My life with Bhul: A wife’s unfiltered review

Not even a year into our marriage, and here we are—navigating a long-distance relationship. Our days are stitched together through video calls, trying to make them as lively as possible.We watch movies, play games, cook together—anything to keep the spark alive. 

But then, something changed. Something special. Antik Mahmud, my husband, started writing 'Bhul', and suddenly, our calls had a new rhythm, a purpose beyond just catching up. I've always loved that he's a writer, but I never quite imagined what his process would look like. Bhul opened that door for me. 

He let me in on his journey in a way I never expected. Every time he finished a part, he would make me read it, observing me with anticipation, waiting for my reaction. If I missed even the smallest detail, he'd be mortified, insisting that every element mattered. And so, our daily calls turned into manuscript readings, with me as his first and most brutally honest critic.

Antik started working on Bhul in mid-2024, half of it in Bangladesh and the rest here in the US, when he visited me during the winter break. Writing required absolute silence for him, but with me—his forever chatterbox—that was impossible. 

One day, when I was particularly distracting, he grabbed his laptop and disappeared. Hours later, I found him in the laundry room of our apartment complex. That's where he found his creative sanctuary. From then on, whenever he went missing, I knew exactly where to find him—curled up in the laundry room, lost in his fictional world, while the sound of spinning washers and dryers formed the background score of his creativity.

The last day he wrote the final part of the book, we were heading back to Bangladesh. He had promised my dad that he'd finish the book before returning, and to keep that promise, he wrote the last few pages at the bus stop while we waited for our delayed bus. 

I read the final chapter right then and there, and I hated the twist. I didn't like the final villain. I was grumpy the whole time because how dare my husband give so much importance to a character whom I, his wife,  didn't like!

And yet, looking back, Bhul wasn't just a book; it's a shared journey. It's the story of long-distance nights spent poring over chapters, of him finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, of me sulking over plot twists I couldn't control. But it's also an incredible book on its own.

At its core, Bhul is a suspenseful rollercoaster featuring detective Redoyan, who finds
himself entangled in a high-stakes hostage crisis. The building is locked down, the media is screaming "Terrorists!", and his brother Alif is trapped inside. 

But here's the kicker— the readers get to make the decisions. Every choice you make changes the outcome, which makes Bhul more than just a book—it's an immersive experience. It's like one of those RPG games where your choices and actions have consequences in story progression.

Having spent countless hours debating with Antik about the possibilities in books and movies we experienced together, it was incredibly satisfying to see him craft a story without a single "right" path—only choices and their consequences. Yet, beyond the plot, what fascinated me even more was the depth of his characters.

Redoyan, serious and methodical, is the kind of person you'd want to solve a crisis. Alif, on the other hand, is a delightfully chaotic agent, the younger brother whom you both adore and want to strangle simultaneously. Their dynamic felt raw, real, and heartbreakingly human.

Beyond the thrill of its storytelling, the book explores themes of media manipulation, power struggles, and how the concept of fear is weaponised. Some moments make you pause and think—right before throwing you into yet another impossible decision. 

If you've ever watched one of Antik's animated videos, you already know his storytelling style—fast-paced, witty, and packed with little moments that make you laugh when you least expect it. Bhul is no different.

The dialogues crackle, the descriptions paint scenes vividly, and even when the tension is high, his signature humour sneaks in. It's interesting how he took a format usually seen in games or old-school 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books and gave it a slick, modern upgrade.

Bhul is a thrilling, immersive, and brilliantly written novel but more than that, it's personal. I watched Antik agonise over every choice, character arc, a little twist here and there, and all of that resulted into something truly special. This book reflects him—thoughtful, exciting, occasionally infuriating (especially when he kills off characters I like!), but ultimately unforgettable.

So, whether you're here for the mystery, the action, or just to see how many ways you can mess up Redoyan's mission, which is a lot, Bhul is a ride worth taking.

Bhul is available on the Rokomari website and in the Ekushey Book Fair in Tamralipi's stall (678-680).