Not too many days ago, ‘Quarantine’ was the only reality. In 2020, when the world was engulfed by the deadly Corona virus, people had to stay away from their dearest ones. The pandemic ended up taking many lives. Families were devastated. No one was safe.
COVID 19 isolated people in such a way that they ended up creating a new utopia for themselves.  Mahbubur Rahman and his partner Tayeba Begum Lipi felt lucky to have spent the time together through the pandemic. They started a vegetable patch on the rooftop and in the land around the house. It was wonderful to see the vegetables grow and share them with neighbours, family and friends. It reminded Rahman of his childhood, when all the brothers and sisters would delight in looking after the kitchen garden. It was lovely to watch the plants and patiently wait for the first fruit.
Just before the lockdown, Rahman’s assistant Nigam and his wife Baishaly, who live with them, were blessed with a baby boy—Prastar. Rahman and Lipi were delighted with Prastar’s arrival. A new cadence set in their lives. They felt closer to nature during isolation. The sky took on a different hue and the air was cleaner. As the plants grew in the garden, so did Prastar.
Guddu arrived in December that year, on the night of Lipi’s birthday. They decided to adopt him as the first non-human member in their family. Guddu vied for attention and kept them busy. They had to learn a lot of new things in order to keep her happy and healthy. But she was alone, and needed a lot of attention. She wanted to play all the time. Finally, Rahman and Lipi thought it would be good for Guddu to have a partner. One day Gunda, a male puppy arrived. He was beautiful, intelligent, smart and attention-seeking. He had lost his mother on the streets. He had to be trained to eat and drink properly and needed looking after day and night. Soon he got bigger and became very active. Guddu loved hanging around with the family. Lipi became his shadow. He would also wait up for Rahman, especially after the artist spent a long day in the studio.
Unfortunately, Gunda survived for only 22 days. He filled the family with much joy and love. He was a sick puppy who had lost his mother early. One day Gunda fell ill and stayed away from everyone. At night, he left in his sleep, without disturbing anyone.
Bingo was found and taken in the day after Gunda passed. It was painful at first. Gradually, feelings of love and happiness grew as the wonderful puppy started running around. Bingo and Guddu became a great couple. They were made for each other. Their vitality was infectious.
In 2022, Guddu gave birth at Rahman’s feet, while he was sleeping. The big gang landed one after another. There were five boys—Whiskey, Brandy, Roxy, Tumba and Carew. Tipsy, their only sister, the pretty baby, landed the last.
There is one other sick puppy in Rahman and Lipi’s house, the beautiful princess Tuntuni. She was rescued from Chattogram last year. This is the story behind Mahbubur Rahman’s ‘Madonna’ series.

Love you baba,
My Gunda baby.
Stay well and take care of yourself my baby,
We miss you. You are missed everyday
See you again, good-bye for now.
(Mahbubur Rahman)