Second Prize - Daily Life Category, Stories

Sarker Protick, Bangladesh

John wears his grandson's bowler hat

It was in the afternoon. I was sitting on my grandpa's couch. The door was slightly open, and I saw light coming through, washed out between the white door and white walls. All of a sudden it all started making sense. I could relate what I was seeing with what I felt. John and Prova, my grandparents. Growing up, I found much love and care from them. They were young and strong.

As time went by, it shaped everything in its own way. Bodies took different forms and relations went distant. Grandma's hair turned gray, the walls started peeling off and the objects were all that remained. Everything was contained into one single room. They always love the fact that I take pictures of them because then I spend more time with them, and they don't feel lonely anymore. After Prova passed away, I try to visit more so John can talk. He tells me stories of their early life, and how they met. There are so many stories. Here, life is silent, suspended. Everything is on a wait; A wait for something that I don't completely understand.