The morning was calm.
The sun hadn't fully risen yet, and a soft blue light spread across the sky.
Ira stood by the edge of the rooftop, breathing slowly.
The air was cool, and the wind tangled her black hair as it brushed against her face.
There was a serene stillness on her lips, and her eyes shimmered softly in the half-light, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a voice came from below—
"Good morning!"
Ira turned, startled.
Down by the pond in front of her house stood Onik.
He was wearing a white shirt that fluttered gently in the breeze.
A book rested in his hand, and his calm eyes carried the same quiet warmth she had seen that rainy afternoon at the café.
Ira walked down the stairs.
They sat together on the stone steps near the pond.
The sunlight now danced on the rippling water, and a flock of white swans glided gracefully across.
The light caught their feathers, turning them silver in the morning glow.
Softly, Ira said,
"Look at them… they seem so peaceful."
Onik smiled faintly.
"Yes, they always move in pairs. Even if they get separated, they find their way back to each other."
Ira watched the swans for a long moment.
A quiet smile curved on her lips.
The air was filled with the scent of morning flowers and the gentle calls of birds.
After a while, she touched the water and murmured,
"Sometimes I wish life could be this peaceful."
Onik replied,
"You are peace, Ira. Maybe you just need to give yourself a little time to see it."
Ira laughed softly.
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind—
"Ira!"
Startled, she turned around.
Her mother stood by the railing, holding a cup of tea, an amused smile on her face.
Ira quickly stood up.
"Mom! You scared me!"
Her mother came down the steps, smiling.
"I came to bring you tea… and found someone keeping you company."
Embarrassed, Ira lowered her eyes.
"Mom, this is my friend… Onik."
Onik smiled politely.
"Good morning, aunty."
Her mother returned the smile.
"Good morning, Onik. Out here with a book this early?"
Onik chuckled softly.
"The pond near Ira's house is so quiet… I thought I'd spend a little peaceful time here."
Her mother nodded and walked away with a knowing smile.
Ira looked at Onik and said playfully,
"Do you always talk this calmly?"
Onik replied,
"When the place is calm, the words follow."
Ira smiled.
"You're different, Onik."
Onik's eyes softened.
"You said you loved peaceful mornings… now I understand why."
The wind picked up again.
The swans drifted farther away, and the sunlight drew golden lines across the water.
Ira's hair fluttered in the wind—
and for a moment, time seemed to stop in Onik's eyes.
Later that day, the evening light filled the house in soft amber tones.
Ira stood on the balcony, a cup of coffee in her hand, watching Onik's car disappear down the road.
A faint smile touched her lips, but her eyes were filled with a quiet emptiness.
"Goodbye…" she whispered,
and her voice faded into the wind.
---
The Farewell
When Ira came inside, she found her father sitting on the sofa, her mother beside him.
Their faces were calm but weary, their eyes full of unspoken thoughts.
Surprised, Ira asked,
"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you both so quiet?"
Her mother hesitated for a moment, then spoke gently,
"Ira… your father and I are leaving for America. For four years."
Ira froze.
"What? America? But… what about me?"
Her mother sighed softly.
"We wanted to take you with us, dear, but we can't right now.
Your father needs to go for business—new branches, new work.
Once things are settled, we'll bring you there."
Ira's eyes glistened.
"So… I'll be alone?"
Her father stood and placed his hand on her head.
His voice was calm but full of affection.
"No, my daughter. You're never alone.
You're our brave girl.
We'll call you every day.
Four years will pass before you even know it."
Ira leaned her head on his shoulder.
"It'll still feel empty without you…"
Her mother came closer and held her gently.
"You are our pride, Ira.
Be strong, just as we've taught you.
Hold yourself together. Always."
---
Elsewhere…
The morning was still and hazy.
The sun had not yet risen completely.
Onik stood on the balcony, staring into the distance.
The trees swayed in the wind, and a strange restlessness filled the air.
From behind came his mother's voice—
"Onik…"
He turned to see both his parents standing there.
His mother's eyes held hesitation; his father's face was grave.
His father spoke slowly,
"There's something we need to tell you."
Onik pulled out a chair and sat down.
"What is it, Dad?"
For a moment, his mother said nothing. Then she finally spoke.
"We're leaving, Onik. For some time… maybe quite a while. Overseas."
Onik looked startled.
"Overseas? You're leaving? What about me?"
His father sighed.
"It's for work—business matters. We'll be gone for at least two years, maybe more.
You'll stay here, focus on your studies and your life.
You're grown up now, son."
Onik fell silent.
"So… I'll be alone?"
