At the refugee camp, the Rohingyas from Aug Syke were passing eventless days. Though Rahim had a physical and mental breakdown, Hajera Begum’s care, cooperation from his relatives and the sympathy he received from his fellow camp residents, helped to improve his condition to a great extent. There was a mosque in the camp which looked more or less like another shack. Every day at dawn, for the fajr salat, Rahim went to the mosque with his cousin and his two nephews. While the men were at the mosque, Hajera and Kulsum prepared breakfast. Upon returning, Rahim would have breakfast with his wife and in law. Then he would set out for the bazaar inside the camp to buy the daily requirements and a newspaper. Usually, Abdul was his companion during his errands. The newspapers were all in Bangla, but somehow, he managed to read them.

That day, unlike the other days, he didn’t leave his shack in the morning. He wasn’t feeling well. Within a month, his shack, the area around his shack, and the walkways, all became familiar to him. However, none could occupy his heart. The memories of his ancestral home at Aung Syke were still fresh. His heart would bleed. Still, he wouldn’t let go those fond memories. It was a peculiar addiction. That morning, he had been reminiscing when suddenly Karim’s mobile lying next to him on his bed began ringing. First thing in the morning, Rahim had the habit of turning on the mobile. He knew, if his son was alive, today or tomorrow, he would call them. This is why he would always have it with him. He had an uncomfortable throbbing in his chest when he heard the mobile ringing. He wondered if his son was still alive. An unfamiliar voice brought him down to earth. The voice from the other end wanted to talk to Rahim. As he disclosed his identity to the man, the man introduced himself as Sajed, and said, he was a freedom fighter. Rahim was about to faint when the man hung up after informing him that his son was with them and he was in good health. Hajera noticed this and ran to her husband to take care of him. It was then that she learned from her husband what had just happened. Immediately, from the call list she took the number and called back. Unfortunately, she found the phone turned off. Husband and wife, both were eagerly waiting to hear from Karim. It seemed to Rahim as an appropriate advice when his wife told him not to let anyone know about this. Then quietly they sat on the bed, hoping that their son might call them. Rahim had this urge to inform Rafiq. At least for the time being, the idea was dropped at the insistence of his wife. At the time, Kulsum had been busy cooking rice in the clay stove which was in the veranda. She was kept in the dark as well. Hajera argued that Kulsum should be informed only after they had personally talked to Karim. Hajera feared that the news of Karim joining the rebels might adversely affect Kulsum’s mental health. If that happened, it would be devastating for the baby she had been carrying. Hence, the old couple decided to inform Kulsum of the development, upon consultation with Karim. Any information that might jeopardize Kulsum’s well-being, had to be kept hidden from her.

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