A Late Return or Not
Where the heart becomes the courtroom
By Md Abu Salehin
My mind was the court.
I was the judge.
And my two egos
stood as the lawyers.
That day, I sat to judge an answer—
an answer to a question
that refused to be simple.
The question was presented,
and Yes and No
stood as the defendants.
One would leave with honour,
the other accused guilty.
The question was presented by the heart.
In childhood,
one fell in love
but never had the courage to speak.
He was crazy enough to die for her,
but fate did not allow it.
They were separated.
He grew into a man.
Love never found him again.
Until one day,
he saw her again.
Should he accept?
One lawyer stood up,
said everything convincing
that the answer should be Yes.
I gave my judgement.
✓ Yes won.
"Wait," the heart said again.
"She was pure.
She had her sanity.
She was in a relationship,
but she broke up."
Both lawyers stood up,
said everything they had to say.
Again,
my judgement leaned toward Yes.
Then the heart added a detail—
No one stood up.
I gave my judgement
supporting No.
✗ No.
Again, the heart spoke softly—
Must he still accept?"
The second lawyer stood up,
showed his proof.
My judgement remained No.
Lastly, the heart whispered—
the way he once did,
will he be crazy enough
to choose her now?"
This time,
the boy himself spoke.
No court.
No lawyers.
No judgement needed.
⚖ The Verdict
Suddenly, I woke up
and understood—
The best thing at first
may become the worst at last.
And the worst
may turn into the best again.
All it took
was a word.