**Chapter 1:
The Strange Beginning**
Life sometimes writes stories that people cannot write even by their own will. "Two Drops of Water in a Vessel" is one such story—where there is love, friendship, sacrifice, mistakes, and a deep struggle of the heart.
The story of Babu and Hasna began with friendship. For almost five or six years, they were very close friends. They never explicitly mentioned love, but both of them became an inseparable part of each other's lives.
In a strange twist of fate, one day their families decided on a marriage. The surprising thing was that until just one hour before the wedding, neither of them knew that they would ultimately become companions.
When they learned the truth, both were initially a bit stunned. But gradually, a strange peace descended upon them. Because they realized that the person with whom they had shared friendship for so long was the one they had now received as a life partner.
After the wedding, their home transformed into a pure love story based on friendship.
Every day, Babu would take Hasna out after work; sometimes to the park, sometimes to a restaurant. They would talk, laugh, and spend their days in small joys. Watching them, it seemed as if they were falling in love anew each day.
But happy days never last long in the same way.
One day, Babu lost his job.
An economic crisis descended upon their home. Anxiety, uncertainty, and fear of the future enveloped them.
Yet, astonishingly, not a crack formed in their love during this difficult time. In fact, during those hard days, they grew closer to one another.
Just then, good news came.
Hasna was going to be a mother.
This news shone like a ray of light amidst all their struggles. The dream of the new arrival filled their hearts with joy.
Days passed. Hasna was gradually coming closer to the moment of motherhood.
According to social customs, she had to go to her father's house.
The farewell was very painful.
Before getting on the bus, Hasna's eyes welled with tears. She held Babu's hand tightly.
Sitting by the back right window of the bus, Hasna and Babu held hands through the window.
The bus slowly began to move.
But their hands didn't want to part.
Ultimately, they had to surrender to time, and their hands separated.
The bus drove away, and Babu stood there, staring intently in that direction.
He remained standing there until the bus disappeared from his sight.
Then he returned home in silence.
Now began the toughest time of his life.
To stand on his own again, Babu started working in outsourcing. He had to sit in front of the computer for most of the day.
During that time, the popular means of online communication were Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger.
One day, he received a nudge on Yahoo Messenger.
"Why do you stay online all day? Whenever I come online, I see you there."
Babu was initially a bit surprised but replied, "I have to stay online for work."
Thus began their conversation.
Gradually, Babu's acquaintance with that unknown girl named Shakila deepened.
What was most surprising was that Shakila and Babu lived almost in neighboring houses.
Yet, they had never seen each other, as Babu hardly ever left home.
One day, online, Shakila asked for Babu's mobile number. The next morning, she suggested they meet.
That was their first meeting.
What started as ordinary conversation gradually developed into a strange closeness.
Shakila's life was also filled with hardships. She had been married before and had a daughter from that marriage. But after her divorce, her life had become lonely and empty.
So, in Babu, she found a friend, a companion.
And this friendship gradually transformed into a relationship that surprised both of them one day.
Attraction, emotion, and the pull of loneliness brought them physically closer together.
Thus began the complicated story of three lives.
On one side was Babu's wife Hasna, who was waiting far away for the birth of their child.
On the other was Shakila, who was seeking refuge in love again amidst her broken life.
And standing in the middle was Babu—a man swaying between love, responsibility, and reality.
Through this triangular relationship started a strange struggle—
A struggle for the existence of love.
In the end, who will emerge victorious?
Love, responsibility, or time?
The answer lies in the last chapter of the novel "Two Drops of Water in a Vessel."
**(Continued in Chapter 2)**
Writer by
Salim Reza Bau