Two best friends’ journey toward financial freedom cut short
They were together all the time and depended on each other so much
A yearning for a better life was probably what brought Syeda Kochi and Sonia close. With little support from their families and the society, they took charge of their own fate and set off a journey to financial independence years ago.
Kochi, 35, worked at a toiletries company while Sonia of almost the same age, ran an online business of cosmetics.
Kochi, an orphan, came to Dhaka leaving her baggage behind in Kuliarchar of Kishoreganj more than seven years ago. She got to know Sonia while working at the Pearl International Bangladesh. They soon became friends.
One of Sonia's relatives said they were together all the time and depended on each other so much that once Kochi had said, "We will live together, and if I die, I will die with you." Little did Kochi know the remark made out of emotion would become true.
Early yesterday on their way back to Kalyanpur, a vehicle knocked over their scooty in the capital's Banani area. Kochi was driving and Sonia was on the pillion.
The van sped away. Kochi and Sonia lied in a pool of blood but nobody came to their help for half an hour.
A pedestrian, Robin finally took them to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 1:00am. Doctors declared them dead immediately.
Their dreams died with them
Next month Sonia was supposed to meet her husband in India whom she married only nine months ago. She had met him when she was in India to import cosmetics for her online shop.
As the tragedy befell Sonia's family, her mother Monowara Begum rushed to the hospital.
Monowara said she had cooked biriyani, her daughter's favourite, the day before and was waiting for her to return home. Instead, she got a call from Sonia's number.
From the other side, a stranger gave Monowara the news of Sonia's death.
Meanwhile, police are trying to identify the vehicle from CCTV footage. "After identifying the vehicle, we will arrest the driver," said Office-in-Charge of Banani Police Station Nure Azam Mia.
Until yesterday afternoon, no one from Kochi's family came to the hospital to receive the body.
Her maternal uncle, Mehedi Hasan on the phone said Kochi had completed higher secondary education and came to Dhaka.
Since then, she was all on her own. The last time she got a room on sublet at Kalyanpur. Sonia often came from her Mirpur residence to Kalyanpur to spend time with Kochi.
