—Humayun Ahmed considered his work 'Deyal' (The wall), a novel based on assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, more significant as a work of literature instead of history.

Professor Anwar Hossain, a friend and former colleague of the late celebrity writer, said Humayun wanted to narrate the ruthless killing of the nation's history using historical facts.

Humayun sent a manuscript of the novel to Anwar in a bid to keep the facts straight.

Along with the manuscript the writer also wrote a letter in which his thoughts on the novel were articulated.

Humayun Ahmed, born in Nov 13, 1948, turned out to be the most popular writer of Bengali literature of his time. He dies on May 19 this year while receiving treatment for cancer in the US.

Professor Anwar Hossain, currently Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, told bdnews24.com, "Humayun requested (me) to consider the manuscript in terms of a literary work, not as a work of history, though he asked me to check historical facts."

"Remember, I am a writer, not a historian. I will write novel, and you will write history," Humayun said in his letter written to Anwar.

Two chapters of the novel 'Deyal' was published in a Bengali daily on May 11.

Attorney General Mahbub-e-Alam objected to two chapters, comprising description of the murder scene of Bangabandhu's youngest son Sheikh Rasel and the presentation of Khandaker Mostaque Ahmed and brought it to the attention of the High Court.

The HC issued a rule on May 15 expecting necessary amendments would be made before publishing the novel.

Anwar Hossain said Humayun sent the manuscript to him before the HC order. "But the two chapters did not seem that of a big issue."

Humayun Ahmed and Anwar Hossain were colleagues in Dhaka University. Humayun was a faculty of Chemistry Department whereas Anwar was in Bio-Chemistry Department.

Humayun while fighting cancer in United States sent the manuscript and the letter along with gifts for his friend.

In his letter, Humayun also mentioned past memories.

"Do you remember, on many occasions during chitchat in the club (Dhaka University Teachers' Club) you wanted to take me to your Naraynganj house riding on your shabby motorbike..."

"I was lucky that I did not go then, otherwise probably I would have also landed in jail."

Anwar Hossain was surprised reading the letter, "He remembers everything, although I met him last in 1993."

When he returned home for a short visit while undergoing treatment in US, Humayun invited Anwar Hossain to his Dhanmondi residence 'Dakhin Hawa', they discussed the novel 'Deyal' then.

At one point of discussion they differed on whether Col Faroque (convicted and executed in Bangabandhu murder case) could be presented as a freedom fighter as done by Humayun in the novel.

"Then Humayun said, 'I am no historian, I did not write history'."

Anwar Hossain last met his friend Humayun on May 29 when they together watched the author cum film maker's last movie 'Ghetuputro Komola'.

Humayun himself amended 'Deyal' after the directives of the High Court, Mazharul Islam, Proprietor of publishing house Annyaprakash, told bdnews24.com.

He, however, did not mention when the amended 'Deyal' would be published.