Brothers Not Meant to Betray

'We are getting married soon. Why don't you rent a house? How can we stay there in such a small house? You have got three unmarried sisters, one small college going brother, mother-father, your two elder brothers with their wives and two children to each couple. Where are we supposed to live? ' Sumona asked worriedly. She continued, 'no need to worry. I will stay with them the entire day and cook there too. Only we will sleep at the rented house and our household things will be in the rented house.' Girdhar was silent. 

He had got  Goverment job two years back in 1982. Next year in February, 1985, they would get married. She had completed her graduation and had been admitted in the post-graduation course in Calcutta University. Although she is going to get married soon, she intends to pursue her education and get a degree even after marriage. 

Next day when they met, he said, 'Sumona, listen, I am going to construct a small house adjacent to our present house, with the capacity of two bedrooms, living area, kitchen and bathroom. This way we all will stay together and you will not have any issues too.' She was elated at her would be husband's decision. 

Soon, the house was constructed by Girdhar with an expenditure of Rs 50,000. The kitchen was quite big so it was made as the primary kitchen and the food was prepared there for all. In february, they got married and started living in this house. The eldest brother had no income at all, so was made to stay in a small room. This was never taken well by Giridhar but as was decided by his father and elder brother Naval, he couldn't say much.  Naval, was working in the Audit Department and his wife, Jaya, was working in a Government school as teacher. She was the cunning among all and would not work at all in the house as she was the only earning woman in the house. The sisters were still studying in colleges and three of them would share the same room. Another room was shared by the parents.

After 3 months of their marriage, Sumona was pregnant. They wanted to abort the child as it was too early for them, also she was still studying. But, everyone including the doctor, perduaded them not to do so as it was her first pregnancy. 

They decided to keep the child.

In 1986, a son was born to them. Girdhar was transferred to a far different district, Krishna Nagar. He tried to commute for few months but it was affecting his health so they decided to shift to the new place till he was transferred back. Sumona was sad to leave her family behind but had no options left other then  to agree with the situations.  They left but Giridhar asked his eldest brother to stay in their room as it would be vacant and he would not like the way his brother lived in the small store room.

After six months, Sumona's father visited his daughter at Krishna Nagar. He had come to meet his daughter as well as to give them a splendid news about a plot of land of his father which he intends to gift Sumona. And that he had initiated the process and would soon receive the papers. He informed them too, that Naval had thrown out his eldest brother from the house as soon as Girdhar had left. And as the eldest brother did not had much income and a proper job, could not do anything but agree to Naval. The parents were quite old and were always scared of Naval so could not say anything at this behaviour of him. Giridhar was very upset as he loved his brothers very much and this was unbelievable for him. 

After few months, one sunday morning, Naval had come to visit Giridhar. He spent half the day talking about the irrelevant issues until lunch. Giridhar and Sumona guessed something unexpected would sprout up soon. She served the best food as he was a vivacious food lover. At lunch he spoke,  'Giri, your father-in-law, had already gifted your wife a piece of land. Why don't you construct your own house? We need more space here as my children are growing up and with so many people its becoming difficult to stay in that house. If you shift from there, we all would settle in that house comfortably.' He waited for Giridhar. Giridhar looked dismal. Sumona was listening everything from kitchen. Giridhar spoke, 'what about our eldest brother? Why did not you allow him to settle at my house?' Naval was silent. After a hiatus, he added,'oh! brother would be brought back. I asked him to settle at another house nearby for now. And do not worry about the money you had spent in constructing the house, I will pay you the entire amount once you decide to vacate the house.'

Giridhar could not say much to his elder brother and Naval considered it as an approval. He left Krishna Nagar happily. On coming back, he didnot wait for Giridhar but shifted all his things to a store room. 

After a year when Giridhar returned back permanently, he was shocked to find his entire house being occupied by his brother's family and was treated as a guest. They stayed in Sumona's father's house for some time then shifted to a rented apartment. Also, they started the construction of another house in Sumona's plot of land. On the other hand, in the pretext of a small home loan, Naval persuaded his father to tranfer the land in Naval's name legally.

As per the verbal agreement with Naval, both Giridhar and Sumona went to his house to ask for the amount of money they had spent in constructing the house, 'Dada and boudi, please return our 50,000 that we had spent in constructing this house as you had promised me at Krishna Nagar. We are in need of money as I have started the construction of house at Sumona's plot of land.' Naval and Jaya exchanged glances. Jaya said,'Sumona tomorrow morning, you come with me to the bank. We will withdraw and return you the entire amount of Rs 50,000/-.'

The couple returned home happily. Although they were apprehensive initially about Naval and Jaya's attitude but now they were not worried. Next morning, as been decided, Sumona reached Jaya's house in the beginning of the banking hours. Duo marched to the bank. Sumona waited in the customer area as Jaya stood in the withdrawal counter. After some time, Jaya came out with the money and put it inside a paper packet that she had brought it from home. She hurriedly approached Sumona,'don't open the packet here. Go home and then take out the money.' Sumona agreed with her as in those days 50,000 was a huge amount to be counted in a public place. They came out of the bank and Jaya asked if Sumona would like to have a cup of tea at a nearby stall. They after having tea, talked gleefully with each other and returned home in a rickshaw. 

Upon reaching home, Sumona closed the doors of her house and took out the packet. Giridhar had gone to his office. But she couldn't wait till evening so she started counting the money. She counted again and again and again for five times. Her mother who was at home too counted it again and again and again. But it came out to be Rs 20,000/- only, everytime they counted. She instantly called her husband. He couldn't believe too. So in the evening while returning home, he met Naval and Jaya.

'Dada, Sumona was saying its only Rs 20,000/-. But you had said you would return me the entire amount of Rs 50,000/-.' Giridhar spoke hesitatingly. Jaya from nowhere barged between the conversation in a very aggressive tone,'don't argue Giridhar. Take whatever we have given you. I never wanted to give you a penny but your dada is very kind hearted so I gave Sumona 20,000/-. Now, you may go. My maid is not there to prepare tea for you.'

Thick drops of water rolled out of Giridhar's eyes as he looked at his brother, who sat quietly looking down at nowhere while his younger brother was insulted by his wife. Giridhar sighed and moved slowly towards the door touching the wall, feeling its every brick and sand. He remembered Sumona's happy face, when she came to this home for the first time. All the happy moments.

Without uttering a single word, he walked down the narrow lane towards his house feeling betrayed and wounded.