Md. Nomaan Sarker

Translated by Nuren Noorain

It’s a sunny day. Everyone is playing in the playground. Albert is sitting in a corner. All his friends were playing baseball. But he wasn’t.

The excitement and celebrations of the audiences of two teams were all over the ground. But that wasn’t making any difference to him. Afternoon passed by. The match ended. Everyone left the ground. But Albert didn’t. He was still sitting there.

Evening faded. His elder sister Daisy was looking for him. On her way she met Albert’s friend, Jake. He said that Albert was sitting in playground all alone and didn’t even talk anyone. When his sister asked the reason, he replied that Albert didn’t get good marks in the exam. That’s why he was upset since morning.

Daisy went there and saw Albert sitting in a corner of the playground. She asked him, ‘Hey, what are you doing here? Don’t wanna go home?’’

Albert looked back and saw Daisy standing there. He said,’ Yeah, let’s go.’

His face is gloomy. They headed for home. There was an uncomfortable silence between them.

`You’re really upset Albert, aren’t you?’

Albert looked at Daisy. Daisy had started college that year. There was a lot of change in her . All of a sudden she started to act like a mature. She kinda talks like mom.

Daisy seems like a stranger. Once Albert thought that some evil spirit got in to her.

Moreover she had started wearing glasses. Just for style of course. But it made her look like an old hag.

“Albert! Why are you so quiet? Mum said that you didn’t even have lunch. Let me buy you a burger. You know what, there is an amazing fast food shop near.

I am not hungry.

She stopped. Albert, just because you didn’t do well in the exam that doesn’t mean you’ll act like this. You haven’t eaten anything since morning. Now if you fall sick, whose loss is this. Yours or mine?

He’s just standing like a numb.