"You're right, Mr. Monish. We're just some guerrilla soldiers — easily discarded and disposable. Hoping to get any pension is a daydream. But still, even soldiers need to rest now that the war is over. Yet how can one truly rest with an empty stomach?" Fayez spoke nonchalantly, but his words hit the young man hard, reminding him of the grim reality.
"You speak like you're older than me boy," the young man scoffed.
"So, may I have the pleasure of knowing your name, Mr. big boy?" Fayez asked sarcastically.
"I'm Zakaria. Just a truck driver. Not some brave soldier like you," Zakaria replied humbly.
"Every person who contributed to this war is a brave soldier." Fayez responded.
Zakaria nodded slowly. "So, what do you want us to do? Just drive the truck or something more?"
"No, it's more than that. Your missions will be flexible. I won't lie — sometimes it may involve smuggling or stealing," Fayez said cautiously, watching their reactions.
"The whole country is a lawless zone now. Thinking too much about morality won't earn you bread."
Mr. Monish said while jakaria only nodded.
"Our first mission begins this afternoon. Make sure you stay at the house until then. May Allah bless you," Fayez instructed, then left the place.
"That kid… the horrors of war must have matured his brain. He ordered us like a superior officer," Jakaria commented.
Later at lunchtime, Fayez, Fahmid, and some comrades gathered in the dining room. Mr. Monish and Zakaria sat as guests — technically they're comrades too.
"Slow down, big bro Jakaria. The food isn't going anywhere. Uncle Monish, why the gloomy face? Dig in," Fahmid, the talkative one, said with a cheerful smile.
"Many of us don't know each other. Why don't we introduce ourselves?" Fayez suggested.
"I'm Fayez. A veteran and aspiring to be an entrepreneur."
"I'm Fahmid and I want to be a comedian," fahmid laughed like he told a great joke.
"I'm Rakib. Used to study chemistry in Dhaka University. I want to become a researcher."
"I'm Mashrafi. A matric examinee. I want to open a school in my village." - The topper guy mashrafi really have noble ambition.
"I'm Reza, an accountant and a former bureaucrat. I want to help rebuild the nation"
It's rare to find a bureaucrate who one who actually wants to serve the people rather than indulging with corruption.
"I'm Ahsan, an art student from the Art Institute. I created some paintings during the war. I'll show you later."-
Everyone's interest piqued but refrained from asking question during introduction.
"I'm Monish. Was a delivery man for Haque Company. Now… just jobless."
Without slightest bit of interest mr. monish replied just for formality.
"I'm Zakaria. Student of agriculture University." Everyone was surprised to learn that he was a student of a top university.
After lunch, the eight of them gathered for a meeting. Fayez laid out a map of Dhaka and the surrounding regions.
"We have three important missions:
Safeguarding the Tongi Jute Mill — There shouldn't be any military retaliation. Just ensure to guard the place before reopening.
Collecting cotton from a warehouse near Dhaka — Be cautious. If bribery solves the problem, don't hesitate. Avoid direct conflict otherwise we'll receive too much attention.
Acquiring textile machines and hiring professional technicians from Narayanganj — Avoid central roads. Take the forest route. Mr. liton will personally assist with this."
He added, "There's also a crucial mission — smuggling grain from india through north-western regions near Dinajpur. A famine might be coming. Its best to stockpile grains."
The term of famine used to be an unknown concept for the people of Bengal. once the land which was called the 'Granary of the East' was devastated by rulers who prioritized profits over people. From the Turks to the British — each regime worsened the situation. The 1770 famine killed one-third of the population. The British further crippled our industries and forced farmers to grow indigo ruining fertility. The 1943 man-made famine, caused by British during WWII, killed tens of millions.Even though Japanese never invaded us . We became the worst sufferer of war.
After 1947, Pakistan exploited East Bengal just the same. If this continues, another famine will strike in 1972–73.