The Mark of Love, A Romantic Love
Title: “The Mark of Love”
Rafi was a poor boy from a small town. His father worked as a tailor with an old sewing machine, and his mother had passed away long ago. He had a younger sister in school, and to support his family, Rafi did part-time jobs—tutoring, helping at tea stalls, anything that helped them survive. But beyond all the struggles, he had a dream: to study hard, succeed, and change his family's fate.
On the other side of the world, there was Tanha—a girl raised in the heart of the capital city, in luxury and privilege. Her father was a prominent businessman. Tanha never had to struggle for anything—expensive schools, lavish lifestyle, and dreams paved in gold.
Their paths crossed at a national debate competition. Rafi had come from his modest college to represent his town, while Tanha arrived with her elite university team. When the results were announced, Rafi’s team came second, and Tanha’s team won first place.
But what caught Tanha's attention was not the trophy—it was Rafi’s words. His arguments were grounded, his voice confident, and his eyes... full of fire.
After the event, she approached him.
"Your logic was incredibly real. Do you study social science?"
Rafi smiled and replied, “No, I study English literature. But society is the story behind all literature.”
That simple exchange turned into friendship. Friendship turned into something deeper—an invisible thread binding two very different worlds.
Tanha would often talk to Rafi over the phone, meet him in public libraries or coffee shops. She was fascinated by his stories—of hardship, of resilience, of dreams built from dust. For her, it was like discovering a world beyond her own.
One day, Rafi asked her, “What will your family say if they find out you're friends with someone like me?”
Tanha paused. “Even if they find out, it doesn't matter. I know who you are, and that's what counts. The rest... is noise.”
But reality was louder than hope.
One evening, her father found one of their recorded phone calls. Enraged, he shattered her phone and roared,
“You're talking to a poor boy? Are you out of your mind? Do you know what this could do to our reputation?”
Tanha, eyes filled with tears, replied calmly, “Dad, Rafi is not what you think. He’s respectful, ambitious, and kind. Our friendship is nothing disgraceful.”
But her words fell on deaf ears. From that day, she was kept under close watch.
Rafi, too, felt the pressure. He realized how impossible their love seemed. So he made a decision—to let go.
On their final phone call, he said,
“I don’t want to be the reason you lose your world. I’ll go. But just know, you’ll always live in my heart.”
Years passed.
Rafi moved to Dhaka for higher studies. He worked hard, earned scholarships, and eventually went abroad. While studying there, he founded a small IT startup. With time, that little idea grew into a successful company.
Tanha, meanwhile, got involved in parts of her father’s business. Suitors came and went, but none ever felt right. Her heart remained in that one pair of honest eyes that had once said goodbye.
Five years later, a grand innovation conference was held in Dhaka. One of the keynote speakers was Rafi—the founder of a top tech startup, known across the country for his inspiring journey from poverty to prominence.
Tanha was there.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. The man standing on stage, speaking about hope and resilience, was her Rafi.
After the speech, she quietly made her way to him.
“You?” Rafi looked stunned.
“Yes, me. I never left. I’ve just been waiting,” she replied softly.
Rafi was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I thought you forgot.”
Tanha smiled, her eyes glistening. “Is love something you forget?”
No more words were needed. Their eyes spoke of years lost, pain endured, and a bond never broken.
Later, Tanha’s father approached Rafi, now aware of the man he had become. Extending his hand, he said,
“You’re the pride of our country. I was wrong.”
Thus, the wall between wealth and poverty crumbled before love’s quiet strength.
The End.
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