There was a time Rafi went by "Raffi"-- I doubt many of you remember that. I never found out why he got the spelling of his name changed. I do know, however, that I've never met anyone quite like him; I doubt I ever will. 

We had our differences, but that never stood in the way of our friendhsip.  There was much I've learnt from him. I learned about Marillion and the Doors and of course, Jim Morrison's "An American Prayer." And of course, Alistair MacLean, when he gave me "The Last Frontier." And many more things. He always lived for today; sometimes, I worried about him. The way he lived was as if he was somehow aware that his time was coming; he didn't hold back. I always wondered where he'd end up in life -- he was such a free spirit! He was like the Nicaraguan national bird (I forget the name) -- there are no such birds living in captivity, since they cannot live under such circumstances and die when held in captivity. When I first heard about the bird, it somehow reminded me of Rafi. I never imagined how close the ending was, or how tragic it would be; I guess no one did. 

 Once, I went to his house in Dhanmondi (the house that is now a clinic, not the one many went to for a view of Women's Complex!) to borrow his Misplaced Childhood CD. He was studying, but as soon as his teacher left, he said he wouldn't let me take it. So I was about to leave. Then Rafi started requesting me to take the CD. I refused. He kept on requesting me, and I kept on saying I wouldn't take it. All of a sudden, he took the CD out of the case and tore it in two! Imagine my shock and horror -- even the last time I'd seen him, I'd still asked him why he'd done it; he'd just have a smile in the corner of his lips and in his eyes, never giving me a satisfactory answer. Perhaps he derived some joy in keeping me guessing as to why he'd done it, perhaps he himself never knew. Just like Rafi... 

Shuvo Jonmodin, Rafi, and Shuvo Noboborsho, wherever you may be! 

I had the opportunity to visit Rafi's mom and sister a few times this past year, as I try to do whenever I'm back home. Auntie got very emotional; she was saying how grateful she was that we remembered Rafi and went to visit her or kept in touch with her. My request is that we try to keep in touch with her more often. We have a duty towards his sister as well.  Shagor, thanks. Auntie mentioned your wonderful gift time and again, and mentioned how Trisha could even take it to her shoshurbari. Auntie also mentioned that Utsha and several other Josephites called her up from the USA, and how much she appreciated it. Thanks, guys. 

Agam Shuvo Noboborsho. 

Sincerely, 

Wajid