Duty-Love and a Strange Smile

Duty-Love and a Strange Smile –
Written by – Ashish kumer banik
(This reflection is based on a real-life experience personally witnessed by the author.
Names and certain details have been adapted to protect privacy while preserving the essence of the story)

A few days ago, I suddenly met a friend on the road.
When I asked him how he was, he just smiled.
There seemed to be a secret in that smile. I started searching for the reason for that smile.
The friend said—
“Come on, let’s walk without standing. I will tell you a short story as we walk.”
I was a little surprised. We both started walking.
And he started saying—
“I have always been indifferent to washing my clothes since childhood. I found the task very boring. When my mother was alive, my mother would wash it. When my mother was not there, my younger sister. Then my sister got married. I also became a family man. But the habit didn’t go away.
How can I tell my wife? What if she doesn’t take it normally? What if she gets angry?
Will it continue like this?”
One day, I came up with a plan.
I put 200 taka in my pants pocket and 100 taka in my shirt pocket. Then I said to my wife —
“My sweet, I am in a hurry. Please take the time to wash these clothes with soap.”
My wife did not object.
I returned in the evening and found them sparkling clean.
My wife said with a smile —
“I have washed them very well. Listen, there is no need to put them in the laundry. It is an unnecessary expense. Leave them, I will wash and iron them.”
I smiled to myself.
But another question started swirling inside me —
What did my wife think when she got the money in her pocket?
Did she think —
I trust her?
I want to reward her for her hard work?
Or — I am testing her attraction to money?
My wife herself put an end to all my thoughts.
She returned the money she found in her pocket and said with a wonderful smile —
“ Not money… I love you. I want to take your responsibility.”
I paused for a moment.
The voice became soft—
“I felt very ashamed inside. I said in a weak voice — Sorry, my love.”
“You know, friend, a relationship doesn’t last with money alone. Sincere trust, mutual understanding, delegation of responsibility and love—all of these together build a beautiful family. Money only builds bridges there, not a foundation.”
While talking, we came to a crossroads.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said—
“Go, friend, see you later.”
Saying this, he got on a moving city bus and left.
I stood there for a long time.
A stifled breath came out of my chest.
I said to myself—
“It’s not a lie, friend.”

Written by – Ashish kumer banik
(This reflection is based on a real-life experience personally witnessed by the author.
Names and certain details have been adapted to protect privacy while preserving the essence of the story)