Remembering bhaiya!

The man who taught me to be human!

The beginning of August- each year, shatters me completely. 14 years have passed since I heard his voice. Sometimes I think how lucky was Kolkata and it’s people, who had the opportunity to be around him.

As children we did not spend too much time together. Bhaiya was sent to a hostel at an early age. I remember, we never developed a “sibling’’ bond during his hostel days. Either visiting his boarding school to see him, or him coming to home on holidays, there was always a barrier of shyness. 

8 years passed. It was time for him to come back. Before he could come and settle into the home environment, I came to know bhaiya is going to London. Big Deal!! I mean really!! How? Why? And I was politely asked to not poke my nose into the matter. Anyways, he left.

But what he left behind was an effort- an effort to be an elder brother to me. An effort to develop that bond which was missing. An effort to make me realize, no matter how difficult a situation is, “your brother is always with you’’. 

From the day he reached London till the day he left this world, there has not been a single 24-hour span, when he did not connect with me via landline initially and then through mobile. We talked every thing, about my studies, my school, my college, my friends, my ambitions, my rights, my conduct, my wishes, my shopping lists, his experiences, his friends, his studies, his passions, his love for cooking, his hobby of collecting spices from all over the places, he visited, and everything else. 

Bhaiya became solace.    

So many beautiful memories, so much left undone, so much unsaid- you left us too soon bhaiya. I still wish my phone will ring one day, and I will hear you saying, “Gudda kaisi hai tu?” (How are you?)

“I am doing good bhaiya! But sometimes I remember you a lot. Can you come back?” 

And then- there is a deep silence. No one to answer!

Thursday,

5th August’21!

Happy Birthday Bhaiya

P.S.- My father-in-law was kind enough to name my elder son Manu (bhaiya’s name). I will always be grateful to him for this gesture.