The Lose Bond Of Brotherhood

                 

                 There were two friends in a colony of the small town. They would stay at stone’s throw. Both were the youngest in their families. Both families had good behavior with each of them. They would play, go to school together. Sons-in-laws as well as sisters-in-law in the both families looked at them as family members without any differentiation. There was very strong relation between two families. They would work together in any function in the families. Snice both were youngest in the families, their parents were nowhere in this word except Baba’s mother when they matured. They were under the shelter of their elder brothers. Mr. Arun got job soon after his graduation in central government office. His family members got him married. His beloved friend was also present in his marriage. But Arun was segregated from Baba as he was transferred at so many places in all over India. Arun’s family members were also left their native places for their careers. There were no fast communication means for remaining in contact like today. Arun wrote some letters to his friend Baba. But he didn’t reply them as he was struggling for his career. Out of sight, out of mind. In this way they were segregated for long period. In the last decade of Arun’s retirement, he came back to city which was nearest to his native place. Long absences, soon forgotten. Hence both were not in contact with each other. But absences make heart grow fonder. Arun made some effort to find his friend Baba. Fortunately, they were in the same city. They were happy as they got their childhood friend.  

                 Thereafter, they would go to their native place to meet some friends who made their native place as their workplace. Arun noticed that his friend would avoid going his elder brother’s home. When Baba was in good mood, he asked him about the cause of their quarrel. He told him that he didn’t know the exact reason behind it. He told him that all his sister broke relation with him. But Baba would go to native place with his friend to inquire about his mother. When Arun noticed his intension. He would go to his brother’s house. His brother and his wife would respect him as in the past. He would talk with his mother and inquired about her health. She had memory loss problem. So, she couldn’t recognize Arun. He would brief about her health to him. He made some effort to know the exact reason of their separation from each other as it takes two to quarrel. One of the local senior friends briefed about the reason as he was also the close friend of his elder brother. He said to Arun that he exactly not known the reason. But he guessed right from their talk.         

      When Arun asked him why he didn’t make any effort to bring both the brothers close as in the past. He said that he had made genuine effort, but he was unsuccessful as both of them gave him poor response. He said to Arun that Baba’s brother brought some proposal for his marriage. Girl was beautiful. But Baba refused the proposal as beauty is in the eye of beholder. She had a lot of immovable disputed ancestor’s property in her name. She was alone to her old parent. His brother was holding a good post in the revenue department. Since money doesn’t grow on plant. So, he thought that he would manage all the legal matters in the property. So, both brothers would have enough wealth. But Baba had different option about his life partner as shrouds have no pockets. No sooner did he refuse the proposal than his brother stopped talking with him. Baba thought that his elder brother cum father would excuse him in future. So, he got married with another girl of the city who was a teacher. Their relation never got smooth thereafter as he was churlish.

              It was pandemic period with ups and downs. Mr. Baba received a phone from his local friend that his mother was no more in this world. He phoned to Arun about sad demises of his mother. Arun already came out from the pandemic. Any how he was recovering from it. His friend asked him to inquire from other friends about confirmed news. As soon as he contacted his senior friend, he told him that news was correct. Unfortunately, he was also suffering by fever. But he would go to funeral after some time. Arun informed his friend whatever he heard was absolutely correct. He suggested to him that they should go directly to funeral place. He collected his all sisters and marched for the funeral place. He briefed his friends that they should delay the formalities of religious matter till he would come. But his elder brother already planned for not allowing his younger brother and sisters to see their mother before setting on fire. The moment, he heard the news of their arrival, he was in hurry to complete all the religious method before their arrival. in fact, he should have informed them well in advance, but his ego didn’t permit him to do so. At last baba’s friends protested his move. They warned him. if he didn’t wait for their friend, they would launch complaint to police. Anyhow, Baba reached at spot. Being the youngest son, he completed his all-religious method as per norms which was his religious rights and duties. All her daughters, grandsons and sons-in-law took the blessing of departed soul. After the event, his brother went to his home and Baba with his relatives come back to their city. Where faults are thick, love is thin.