His mother stepped closer, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, dear. But we'll talk every day.
You know, life isn't always easy—
and sometimes, we have to learn strength by standing alone."
Onik nodded slightly, but his eyes dimmed with a quiet sadness.
Only one thought filled his mind—
Ira.
He didn't know why, but it felt as though this distance wasn't just about his parents—
something deeper was shifting in his life, something connected to her.
As his parents left the room, his mother paused to run her fingers through his hair.
"Everything will be fine, my son.
Some goodbyes… are just the beginning of something new."
Onik looked out the window.
The clouds parted, and sunlight streamed through—
and in that golden light, he could almost see her face…
Ira.
Ira and Onik were sitting on the large swing in front of the zamindar's house.
Ira rested her head on Onik's shoulder, and Onik, embarrassed, said nothing.
Ira (softly): "You know… my mom is leaving… and dad too."
Onik (in a gentle, drifting voice): "My parents are the same. We have a big duplex in Cox's Bazar… you can see the sea from there. That's where they want me to stay."
Ira (eyes wide, brow slightly furrowed): "What will I do all alone?"
Onik (laughing): "You can stay with me."
Ira (blushing slightly, smiling): "What are you saying? Is this Bangladesh, Europe… or what? We'll be together?"
Onik (grinning teasingly, moving his hand slightly): "Yes, together… if you want."
Ira laughed, a mix of joy and shyness in her eyes.
The swing rocked slowly, carrying the faint scent of the sea.
They sat together in silence for a while. The soft rustle of the breeze and the gentle sway of the swing filled the morning.
Suddenly, Ira playfully tugged at Onik's hair with sparkling eyes.
Ira (laughing): "Look at your hair… so beautiful!"
Onik (embarrassed but trying to keep a smile): "Hey… what are you doing? That hurts a bit!"
Ira laughed softly, a tender gleam in her eyes, and suddenly ran off the swing.
Onik (half amused, half embarrassed): "Hey! Stop… Ira!"
Ira looked back with playful, slightly shy eyes, her hair swaying in the breeze.
Onik ran after her, not wanting to lose her. They ran toward the edge of the swing by the pond, chasing each other playfully.
Ira (laughing mid-run): "See? You can't catch me!"
Onik (laughing, slightly embarrassed, running fast): "This time I will! You won't escape!"
They ran, laughter mixing with the breeze. The swing, the pond, and the swans in the distance seemed to dance along, watching their playful chase.
Ira suddenly stopped and looked back. Onik stopped too, extending his hand.
They gazed at each other and smiled, as if the entire morning had frozen just for them.
Ira (softly): "You know… I won't be alone. Not really."
Onik (smiling lightly): "No, you'll be with me. Always."
Ira ran behind him, eyes sparkling with laughter, and Onik slowly chased her. Suddenly, Ira paused.
Onik laughed: "You can't escape this time!"
And in the next moment, he scooped her up into his arms.
Ira (surprised, laughing): "Oh! You… what… hey!"
Onik (slightly embarrassed smile): "Relax, Ira… you can't run away now. You're with me."
Ira rested her hands on his shoulders, her hair spilling lightly. She smiled softly, a sweet shyness in her eyes.
The swing swayed slowly, the pond shimmered, and the sunlight turned everything golden.
Ira (softly): "How are you always so brave?"
Onik (smiling gently): "When you're by my side, courage comes naturally."
The morning slowly passed. The sweet moments between Ira and Onik, the gentle sway of the swing, the shimmering water—it all seemed frozen. But time waits for no one.
Ira's parents were preparing to leave.
Ira's mother (softly): "Ira, we're leaving now. Is everything okay?"
Ira nodded, a trace of sadness and affection in her eyes.
"Yes, Mom… everything's fine. But the house will feel empty without you."
Her father placed a hand on her head.
"We'll be far away, but we'll check on you every day. You're a brave girl."
Ira took a deep breath and smiled softly. Then, she slowly walked back to her house.
Onik knew it was also time for his parents to leave the country. He came to say goodbye to Ira.
Onik (softly, with a hint of emptiness in his eyes): "Ira… you'll have to stay with me in Cox's Bazar. Everything will be fine for you."
Ira (with a small tear, smiling softly): "What will I do alone?"
Onik nodded gently.
"You're not alone. Even if we're far away, we'll be close at heart. We'll talk every day."
Finally, Ira slowly walked back to her own home.
The house was quiet, but her mind felt an odd emptiness.
A breeze drifted through the open windows, and sunlight softly filled the room.
Onik slowly got into the car, heading toward Cox's Bazar.
