A Morning at the Fish Market: A Busy Day Off with Nusaiaba

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

Today was my office off-day — the only holiday of the week. I had planned to sleep late, relax, and give myself a little break from the daily routine. But life with a little child rarely goes as planned! Early in the morning, my daughter Nusaiaba woke up full of energy and started calling out, “Hati! Hati!” — which means “walk, walk.”

She loves to go out for walks, and I usually take her in the morning or evening. So, even though I was feeling lazy, I couldn’t say no. I got up, freshened up, and took her outside. The streets were already alive — people heading to the market, tea stalls busy with chatter, and the smell of fresh vegetables and fish filling the air.

While walking, I suddenly thought, “Why not visit the fish market today?” It had been a while since I last went. So, with Nusaiaba’s little hand in mine, we headed there.

As soon as I entered the fish market, the familiar scent of raw fish hit me. Sellers shouting prices, buyers bargaining loudly, and shiny fish laid out on trays — it was a scene full of sound and color. Under the tin roof, stalls were packed with different types of fish — rohu, catla, boal, pangas, shing, magur, shrimp, and even small-sized hilsa known as jatka ilish.

One vendor was arranging fish on a big steel tray while a young boy stood beside him, watching carefully. In another corner, a group of buyers argued about prices. “How much for this one?” — “Brother, reduce the price a little!” The whole place was buzzing with energy.

I walked slowly through the rows, observing the variety and checking the freshness. Prices were quite high — fish has become expensive these days. Since I hadn’t received my salary yet, my budget was tight. So, after a bit of thinking, I decided to buy half a kilogram of jatka hilsa and one kilogram of bata fish. Small, but fresh enough to make a nice meal. The seller wrapped them neatly in old newspaper and handed them over with a smile.

Meanwhile, Nusaiaba stood beside me, watching everything with innocent curiosity — how the fish were being cleaned, how water was being splashed around. To her, it was like a new world full of interesting sounds and sights.

By the time we returned home, the sun was already high, and I was sweating. I thought I’d finally get some rest — but the list of chores was waiting for me! Washing clothes, cleaning the floor, taking care of the plants on the balcony — the day slowly turned into a marathon of household work.

Finally, after lunch, I lay down on the bed, exhausted but satisfied. Nusaiaba was sleeping beside me with a soft smile on her face. At that moment, I realized — perhaps these small, ordinary moments are what make life truly beautiful.

My day off didn’t go as planned. I didn’t get the long sleep I hoped for, but instead, I got laughter, a little adventure, and the warmth of family life. A simple morning walk, a visit to the fish market, and the smile of my little girl — that’s what made the day memorable.