The morning arrived. Ira woke up to the sound of the gentle sea breeze. There was no longer any exhaustion on her face, but rather the vitality of a new life. She looked beside her and saw her baby sleeping on the bed, right next to her. Seeing the innocent face of her little fairy, a smile played on Ira's lips.
Right next to her, Onik was fast asleep. Perhaps he had stayed awake all night watching over Ira and the baby, so he was sleeping peacefully in the early dawn.
Ira carefully got out of bed. She took clean clothes and went straight to the bathroom. Ira showered immediately after waking up and emerged refreshed. With her damp hair, she looked like a stunning mother today.
After showering, she went to the kitchen. Humming a song happily, she prepared breakfast. She made Onik's favorite—fried eggs, hot roti, and suji. The sweet aroma of food spread throughout the house.
After setting the table, she returned to the bedroom. She saw the father and daughter still deep in sleep in the same position. She pulled the window curtain slightly to let the morning light touch them. Ira knew they had fought the whole world for this small piece of peace. Today, their home was complete, and their dream was fulfilled.
A Sacred Start and "Nilkantha" Tea
Ira's heart was filled with a strange spiritual tranquility. She stood beside Onik and wanted to start the day with a sacred message. She played a beautiful Arabic prayer (dua) on her mobile video. A magical melody began to resonate in the room. At the touch of that divine sound, Onik's sleep slowly began to break.
Onik opened his eyes to find Ira standing by his head, smiling. Hearing the melody of those Arabic words, Onik's mind became calm. He understood that through this beautiful message, Ira was seeking blessings for their new life.
Then Ira went back to the kitchen to prepare something special. To remove their fatigue and refresh their bodies, she made Nilkantha Tea (Butterfly Pea Tea). As she poured the blue herbal tea into glass cups, the color looked as enchanting as the blue saree Ira was wearing.
Ira (Handing the cup to Onik): "Good morning. Here is your blue tea. Listen to this melody; it will bring many blessings and peace for us and our little fairy."
Onik: "Ira, you are truly unique. This morning will remain one of the best mornings of my life."
Memories of Dhaka University
Sipping his tea, Onik looked out the window. Ira's words brought a flash of thousands of memories to her eyes.
Ira: "Onik, do you remember those days? Before our marriage, when you and I were at Dhaka University?"
Onik smiled. How could he forget? Curzon Hall, Arts Building, and the chats at TSC—everything flashed before his eyes.
Ira: "That day, I wore a blue saree just like this. You said I looked ethereal. Remember how we sat on the grass of Mall Chattar and dreamed? You said one day you'd be a big officer, and I'd be by your side in a blue saree."
Onik: "Yes, Ira, I remember. Back then, we only dreamed, but we had to struggle so much to fulfill those dreams. We sat in the corners of the library talking secretly so no one would see! Those days of love brought us here."
Ira: "Today, we are so far from that campus, yet our love is exactly the same. So many obstacles came—religion, family—but our 'blue saree' and your determination to become an 'officer' didn't let us lose."
The Pain of the Past: A Father's Absence
The sweet moments suddenly turned somber. Thinking of university days reminded Ira of her father. The father who once loved her dearly but had withdrawn in anger after learning of their relationship.
Then Ira began to cry. Her tears fell onto the pallu of her blue saree.
Ira (Sobbing): "Onik, today we have everything... but my father didn't get to see it. If he were alive, would he still not have forgiven me? Would he not have held my baby even once?"
Ira (Voice trembling): "Remember the last day when Father found out? In his rage, he slapped me. I left the house with that red cheek. I thought he would never understand. But now that I am a mother, I realize how much pain and right were behind that slap. My daughter never got the chance to see her grandfather!"
Onik held her close. "Ira, don't cry. Father is perhaps watching from above. He loved the color blue. If he saw you in this saree today with this little girl, he would forget all his anger."
The Final Forgiveness
Three days later, they returned to Dhaka. It was a heavy sigh for Ira. Before leaving for Japan, one unfulfilled task haunted her.
The sky over Dhaka was gray. Ira wore a white kameez with deep blue work on the inside. Her white scarf (orna) was flying in the breeze, and stray hairs fell over her face. Her entire consciousness was now merged with this mound of earth.
Ira stood before her father's grave, weeping uncontrollably. She knelt beside the grave and touched the dust.
Ira: "Forgive me, Father... please forgive your stubborn girl. I left in anger after your slap, but now as a mother, I see the love hidden in that discipline. I am going far away today. Bless me, Father, so that wherever your daughter is, she can live with her head held high with the values you gave her. I love you so much, Father!"
Onik stood behind her with their daughter. When Ira wiped her eyes and stood up, the blue within her white dress seemed to signal a new tranquility.
The Last Farewell to Mother
The whole house was drowned in a mournful silence. The flight to Japan was only a few hours away.
Ira hugged her mother and broke into tears. This was the mother who had protected her through everything.
Ira (Sobbing): "Ma, I'm leaving... it's breaking my heart to leave you alone in this house. How will you stay? Who will you talk to when you miss us?"
Mother: "Silly girl! Why would I be alone? Seeing you both successful and living with honor abroad is my greatest achievement. Don't cry; your tears will scare my granddaughter."
Onik touched his mother-in-law's feet to seek her blessings. "Ma, don't worry. We will call as soon as we arrive. In a few months, we will arrange for you to come to Japan too."
As Ira got into the car, she kept looking back. Her mother stood on the veranda, wiping her eyes with her saree and waving. Wearing the white scarf over her white and blue dress, as Ira saw her mother for the last time through the car window, she felt she wasn't just leaving her country—she was leaving a part of herself behind.
The car started moving. The blue sky of Japan was calling them, but the image of her mother's teary eyes and blessings remained etched in her heart.