Death is certain, life is not. Yet some departures feel unbearably heavy.

From the very start of the day, an inexplicable sadness took hold of me.
How does someone leave like this?
Is this truly the way life ends – so suddenly, so silently?

Saki Bhai was three years senior to me at Shahjalal Jamia Islamia School and College.
He was one of the earliest figures who sparked my deep love for school cricket.
I admired him quietly; something about him always inspired me.

Only last year, in 2022, during the Ex-Cricketers’ Tournament, we spent so much time talking – sharing stories, laughing, reminiscing.
Even in 2021, at the Leading University field, we chatted between overs – about careers, community, the country, and the golden era of Sylhet cricket in the nineties.
Those memories now feel painfully precious.

Last year, he moved to the United Kingdom with new hopes.
But fate had written something else.
Shortly after arriving, he was diagnosed with a terminal cancer.
Yesterday evening, our dear senior, our Saki Bhai, returned to his Lord.

May Allah grant profound patience to his family during this unbearable time.
Ameen.

Saki Bhai,
I admired you deeply – yet I never said it.
Now I never will.

May the Almighty grant you eternal peace and honour in Jannah.
Ameen.

Safwan Rahman
Uttara, Dhaka
Shahjalal Jamia Islamia School & College
Batch of 2000
সাফওয়ান রাহমান, ২০০০ ব্যাচ