The distant waves and sunlight seemed to remind Ira of him.
Ira knew this distance wasn't just physical.
A new chapter of their lives was beginning—where their relationship, playful shyness, and shared memories would grow in new ways.
After a long time, Ira finally arrived at that big duplex house in Cox's Bazar.
The morning sun was shining bright, and the soft waves of the sea gently kissed the shore before retreating again.
Ira stepped out of the car and slowly climbed up the stairs.
Just then, something funny happened—
the same rude bus conductor she'd met once before started an argument with her.
Rude boy (grinning): "Oh, you again? Looks like we'll keep running into each other."
Ira (annoyed, eyes wide): "I was just getting on the bus! Do you always bother people like this?"
The argument was more playful than serious, almost comical.
Ira (teasing): "Be careful! You'll probably blame me for your own mistakes next!"
Rude boy (laughing): "Alright, alright— I'm leaving!"
Ira shook her head, smiling faintly, and walked toward the upper door.
And right there—standing by the doorway—was Onik.
Onik (softly smiling): "Ira…"
Ira froze for a second.
It had been so long since their eyes had met.
The sea breeze, the sunlight, and their old memories—all seemed to blend into that single silent moment.
When Ira knocked on the door, Onik slowly opened it.
There was a quiet stillness between them, and then, a smile.
Ira (grinning): "You see? Even the bus conductor couldn't resist picking a fight with me again!"
Onik (laughing): "That's your luck—you always attract a little chaos."
Ira laughed softly and stepped inside the room.
For a moment, she just stood there, speechless—her eyes wide with wonder.
"Oh my God… it's beautiful," she whispered.
The large window opened out to a wide balcony, and from there—
the endless blue sea stretched before her eyes, the sunlight glittering on the waves like silver.
She walked slowly toward the balcony,
the sea breeze playing with her hair,
and her eyes filled with peace and quiet joy.
"It feels like… a dream," she murmured.
The salty scent of the ocean filled the air around her.
Standing by the railing, Ira watched the waves shimmer under the sunlight.
For a moment, it felt like all her worries had drifted away—
only her, the calm, and the endless blue horizon.
She smiled softly.
If only Onik were here right now… it would have been perfect.
And when she turned around—he was.
Onik stood behind her.
He was wearing a black shirt, slightly unbuttoned,
and the golden sunlight cast soft shadows across his shoulders.
His eyes held that same quiet warmth that made Ira's heart skip a beat.
Ira (with a shy smile): "Onik… you're here?"
Onik (stepping closer, voice low): "Yeah… it's been a long time since we watched the sea together."
Ira just looked at him—her eyes gleaming, her cheeks flushed.
The balcony, the sea, and his presence—everything felt like a dream frozen in time.
He leaned on the railing beside her.
"See?" he said softly.
"Everything's calm now—the sea, the air… and us."
Ira laughed quietly, the corners of her eyes glowing with warmth.
The sunlight and waves wrapped around them,
turning the moment into something tender and timeless.
Flashback
The soft light of sunset filled the old mansion's garden.
Ira was running, laughing, her hair flying in the wind.
Behind her, Onik shouted playfully—
"This time, you won't escape!"
Ira (teasing): "You'll never catch me!"
The air was full of laughter, the swing creaked gently,
and the golden light painted everything with warmth.
Then suddenly, Onik caught up—
and in one swift motion, he lifted Ira into his arms.
Ira (laughing in surprise): "Oh my—put me down! You're crazy!"
Onik (grinning): "No way. Once I've caught you, I'm not letting go."
Their laughter echoed across the garden.
Their shadows melted together beside the swing,
and the breeze carried that laughter through the air like a memory that never fades.
Back to the present
Ira opened her eyes.
The sound of the sea brought her back to reality.
She looked at Onik, smiling softly.
Ira (quietly): "You know… I still remember that day."
Onik (lowering his gaze, smiling): "I never forgot. I still see that swing sometimes."
The wind brushed against them gently.
Ira smiled, eyes sparkling mischievously.
Ira: "Really? I didn't know that…"
Onik (raising a brow): "What do you mean?"
Ira (grinning): "Just kidding."
Onik stared at her for a moment, then laughed quietly.
The same warmth, the same light—it felt like nothing had changed.
Onik: "You haven't changed at all, Ira."
Ira (tucking her hair behind her ear): "Neither have you… except for the black shirt."
They both laughed, their voices blending with the sound of the waves.
Beneath the blue sky, with sunlight and sea breeze around them,
the moment felt perfect—simple, soft, and endlessly beautiful