amela Qur’an 2:216 “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.” The line of track that ran behind their house was a river of iron and rumor. It carried gossip and grain, …
entry #2 Day 4 of this lower back pain saga! It all started last Wednesday during my morning workout—those bent-over rows really did a number on me. Ever since, I’ve been struggling to stand straight, but oddly enough, sitting or lying down feels totally fine. It’s frustrating not to be able to hit the gym …
The Quiet of What Remains Afnan woke to the familiar buzz of the phone on the bedside table, a sound that had become part of mornings in the same way a dull ache settles into the body. The name on the screen blinked. Oni. A reminder of last night’s argument, which had stretched late into …
the quiet simmer The rain had arrived, as it always did in the monsoon, with no warning but the thickening of the air. It was late, and the city of Dhaka held its breath, suspended in the heavy humidity, before the first drop struck the windows. Rayhan stood barefoot on the cool mosaic tiles of …
entry #1 So, let me just say, today’s not been the best day. Like every morning, I hit the gym—same routine, same intensity. But things took a turn while I was doing bent-over rows. I felt something strange in my lower back. You know that moment when you can just tell something’s off? Yeah, that …
a year of challenges and growth in 2023 Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Growth and Change As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to look back at the moments that have shaped this year. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, filled with challenges, growth, and a commitment to my own well-being …
moving out Fifty days ago, at 41, I made the difficult decision to leave my family home, walking away from years of emotional and physical abuse. My relationship with my father and sister had become toxic, draining my spirit and eroding my sense of self. Leaving wasn’t easy, but it was the step I needed …
happy birthday Forty years ago, in a fleeting moment of passion, my parents brought me into this chaotic, beautiful, and often repulsive world. There’s a family album that once held proof of my grand first birthday celebration, but it’s long lost to time. When my mom was diagnosed with her second brain tumor, she destroyed …
what I eat in a day Every morning, at 5:30, I get up. I start by having two glasses of warm water mixed with lemon juice. I wash up, I pray, and I meditate. Around 6:30, I make a glass of beet juice. I have three little, thin rooties along with mixed vegetables for breakfast …
Night, Before Dawn Illustration: Nahfia Jahan Monni Jamil: Just Another Night Every time Jamil has a night shift, he feels like quitting his job. Staying up all night, two nights in a week! Sleeping during the day is just not the same thing. But this is his own doing. When he studied Hotel Management, he …
