Dreams unfulfilled
Md Zaker from Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar grew up in a family with never-ending financial crisis. Around six months ago, the 20-year-old made the journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The dream was to work so hard that his family's troubles end once and for all. With this in mind, he recently finished his driving training and was in line to receive a licence.
Abdul Mukit (40), a resident of Chharagaon village in the same district, had been living in KSA for the last 10 years. His visa had recently expired. On Tuesday, he met up with Zaker and friend Shawan (19) and decided to visit offices of the authorities concerned to get documents for their visa extension and driving licence.
However, all plans the duo had came to a screeching halt after they were killed in a road crash.
On the Jeddah highway, the rented car carrying them turned over after one of its wheels came off. This killed Zaker and Mukit on the spot and injured Shawan.
The suddenness of this accident is a big blow for both of the Bangladeshi men's families. Zaker's father Nasim Uddin said, "He was the oldest of my six children. I had to sell my land and take loan from relatives to get him there."
"On the night before the accident, he called me and said he will start work after he gets his driving licence. He said he wants to start sending money home as soon as possible," he said, clearly in pain.
On the phone call, Zaker told his father, "We will finally be relieved of all our woes."
But there's no way that dream can come true now, Nasim despaired.
Mukit had left home around ten years ago. His home in Chharagaon was kept alive by his wife, son, and two daughters. Mukit's cousin Abdus Sukkur last talked to him on Saturday afternoon.
"The family is fully dependent on Mukit's money," Sukkur lamented.
Ever since the news arrived, Mukit's heartbroken parents are spending their time sitting in the backyard and reminiscing his memories. Unable to talk to anyone properly, the elderly couple are muting the area around the house with their sorrow.
Mukit's demise has left his father in disarray. "My son went abroad for the sake of our family's peace. With him gone, how do I run this household?
Ghulam Dastagir, assistant superintendent of police of Kulaura Circle confirmed the incident. However, police are yet to receive any documents regarding the matter, he said.
Away from home, their bodies now rest at the morgue in Riyadh's King Fahad Hospital.
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