It’s been a while. It’s been a while since the last time I’ve taken this bend. A very familiar bend. This bumpy ride through the narrow alley beside the slimy pond leads to the final turn towards the big rusty gate. This gate had been rusty for as long as I can remember. However, this gate doesn’t open up to reveal the red-bricked, moldy building from my childhood anymore. It doesn’t expose the glimpse of a melancholy green of the long, serene coconut trees peeking from behind the building. As I took the last drag of the odd-hour cigarette, I realized that the opening of this gate doesn’t revoke the age-old anticipation and excitement that churned up inside me every time I waited for this gate to open in the past. “Hey, lose the cigarette, we’re here. My sleepy cousin knocked on my thoughts from the front seat. We have arrived at our destination. The very familiar and green environment where the very first,the most embarrassing and the very much treasured memories of my life took birth. Those are the steps where I had my first fall, that is the tree under which me and my cousins fake-cooked leaves wearing grown-up clothes(the same day i took the most embarrassing picture i would ever take) and that is where Nana told us animated stories under the moonlight. This is the first time I have come to “Dream Villa" since Nana’s death. Nana is my grandfather. He had been a retired government officer who liked bird-watching very early in the mornings.





Comilla Visit...january '07