How do you chat with college friends?

 

College friends

Sitting in the shade of a tall eucalyptus tree next to the Shaheed Minar on the college grounds, Leela seemed like a character from a dream. The sunlight was falling on her face through the thin leaves of the eucalyptus tree. Her long hair was swaying gently in the light breeze. 

Everyone knows that Leela is a very quiet, sweet girl who doesn't like the hustle and bustle of other college students. Leela always waited for her friends under the eucalyptus tree near Shaheed Minar. The place had always been dear to her. And why not? When she came to Shaheed Minar, she remembered the history of the oral language taking away the Bengali language. Unknowingly, she was inspired by the bravery of the Bengalis. Along with the sacrifice of Shaheed Minar, it also symbolized the determination to protect its mother tongue, Bengali, from the Pakistanis.

Here she was so immersed in her thoughts that she lost sight of the world around her. Although she felt the beginning of something new emerging in the air. But she didn't understand what it was exactly.

Just a few feet away, Sohag, standing in a corner of the building, is observing Leela with a gentle smile. He is a little fascinated by Leela blending into the surroundings.

But his attention is lost when he sees Swadhin coming from the direction of the campus. Swadhin is a first-year intermediate student. A completely new face in the college. There is no trace of hypocrisy on his face, except for the impression of simplicity. A straight, well-built, innocent boy.

The grandeur and hustle and bustle of the campus have robbed many college girls of their sleep at night. This unique scene, created by the combination of eucalyptus trees, Shaheed Minar, and Leela, has not only intrigued Sohag but also shocked him. In the midst of this, Swadhin arrives. For Sohag, it was more than the arrival of a new student. He saw something in Swadhin that he never expected. As Swadhin approaches the eucalyptus tree, Leela comes back to reality from her world of thoughts.

Leela looks at Swadhin, their eyes testing each other. Leela asks Swadhin with a sweet smile, Is it so late? Swadhin hesitates, then smiles, a little shy but genuine. As if caught hiding something. The moment is brief yet charged with a sense of promise. It's too late to tell Rita, Swadhin replies curtly.

Sohag watches their eyes exchange a glance, the fascination his heart felt for Leela waning a little in Swadhin's presence. He's taking his time to understand everything, like a tiger takes its time before catching its prey.

Sohag had the feeling that their stories were intertwined. But what was it? He couldn't figure it out. As the eucalyptus tree's shadow lengthened, the three of them stood on the brink of the unknown, each carrying their own hopes, fears, and secrets. Sohag, drawn by Leela's serene presence; Leela, intrigued by the gentle mystery in Swadhin's eyes; and Leela, sensing a new friendship and an unknown future of possibilities in this new place.

The college grounds, organized under the shade of the eucalyptus tree near the Shaheed Minar, are holding their breath, waiting to see where these connections will lead. The sun has set; it seems to be 2.00/2.30 on the clock. The shadow of the eucalyptus tree is touching the Shaheed Minar, where Leela is still standing; her thoughts are wandering. Swadhin is trying to explain something to Leela.

Sohag felt a twinge in his chest that he couldn't quite explain about Leela's calm presence, which seemed to connect with him. Sohag watched from a distance, his mind a little unsettled by the unspoken signal. Leela, the girl who had long been his silent joy, his instrument of excitement, seemed more restless today, more emotional, with the arrival of someone new—was it this new boy or something else? But now, the scene suddenly had a new actor who wasn't in the script—Swadhin. Sohag couldn't decide whether he was feeling jealousy or relief. It was as if he was about to witness the opening act of a story that could change all their lives, and he wasn't sure what role he would play in it. Leela, sensing someone's gaze on her, turned around, slightly startled, to see Sohag's familiar face in the shadows.

He doesn't quite understand why he is so attracted to this girl, whom he meets regularly, meaning he sees Leela without Leela's knowledge but secretly. He knew that the feeling was real and as true as the moon. Going in front of Leela, Sohag gathered enough courage to talk to Swadhin, and speaking naturally, he said a little loudly, "Hi, I am Sohag," as if Leela were listening. He was a little nervous, but there was sincerity in his eyes. Swadhin smiled softly, shook Sohag's extended hand, and answered his question back- "I am Swadhin. It was nice to meet you. Do you study here with Leela?" Sohag nodded and looked around the campus as if he was seeing the campus for the first time. Then he answered that I was a year older than him. As if he was introducing Leela again. Leela is also a little surprised by Sohag's sudden presence, but she controls herself and says as if to give a little humor, "He's my school friend; he just transferred from another college today."

Swadhin's gaze returned to the Shaheed Minar, then to the tree under which they stood. "It seems... a fairly quiet place, much quieter than the hustle and bustle of the campus." Leela looked up at the eucalyptus leaves moving overhead, her gaze far away, reaching out beyond the leaves to the sky. The branches of the eucalyptus tree bent toward the Shaheed Minar as if they were quietly talking to it.

What more could Sohag think of talking to Leela? If she had been a part of her life story, there would have been so much to talk about. Leela turned slightly, looking at Sohag from a distance. Her gaze softened—she knew he was always close, watching over her. But today she felt a change, as if Swadhin's presence had changed the natural rhythm of their unspoken connection. For a moment, the three of them stood in a triangle, aware of each other's presence in different ways. The air was thick with unspoken words, the rush of possibilities swirling with emotion.

Leela's eyes met Sohag's and then Swadhin's before the sun's rays faded. A small, sharp smile always played on her lips, as if she too sensed that something had changed in this quiet place away from campus.

Swadhin, observing Sohag closely, deepens Swadhin's curiosity about this new chapter in his life, and with it comes the realization that this encounter under the eucalyptus tree is the beginning of something neither of them fully understands yet.

Leela, Swadhin, and Sohag stood in a delicate balance, each holding a part of the unfolding story, unsure of where it would take them, but no matter how small this moment was, it was only the beginning. The campus was now silent, with only a few stragglers walking through the college grounds. The soft murmur of conversation and laughter had faded, leaving only the rustling of eucalyptus leaves and the distant sound of traffic beyond the gates.

Swathin looked at Leela, his eyes fixed on the minaret. He felt the need to break the silence between them, thinking that this was a time when this opportunity might slip away if not seized. "So... do you come here often?" he asked Leela. Leela looked back at Swathin's words and replied with a soft smile, "Yes, almost every day." He added, "This is my favorite place on campus. I come here with my friends whenever I have free time between classes."

For Swadhin, this college was a new world—a place that he hoped would bring new experiences, new friendships, and even the opportunity to start making long-held fantasies a reality. Now, standing here with Leela, it began to dawn on him that this new world was already beginning to unfold in unexpected ways.

Sohag took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts. Should he continue the conversation? It seemed like friends had come after a long time; they might have some old things to talk about? Where his presence might unsettle them. Or would he just be a part of their conversation? Or would he have to retreat to let this bond between Leela and Swadhin develop without his intervention?

Before he could decide, Leela called out to him, her voice soft yet firm. "Sohag Bhai, join us." The words hung in the air, instantly creating a bridge that he could no longer ignore.

For a moment, time stood still. Swadhin looked at Leela, then at Sohag, realizing there was a history here that he didn’t fully understand. But instead of feeling like an outsider, he found himself an audience—a decade—thinking about how this story could bring the three of them together. Sohag hesitated, “Your old friend has come; you may have long-standing issues.” His face lit up in the soft glow of the cloud-covered sun. He slowly walked toward them, carrying the weight of unspoken words and hidden feelings with each step.

To be Continued...