A busy afternoon in Dhaka. Jannatul stands on the roof of a 7-storey building inside a narrow lane in Mohammadpur. He is known as Janu to everyone. Janu took a deep breath and looked around. The sun had been shining all day, now it has dimmed a bit. The sky in Dhaka is hazy, but today it seems a little clearer.
The roof was his favorite place in Janu's life. From childhood he used to sit on the roof, watching the sky and dreaming. Today is such an afternoon, but Janu's mind is very heavy today. A thousand thoughts in his head. He looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, as if to wash away all the sorrows of the world in one breath.
A lot has happened in her life which she never imagined. Janu was always a cheerful girl, loved by all. But everything has changed in the last few months. Father's sudden illness, mother's worried face, and the responsibility of the family fell on Janu's shoulders. He now tutors alongside his studies. After college classes, he quickly returns home and sits next to his mother. But Janu realizes that her mother is not finding her old smiling girl.
But what can Janu do? His life is going on while collecting money for his father's treatment. Hanging out with friends, watching a movie, or spending some quiet time – everything is now a dream. Janu sometimes thinks, is this life for him?
On her way back from college that day, Janu meets Amit. Amit is his old friend, classmate. Janu and Amit once had a good friendship, but the relationship has drifted apart due to Janu's busy family life. Seeing Amit, Janu felt that after a long time he was talking openly with someone. At first, Amit joked, “You've completely disappeared now!” "I was a bit busy," said Janu with a soft smile.
Amit was a little serious and said, "Are you okay?" Look, you are not the same as before. How you have changed."
Janu smiled and said, "People change, understand?" You too will understand one day."
Amit's face turned serious. He remained silent for a while and said, "Look, what you said may be right. But you don't know why you are losing my old friend. You laugh, have fun, dream about so many things. Now you are just drowning in a heavy responsibility.”
Janu's chest howled. He really isn't the same anymore. But what to do? Janu tried to hide her tears behind a smile. He said, “We all have some responsibilities in our lives, understand? Everything has to adapt over time.”
Amit did not speak. He understood that Janu did not want to tell anyone about his inner pain. But he said one thing, “I understand that you have responsibility. But do you realize that you are becoming completely alone?"
Even after Amit left, Janu stood there for a while, his words running through her mind. He is sitting on the roof thinking today, is he really going to be alone? Janu suddenly realized that he hadn't told anyone exactly what was on his mind for the past few months. He is just keeping everything inside himself.
But Janu knows, maybe one day everything will be fine. Father's illness will pass, family responsibilities may be a little lighter. But then he will be able to become the old knee again? With this thought, Janu looked at the sky.
After a while his phone rang. Mother is calling from below, "You know, are you on the roof?" It's getting late, come down."
Janu puts the phone to her ear and says, "I'm coming mom." He took another long breath. The heavy feeling inside him feels a little lighter. He knows that life is hard, but he still has to live. He has to be strong for his mother, his family – everyone.
Janu takes one last look at the sky as he descends from the roof. Today he will still dream, but maybe a little differently. Janu knows that there are responsibilities and hardships at every turn of life, but you have to find a little happiness in the midst of it. She vows to herself, her smile will come back.