The Accident

It was on those exciting days, when I went to England for my Class I, Master Mariners examination. I was accompanied by my ex-wife Shewly. Everything went well, exam. was fine. We just returned from England awaiting my results. To make the use of this leisure, Shewly and myself planned to visit her immediate younger sister Kakoly.

Kakoly was married to an army Captain. Her husband Hasan was posted in Chittagong Cantonment at that time. They had a cute son Tonmoy. All of them were staying in an apartment provided by the Army.

We drove by a car from Dhaka towards Chittagong. It was a sunny day. From the starting of the journey, the incidents happened proved to be bitter. At that time I didn't believe in luck. But the signs were pointing towards a black future, which I feel now. I had some "upset stomach". I had to rush to the toilet for a number of times. But I took some medication and started the journey boldly. Shewly's more younger sister Chamely, younger brother Jamil, she and myself started for Chittagong. Should mention, one of my junior from 20th batch named Mohsin gladly accepted to accompany us.

The journey was fine. Me and my wife switching over in the driving seat (I recently taught Shewly how to drive a car). But, most of the time I was driving. The highway was brand new and smooth.

In Chittagong, Kakoly and Hasan was very happy to see us. Because it was a surprise visit. For about three to four days, we spent with enjoying ourselves. Some day we visited sea beach, and the other day we visited my brother Azam's Naval Base. Mohsin, on arrival went to stay in his relatives house in Naval Base.

It was very hot for more than 7 days. Not a bit of rain, dull & humid. I was taking showers many times a day.

One day, while visiting Captain Hasan's friend in BMA (Bangladesh Military Academy), who was instructor over there I saw a swimming pool in the BMA campus. It was filled with clean & clear water, that made me greedy to take a swim. I couldn't ever imagined that, this greediness will take away my ability.

Anyway, I was so much exhausted with the hot climate that, I expressed my intention to Hasan. I said - I wish, I could swim in that swimming pool. Then my body would have cooled down.

Captain Hasan said - No problem, we will come back here tomorrow and have swim and have fun.

I said - Forget it Hasan, I don't want to bother you.

Hasan said - Oh. Shahidul Bhai, I am a Army person. There will be no problem if you want to swim there. We shall come back tomorrow and fulfil your desire.

So it was all settled, we shall have a swim in the afternoon and then go to a Chinese restaurant to have some good food after getting hungry like hell. My brother Azam was also invited.

On the Accident Day

That day was very dull and hot. I took shower for number of times, still couldn't tolerate the hot and humid whether. We started in the afternoon towards that swimming pool. It takes about 15 minutes to reach there from Hasan's house. In the midway, there is one nice little golf court. It attracts tourists for its natural beauty. We halted there just to have some fun. We were 7 in number - Hasan, Kakoly, Chamely, Jamil, Tonmoy, Shewly & myself. The number was lucky, but the consequence was unlucky.

After jumping and walking little bit over there we started again. There was a very high place on the way which is called Eagles peek or something like that. From there, one can have a look at the swimming pool clearly. And, "far from the madding crowd" - the sea beaches & most of Chittagong city. Everything was visible from that high place. We halted there and got down from the car. When we ascended the peek, the Cadets were swimming in that swimming pool.

So Hasan said - Let's wait for them to finish off.
We all agreed.

But, it was getting darker. The sun was already on the sea line. Still the Cadets were swimming. We waited and waited. It got more darker. At last, they finished off just after the evening.

We started again. When we reached the swimming pool, a Sentry was on duty. He refused to let us to go into the swimming pool. But, Captain Hasan insisted him about his identity and forced him to let us go into the swimming pool.

We went to take a bath in the showers, prior to take a swim. After taking shower I came outside, and saw nobody except my wife Shewly sitting in the stairs of the swimming pool. She submerged her legs in the water swaying those inside water and smiling at me.
OK, dive. She said.

I dived with a hazy instinct. And, that's it.

I couldn't move any single thing inside the water. Not hands, not legs... nothing. I thought it was my end of life. So, how does it feel during death, I was thinking.

Two, three minutes passed. I heard Shewly's voice. "What happened to you, why you are not moving". I took my first sip of water to take breath. "Look, Hasan, what happened to him".

Very soon Hasan & Jamil strangled my heavy body up.

I took my breath & spoke "I cannot move anything..."

[ Go Top ]