A Love Story

I’m a pretty simple guy. I grew up under a mix of strict rules and affection. Out of fear I might go astray, my mother kept me at home, hardly ever letting me go outside. If I ever did leave the house, it was only with a family member. Let me mention this up front—I’m the youngest boy in our family. Maybe that’s why everyone cherishes me the most.

Anyway, as I was saying, I’ve always been neutral. You know what I mean, right? I’m not ahead of anyone, but not behind either. But, if someone treats me badly for no reason, I do eventually get even—so subtly that the other person doesn’t even realize it. However, if I genuinely like someone, I usually forgive them. For example, I often forgive my best friend Sagar. Lately, though, I’ve been avoiding him. How much can you tolerate? Everything has its limits! But the main reason I’ve started to avoid him is that I’m afraid I might end up hurting him. In this matter, I’m sure—I repay almost everything. One day, if I get angry with him, I might start settling scores, which won’t be pleasant for either of us.

I’ve never been in love before. I honestly don’t even know how people fall in love. How do boys and girls sit together and spend hours just talking? Where do they find so much to say? Once, I asked an older friend about this and he said, “Fall in love first, then you’ll understand where all those words come from.” Love, huh? Like I’d ever do that! Nothing could be more surprising. But maybe I have something attractive in my appearance, because whenever I go somewhere new, girls usually approach me first and start a conversation. Of course, in the end, we talk, even become friends, but it never turns into love. Don’t ask me why—it just never happens! But I have noticed, they trust me a lot. They do things in front of me that they’d never dare do if I were another guy—another might take advantage, but not me. No matter what, I’ve never felt any improper attraction toward a female friend. Why is that, I wonder?

The first time I met her was in front of the elevator. She was standing there alone. As I joined the line behind her, she turned and locked eyes with me for a couple of seconds. That’s all it took—my whole world got flipped upside down. I still remember—there was a question in her gaze, as if she was searching for some answer in my eyes. She looked at me with such deep curiosity. Even now, thinking about it gives me goosebumps. That day, I tried not to pay attention to my feelings. I thought it was just a passing crush, like the ones you get when you see attractive girls. But I realized later it was different. I started feeling restless all the time! Especially every evening, when the sun sets and the birds sing, making everything feel just a little bit melancholic—that’s when I think of her. The way she looks down when she speaks, that shy blush on her cheeks—it all comes to mind. She always wears a fatuya top. Every time I see her—it’s the fatuya. Sometimes different designs, but always a fatuya. Funny, isn’t it?

At last, I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided to reach out. After asking around, I found out she also studies at our university, but in the Pharmacy department, not CSE. But here’s the thing—she’s not Bengali, she’s Afghan! That was a shock. To be honest, I always felt a bit of aversion towards Bengali girls, and now here’s a total foreigner. How wild might she be? Only God knows. But the more I saw her, the more I noticed her mannerisms, the more convinced I became that she strangely resembled the girl from my dreams. Ever since I was little, I’d dreamed up an imaginary girlfriend—someone I thought could never exist. I always doubted that such a kind and gentle girl could be found anywhere on earth. But Sara Habibia started to change my mind. Slowly, I started to think—I can’t live without this girl.

One day, I got her phone number and started texting her. But… there was no response! Unbelievable! I never thought someone could just ignore so many messages. Shows how little you really know people! At last, one day, I called her directly.

Ah, she’s coming today… to meet me. At first, she wouldn’t even agree to talk to me. What a scolding I got! “I am not that kind of girl, what you are thinking!” I was speechless. After a lot of persuasion, I finally got her to agree to at least meet up. Since we’re in the same university, what’s the harm in meeting? But I know she’ll like me—after all, I’m first-class.

Yes, there she is, standing on the ground floor of Banani Market, just like we arranged. She’s wearing a fatuya again, with a bag slung over her shoulder. Her cheeks are flushed—out of shyness, or maybe she’s angry? Whatever it is, I need to talk to her today. Otherwise, I may never get another chance.

I walked up to her. Today, I noticed closely—she’s as tall as my shoulders. I’d never been this close before. I offered her a stick of tuberose. She looked at me in surprise. She’s seen me around university for a long time, but she probably never guessed I’m the same guy who loves her like a lunatic. Her lips were trembling. With a wave of hope, I looked into her beautiful eyes. But… what’s this? Her eyes were filled with fear!

“You!” she almost whispered in English.

“Yes,” I replied in a deep voice.

“But, how is this possible!” For some reason, Sara was afraid. She stared at me, eyes wide in shock.

“Why not?” Pain seemed to burst from my chest. I’d thought of everything, except for what she must be thinking now. My eyes must have turned red; I felt smoke rising from my ears.

“But you’re a robot! I can’t have a relationship with you…” she screamed.

“Listen…” I tried to reach out to her. But she jerked her hand away and ran off.

I sighed. Yes, I’m a robot. But so what? The finest robot in Bangladesh. We are designed to learn like humans, and scientists have successfully programmed us to feel love too. But loving isn’t enough—you need to be close to the one you love. Shouldn’t they have thought about that?

This story is fictional, but not completely!