Dhaka Diary

Looks can surely be deceiving
The other day, in between classes, a bunch of us decided to go over to the pizza joint right next to our university and order the lunch special that they had arranged especially for students. After grabbing chairs for ourselves, the waiter gave us the menus, which displayed the special lunch meals under Tk85, including cold drinks, much to our delight! We literally drooled over the visual presentation of the mini pan pizza, filled with dripping cheese, the turkey chicken and beef kabab with French fries, not to mention a popular item showing a platter filled with spaghetti, ketchup and sauce. Each of us placed an order and simply couldn't wait to taste the food. When the orders reached us however, we were clearly disappointed. The meals were nothing compared to the pictures on the menu. The 'platter filled with spaghetti' actually covered only half the plate, the pizza was as big as the palm of our hands and Rice Combo was nothing like its name. In other words, it seemed more like having a snack instead of a full-fledged lunch. 'It's nothing like the picture!' we screamed within, and were agitated over the fact that these pizza people could even think of taking advantage of students.
DK Banani

Saved by the tune
My aunt is a singer and happens to professionally practice it in London, performing in Bangladeshi community programmes held on several occasions. On a visit to Dhaka last year, she was bringing a harmonium with her all the way from London, which she was planning to hand down to me. Like every other 'foreign return', her bags were going through heavy security check at the Red Channel, especially since she had brought back taxable items like television sets, microwave ovens and the likes. Amongst all the cartons, the custom officials came across the harmonium and were looking at it curiously. They asked my aunt what she intended to do with the device, and she, tired and stressed out from the journey and nonsensical questions from the custom people, explained to them that she was a singer and that she usually carried her harmonium with her. 'Then sing us a song, madam,' came the officer's spontaneous response. My aunt just looked at him wide eyed. When she was requested to sing something again, she took the harmonium and played a famous Runa Laila number, and sang along with it. That particular section of the airport had silenced down at that moment and was filled with a cheery applause right after she finished. The custom official smiled and didn't bother to check the rest of her bags anymore, thus letting her go. That was probably the best part of the whole incident.
EK Kahettuli

Ashraful Over Bridge
Right after the historic moment, when Bangladesh beat the world cricket champions Australia, bunches of young boys drove out of their homes to honk up the city awake and celebrate the success. There were many who honked their cars, screamed out 'Joy Bangla' and drove all the way from TSC to Ashulia and back. It was quite a sight to see the city all lit up with red and green and all kinds of music blaring from the speakers, especially at that time of the night. The funniest thing about it was, a few people screaming on the Mohakhali Fly-Over, 'Name the fly-over Ashraful Over Bridge! He deserves to be on the top of the world right now!'
DEK Baridhara.

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