Friday, 29 March, 2024, 3:58 AM
Advance Search
Home

A Memorable Mix-Up

Published : Saturday, 24 December, 2022 at 12:00 AM  Count : 321

A Memorable Mix-Up

A Memorable Mix-Up

Not all misunderstandings leave an indelible pleasant impression on people's mind. However, those that impress linger more than others and give immense pleasure in recalling at leisure.

This scribe went to a commercial bank at Motijheel C/A for the issuance of a bank draft in favour of the Income Tax Office.

Unaccustomed to the clerical aspect of the process, he decided to make good use of his senior citizen status and get it done by one of the bank officials.

He thus walked up to a row of young male, female officers and probationers, all engaged in their official duties---attending to the particular needs of the bank clients.

He approached a table from where a gentleman was about to leave after wrapping up his business with an officer, a young lady in her late 20s.

"Ma, could you do me a favour"? He requested the slim and graceful young lady as she was clearing her table for the next client.

Startled by the address 'Ma', she looked at the elderly man, sprang to her feet, lowered her gaze and covered her head with one end of her Urna and replied in a quivering voice,  "Please take your seat, Sir and tell me what you need."

Moved by her unexpected good gesture, he told her what he needed in sentences punctuated with the word 'Ma' several times and handed over a piece of paper that contained the particulars for the draft along with the amount of money.

"Oh no, please keep the money with you, Sir. I shall ask for it later," she said apologetically.

She brought out a folder file from the cabinet and started scribbling on several pages. As she was jotting down, she was also mindful of her Urna not to slip from her head and expose her hair. She touched her head at least twice with her left hand to make sure that it was still in place while completing the paperwork.

He wondered if she had mistaken him for someone else. Who could that person be?

Why was she so courteous and polite in her behaviour towards an elderly person like him, whom she doesn't even know? He questioned himself.

 He did not try to interrupt her to clear her misunderstanding fearing undue delay in getting his work done. Instead, he looked for other means to get to the bottom of it.

For the first time he looked at her in search of an answer. She wore practically no make-up, except a dab of lipstick, perhaps. Had two small earrings on her ears, a thin gold chain, or could be an imitation, on her neck and an inexpensive quartz wristwatch on her left hand.

She wore no nose pin, wedding ring or bangles, the three telltale signs of a married Bengali Muslim woman.  

So, she must be unmarried! And in all likelihood from a middle class, conservative Bengali Muslim family, he concluded.

In that case, she must have been told at home to expect a visit by a senior male member of her recent suitor's family at her office anytime soon, he thought.

She may have also been reminded to dress modestly and be respectful to elders at all time, he surmised.

He couldn't think of any other reason for her graceful attitude.

And even if what he thought was the case, how much he wished it was one of her would-be in-laws that visited her in the guise of a client and get impressed by the modesty of their future bride on that day instead of this scribe!
The writer is Joint News Editor, The Daily Observer






Latest News
Most Read News
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: info©dailyobserverbd.com, news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
  [ABOUT US]     [CONTACT US]   [AD RATE]   Developed & Maintenance by i2soft