On the third floor, there were only clothing stores. I started walking from one shop to another.

  I could make out some of the fashion, but most of it went completely over my head. I had never seen styles like these before. I couldn't tell if they were for boys or girls—it was very confusing.

  As I went up to the next floor, my eyes fell on countless food stalls and restaurants. Each one smelled of different kinds of food. The closer I got, the stronger the aroma became.

  But seeing the prices, my hand froze. This wasn't just food—it was as if they were selling gold!

  Thinking about the cost, I decided to buy just a coffee. Even that cost 50 taka.

  After finishing the coffee and throwing the cup in the trash, my eyes landed on a poster hanging on the wall.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Special Offer— Bus tickets from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar are half price for today.

  For a few moments, I felt like the biggest fool. Chittagong has the country's largest beach, yet here I was wandering in a shopping mall instead of going to see it. Now I had to go, or I wouldn't feel at peace. Ever since I was a child, I had dreamed of visiting Cox's Bazar.

  I checked—the offer was only valid for today.

  The offer was for today, but the bus would leave at 1:20 PM. What time was it now?

  I pulled out my phone and saw it was 12:50 PM.

  What! Not much time left until 1 PM. The bus would leave in just a few minutes. What should I do? I didn't even know the place properly.

  Should I ask someone? But there was no one around.

  I looked closely at the poster to see if it had the address.

  Yes, the address was there: "Walk straight from the shopping mall, then turn right to reach the bus station, a 10-minute walk."

  I hurriedly left the shopping mall and started running. Only 15 minutes left.

  When I reached the bus station, I saw the bus would leave in just a few minutes.

  I quickly bought a ticket and boarded the bus at the last possible moment. It was the very last seat—if I had been a little later, I wouldn't have gotten a seat at all. Luck was on my side.

  The bus started moving.

  I began my journey toward Cox's Bazar.