1. A Routine of Worry
In a corner of the city, in a dilapidated old apartment, lives Mr. Arman. He is nearly fifty-five. Every morning, when most of the city is still draped in deep sleep, he must wake up. His day begins with a cup of watery tea and a mountain of anxiety. The grocery list grows longer by the day, but the depth of his pockets remains the same.
Arman works as an accountant in a small private firm. The job offers neither prestige nor a grand salary. However, if those few bills don't arrive at the end of the month, his family of four will come to a standstill. His eldest son, Sajib, is at university, and his daughter, Mim, is preparing for her SSC exams. In the grind of managing their education and household expenses, Arman sacrificed his own dreams and desires a long time ago.
2. A Story Hidden Behind Sacrifice
One day, Arman was severely delayed at work. It was 10:00 PM. He had only twenty taka left in his pocket. If he paid for the bus fare, he would have nothing. Mim had called him earlier, saying, "Dad, could you bring a packet of biscuits on your way back? I'm feeling very hungry."
Instead of boarding the bus, Arman started walking. It was a four-kilometer journey. His body was drenched in sweat and his feet ached, but Mim's smiling face kept flickering in his mind. He thought to himself that with those twenty taka, he could buy the biscuits so his daughter could at least sleep peacefully. He completely forgot about his own hunger. This is the war of life—where one's own needs always lose to the smiles of loved ones.
3. The Onset of the Storm
Life never moves in a straight line. A massive blow hit Arman's life when he went to the office one day and learned that the company was facing heavy losses. They had started a layoff process, and his name was at the top of the list. It felt as if the ground had been snatched from beneath his feet.
Returning home, he couldn't utter a word to anyone. In the drawing-room, Sajib was busy on his laptop, and Mim was studying. His wife, Rehana, was making rhythmic sounds in the kitchen while preparing dinner. Only Arman knew of the dark clouds gathering over this organized household. That night, as he put his head on the pillow, he wept—but silently. Middle-class men aren't supposed to let their tears make a sound.
4. A New War Begins
From the next day, a new battle began for Arman. Every morning, he would dress neatly, put on his tie, and leave home as if he were heading to the office. In reality, he was wandering from door to door in search of a job. Sometimes under the scorching sun, sometimes in the rain. Standing on the sidewalk in the midday heat, he swallowed his pain instead of water.
A month passed. Whatever savings they had were dwindling. One day, Sajib asked him, "Dad, are you feeling unwell? You look so exhausted." Arman smiled—a strange, faint smile. He said, "No, son, it's just a bit of extra pressure at work, that's all."
This act of lying to hide one's agony is perhaps the greatest sacrifice a father can make.
5. Patience and Redemption
After several grueling days, Arman found a job as a proofreader at a small publishing house. The salary was lower than before, but the work was dignified. He didn't lose heart. At night, after everyone else had fallen asleep, he took on extra work, checking scripts or tutoring.
After months of backbreaking labor and immense patience, the day finally came when Mim achieved a "Golden A+" in her SSC exams, and Sajib managed to find a part-time job, handing over his first month's salary to his father. Tears of joy welled up in Arman's eyes. He realized that the battle of life isn't just about earning money; it's about surviving without giving up. It's about keeping the family bond intact, even in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as a final end to the war of life; it is a continuous process. Thousands of people like Arman are fighting silently every day. Their stories feature no superheroes—only a heart full of courage and mountain-like patience.
The Lessons of the Story:
Patience: One must not lose hope during difficult times.
Hard Work: Success is inevitable if one works with honesty.
Family: In the end, the love and unity of a family are the greatest strengths in any battle.
Arman Saheb no longer worries as he once did. He knows that storms will come, but the strength to stop those storms lies within oneself. Despite the thousands of stumbles on this long road of life, the act of standing up and walking again is what defines "Life." Every soldier in this war is an unsung victor.