Dhaka-bound after 17 years in exile, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has begun his journey home accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman—while Zaima herself appears to be travelling with some of Bengal’s finest literary minds.

During the nearly 12-hour flight to Bangladesh, Zaima’s quiet companion has been a book featuring works by Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das and several other celebrated Bengali writers.

The detail emerged from a selfie Zaima posted on social media platform Facebook from her business-class seat, alongside her parents. Next to her seat, clearly visible in the photograph, was a colourful hardcover English-language book.

Though written in English, the book is in fact a collection of Bengali short stories. Titled The Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories, the volume is travelling back to Bangladesh with Zaima—kept close at hand throughout the long journey.

The anthology features short stories by some of the most iconic names in Bengali literature, including Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Buddhadeva Bose, Akhtaruzzaman Elias, Ashapurna Devi and Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The collection has been edited by Arunava Sinha, a renowned Indian translator and editor widely recognised for his work in bringing Bengali literature to an international audience.

While the table of contents may spark curiosity about which stories Zaima is reading mid-air, there is no way to know for certain. What is evident, however, is her visible happiness at returning to Bangladesh after spending 17 years abroad. Even before setting foot on home soil, she appears to be reconnecting—quietly and intimately—with those who have written the stories of that very land.

Tarique Rahman and his family departed London’s Heathrow Airport shortly after midnight Bangladesh time. A large number of expatriate Bangladeshi BNP supporters, long resident in London, gathered at the airport to bid him farewell. Amid the crowd, Rahman had to make his way to the aircraft with boarding pass in hand.

If all goes according to plan, the flight is expected to land in Bangladesh before noon. Tarique Rahman left the country for the United Kingdom in 2008 and is returning after a 17-year absence—an event that has generated intense excitement among BNP supporters.

Adding to the anticipation is the arrival of Zaima Rahman herself. Many have already begun referring to her as a potential political heir within the BNP. Although she is professionally a lawyer, discussions in various quarters suggest she could eventually follow the political path of her grandfather, late President Ziaur Rahman, her grandmother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and her father Tarique Rahman.