Picking Up My Little Sister from Kamalapur: A Memorable Day

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.

Spending time with younger family members is always a joy. Among our seven siblings, Mukta is the youngest. She is currently studying in class eight. With a constant smile on her face and a lively personality, she's the darling of our family. The HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) exams are going on now, and interestingly, the exam center has been set up at their own school. As a result, regular classes have come to a halt. Taking advantage of this break, Mukta expressed her desire to visit me in Dhaka.

But coming from the village to the city is not always easy. No one from our family was available to accompany her. My younger brother, who currently lives in Uttara, Dhaka, had visited the village last Wednesday. I asked him if he could bring Mukta along when returning to the city. He agreed, but mentioned he could only accompany her up to Kamalapur Railway Station. After that, I would need to pick her up.

Yesterday was Monday, and luckily, I had a day off from work. However, it had been raining intermittently since morning. Going out in the rain, especially in a bustling city like Dhaka, isn’t easy. After waiting all day, I finally decided post-6 PM that I must go and bring Mukta. I didn’t want her to feel lost or confused in an unfamiliar environment.

I hopped on an auto-rickshaw and headed to Chashara Railway Station. Roads are usually busy after evening, and the rain and traffic congestion made time management even harder. Though the train was scheduled to depart at 6:00 PM, it finally left at 6:28 PM. I became a little anxious, thinking my brother might get tired of waiting.

Eventually, I reached Kamalapur. There they were—Mukta and my brother—standing with smiles on their faces and a spark of excitement in their eyes. One look at Mukta's cheerful face and all my exhaustion melted away. She looked thrilled, as if her entire journey had been a delightful adventure.

After saying goodbye to my brother, Mukta and I boarded the same train back to Chashara. During the ride, she kept talking about how big the city is, how many people there are, and how bright everything looks. The difference between her village and the city was so vivid to her—every scene was a new experience in her eyes.

I hope she enjoys the days ahead, getting to know and adjust to the city life. I have plans to take her around the city with my family. Maybe Shahbagh, a few bookstores, local markets, restaurants, or even the children’s park—places where she can laugh, explore, and learn. I want the busyness, the vastness, and the glittering nights of Dhaka to inspire dreams in her heart.

This was Mukta’s first trip to the city—and I had the privilege to be her guide. Being able to take care of this small responsibility gave me a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.

The city lights, the train ride, and the rain-soaked evening—all combined to make this journey not just memorable for Mukta, but a special memory for me too.