Torn Hearts (Story of Lost Love)
Author: Nahid Hasan
Once upon a time in a quaint village on the banks of the Padma River lived two souls whose hearts were intertwined by destiny. Khaled and Shireen were childhood sweethearts, their love blooming like vibrant wildflowers adorning village fields. Their love was a melody that played in the hearts of the villagers, a love that seemed to last forever.
Khaled was a fisherman, as strong and resilient as the river that raised him. Shirin, on the other hand, was the village baker's daughter, known for her grace and charm. Despite their differences, they shared a love that transcended the boundaries of their upbringing. Their dream was to build a life together, a simple life filled with love, laughter and the smell of freshly baked bread.
But fate had other plans. One fateful night, a terrible storm descends on the village. The Padma river roared like a wounded beast, and villagers huddled in their houses seeking shelter from the storm. Khaled, however, was out at sea, his boat caught in a storm. Shirin stood by the river, her heart heavy with worry as she watched the waves engulf her beloved's silhouette.
Days turned into painful weeks, and hope dwindled like the village's dwindling food supply. Shireen refuses to believe that Khaled is gone forever. He visited the river bank daily, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of his return. The villagers whispered that his love had driven him mad, but he paid them no mind.
One chilly morning, as the Prothom-alo of dawn kissed the village, shouts of joy rang out from the riverbank. Shirin wrapped her tattered shawl and pointed to the horizon. In the distance, a small boat emerged, battered but afloat. Khaled was back, a living miracle in the storm's wreckage.
The whole village rejoiced at their reunion, and it seemed as if love had conquered the storm. But as the days turned into months, it became clear that something had changed between the Khaleds. He was no longer the man who sailed through the storm. His eyes, once full of life, now have a distant, haunted look.
Shireen tried to rekindle the flame of their love, but Khaled's heart had become a fortress, protected by the horrors he had seen at sea. He moved away from her, spent the day repairing his boat by the river, his mind lost in the boundless expanse of the Padma. Shirin was upset when she saw that she was moving like sand with her fingers.
One evening, when the golden glow of the sun appeared on the riverbed, Khaled spoke to Shirin in a regretful voice. He confesses that during the storm, he clung to a piece of driftwood, half-conscious and delirious, certain that he was about to meet his end. In those dark times, he made a promise to the river, a promise he believed saved his life. He vowed to sacrifice his love for Padma Shirin in exchange for his life.
Shireen was devastated, tears streaming down her face after hearing Khaled's confession. She pleaded with him to break this terrible deal, but Khaled was adamant. He believed that breaking his promise would spell doom for the village and their love.
With a heavy heart, Shireen realizes that her love for Khaled is not enough to save her. He saw her depart for the last time, leaving her behind, her torn heart bound forever in the Padma River. Villagers whisper that the river has claimed Khaled's soul, leaving only a human shell.
Years passed, and Shirin lived a quiet life, her bakery filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread, but her heart was forever haunted by the lost love of her youth. She never married, because no one could replace the place Khaled held in her heart.
And so, in that quiet village on the banks of the river Padma, two hearts remained torn apart - one bound in the depths of the river, and the other yearning forever for a love lost in the stormy waters. A torn heart, torn apart by fate, is a love that can never be restored, but will forever echo in the river's whisper.
