"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Anin said, driving the bike and turning his head slightly to apologize.
Teacher Wang asked what just happened. "I didn't notice the speed breaker," Anin replied. "I'm sorry for that."
With a kidding tone, Teacher Wang said, "Please keep me safe, because I have to go back to my country."
His casual words hit me hard. I realized I hadn't even thought to ask when he would return to China.
After a while we finally reached 300ft. The night was windy, and the long highway was busy with other bikers enjoying their time. I was watching them when Teacher Wang announced, "I bring something fun."
We looked at him as he brought out a few fireworks. I shouted with excitement. As we prepared to light them, other bikers approached, curious to see what we were doing. Teacher Wang and the other male teacher lit the fireworks and ran back towards us. We were laughing, recording, and waiting for the colorful explosions to light up the sky.
"Where are you from?" A girl from the group of bikers suddenly approached Teacher Wang and asked.
"China," he replied, looking at her while still recording the fireworks.
I saw Anin talking with the group. I walked over and told him, "Let's go to the Neela Market to let Teacher taste our cuisine. I talked to the other teachers, and they agreed."
"Okay," Anin said, saying goodbye to the bikers. I was already judging the exchange.
We were back on the road to the market when we heard the sound of many bikes behind us. We all looked back—it was the bikers, following us. They gradually drew nearer.
"Why are they following us? Did you tell them to join us?" I asked Anin.
"No, I didn't," he replied.
"Then why are they following us?"
"How am I supposed to know?" Anin answered, exasperated.
From the next bike over, the girl was waving at us.
"WHY ARE YOU GUYS FOLLOWING US?!" I shouted loud enough for them to hear.
A boy sitting behind the girl called back, "We want to join you!"
I rolled my eyes and turned my face away.
At Neela Market, we ordered all the famous local food to let Teacher Wang taste them one by one.
"I can't eat all these," he protested.
"You don't have to eat all," I replied. "Just taste from every food as much as you can."
As everyone started eating and gossiping, I turned my attention to the uninvited guests. "Why did you guys join us? We don't even know you. Do you have any intention?"
"Want to kidnap you," a boy replied casually while eating.
With a fluffy, angry face, I pulled Teacher Wang's hand up as he was about to put food in his mouth. "See the muscle, and his height!" I declared, showing off his arm. Teacher Wang looked once at me, and then down at the food hovering near his mouth.
"Your father is calling me," Anin suddenly said.
I immediately shot up, nearly knocking over my chair. Anin grabbed it and everyone looked at me. "Sit and finish eating, then we'll go back," he said.
I ate quickly, ignoring the others. The biker girl then asked Teacher Wang when he came to the country.
"Five months," I replied before he could speak, and everyone stared at me. I didn't care.
Then came the question I had dreaded but wanted to hear: "When will you go back to your country?"
Since I didn't know the answer, my ears stood up, desperate to catch his reply.
"It seems like you don't know," the girl smugly noted. I gave her an annoyed look.
"I will go back to China in half a year," Teacher Wang replied.
The food I was about to put in my mouth stopped midway. I put it down and asked in a low voice, "Won't you come back again?"
He looked at me. "I probably won't come to Bangladesh again. Because my contract is for a year."
I simply nodded, signaling I understood, unable to speak. I finished first and told Anin, "I'm done. Let's go, otherwise Dad will kill us." Anin put down his spoon and agreed. The teachers were finished, but still talking to the bikers.
As we prepared to leave, the girl told us, "You guys go ahead. We'll take your teacher home after we finish talking."
I turned to her with a serious face. "No thanks. He is our guest. We brought him here. And it's already so late. It's our responsibility to take him back to his place safely. Strangers don't need to worry about it."
I took a possessive hold of his hand, signaling Anin and the other teachers to walk towards the bikes.