughter of the Morol Mashai was coming. Inside the car were a very beautiful woman, Umme Nigar Sultana, the daughter of the village Morol Mashai, and her maidservant Salsabil. The Morol Mashai's daughter pulled back the curtain of the car and glanced at Asem. As soon as her eyes met Asem's, the girl smiled and pulled back the curtain. Asem's heart was struck with electricity. The girl had liked Asem. Asem himself was a strong man with a well-built body. Umm Nigar had never seen a man like Asem in that village. As usual, after exchanging messages and greetings to Asem through the Morol-Mashai's daughter maidservant, he left the place.

On the other hand, Rafiq was going from the village to a nearby small village for some work. After going some distance, he saw a horse-drawn carriage standing on the road.

Rafiq asked, “What happened?”

Driver: “There is a small crack in the iron part of one of the wheels of the horse-drawn carriage.”

Rafiq: “Whose car is this?”

Driver: “This is Mr. Akand’s daughter’s car.”

Rafiq: “Who is Mr. Akand?”

Driver: “The younger brother of the chief of the village of Bheratiya. He is responsible for collecting all the taxes in the village.”

Rafiq: “What can I do for you?”

Driver: “Can you light a little fire and melt some lead to fix the cracks in the iron ring?”

Rafiq: "Why can't I? If the Lord wills, I can certainly do it." Umm Shumi Ara, the immaculately beautiful daughter of Akand Masayer, covered her head and got down from the carriage with maidservant Kanikajani. After working for a while, Rafiq fixed the horse-drawn carriage.

Umm Shumi: “Peace, sir.”

Rafiq: “Peace, to you too.”

Umm Shumi: “Your behavior and help have impressed me greatly.”

Rafiq: "My happiness and that of my friend Asem lies in being able to help people. Which gives us an immense and charming happy life. Goodbye like today, madam. I am in a hurry."

Umm Shumi: "Goodbye, sir."

Finally, when Asem and Rafiq had met for lunch, they had told each other their experiences. Although they both wanted to erase them from their minds, some invisible illusion seemed to prevent them from forgetting them. They did not know where the end would be. However, they seemed to be trapped by a spell.