Ram and Anit were
good froends.. Both of them liked each other. They had a very similar
thinking. They wanted to do something for the society, for the country
where they were born. Ram used to say, “I would make my country a living
paradise”. Shyam always nodded in agrrement. They went to the same
school and again to the same college. Infact, they had to leave their
hometown for study but they also lived together at the new place. Ram
was a little aggressive kind while shyam was always cool. Whenever Ram
engaged in any duel, It was shyam who controlled the things preventing
the situation from getting blown out of proportion. But, one day Shyam
left Ram. He went without saying anything. Ram searched him everywhere
but couldn’t find him. Ram was very upset. A few days passed and one day
he got a letter. It was addressed to him but nowhere the name of the
sender written on it. He opened it and read. Tears fell from his eyes.
He couldn’t stand up any furthur. He read the full letter numb. The
letter was like.............
Dear Ram
You
would be wondering who has sent you this letter. I won’t strain your
mind and without any gusseses you should know It’s me, Shyam. I’m sure
you would have been searching me frantically. But, you must stop
because I’m far from your world. I’m at a different place. I left you
because I couldn’t bear the pain your love brought to me. You were so
caring. You were like an angel to me, protecting always from the
adversities. I remembered when I was hurt playing football. It was you
who looked after me all the time, preparing food, bringing books and
tendering me in all the possible ways one can. I cannot forget the anger
you felt towards Raj, your cousin, when he had abused me. You wanted to
hit him hard but stopped when I asked you to forgive him. How could
someone be so nice in this world. I always wanted to be like you, free
and joy loving. Your love to me was pure, unconditional free from any
predisposition.
We
shared all our joys, our sorrows and there was nothing that I didn’t
know about you and the same you thought about me too. Still there is
something I didn’t tell you. Infact, this is something I hid even from
myself. Five years ago, My brother who was just a few years elder to me
had passed away. He was suffering from brain tumer. You wouldn’t have
forgotten the day when I had gone to my home after quarelling with you.
You were surprised, why was I going home. You apologised several times
but I didn’t care. I went. I know you consider yourself responsible for
that. But, let me tell you, you were never the reason behind my
decision. I went because my brother was living his last days. Doctors
were exhausted treating him. I couldn’t stand to see my brother. I was
crying like a new born.He was the most precious to me. How could god do
such things! But, my brother was smiling. He said, “Bro, what if I would
be dying in a few days. I would always be with you, in your heart, in
your memories. He kissed my forehead. My brother was my life. God was
preparing himself to take my life away. I asked ma to allow me to
return. I told her, If I stay here I won’t be able to sustain the pain. I
had returned after four days and you were so glad to see me back. You
were almost weeping when you asked me to forgive. My brother died a few
days after. But, I didn’t go to my house. I was happy with you. Your
presence never let me think of my brother. You made me laugh, made me
happy. I never felt the agony. But, my brother’s memories were
inseparable. I wept when you were not around. I tried to forget
everything associated with him but they kept coming back.I used to wake
up in the dreams.
After
a few years to my surprise my dreams stopped hounding me. I almost
forgot my brother. It thought, I would be happy again like I used to be.
But, Oh, god! You can’t be so cruel to me. It was the start of another
misery, a tormenting ache in my soul. Oh! I forgot my brother because my
heart accepted you as my brother. You took his place. I statred viewing
you like him. Your care, your affection your everything to me was
like my brother’s way. But, Ram I wanted to forget my brother. I wanted
to move on and living with you never let me do so. Everyday, It brought
me closer to my brother, closer than I could think. I’m a human and I
couldn’t bear so much love. I had heard that too much love sometimes
become unsurpassable. I never thought It could happen to me. I told my
mom about you and she asked what did I want. I told her I wanted to
forget my brother. I was weeping and she was too. I decided I must go
home. I must take care of my mother, my fathert. I never thought how
much painful It would have been for them to lose their young son.
I
can’t fight with my destiny. Still, I can try. By the time you would be
reading this letter, I would have already left my old home and shifted
to a new place. Forgive me for what I did to you. I
know I am your culprit. I’m a sinner but plaese do me one more favor.
Never try to find me or try to contact me for any such attempt on your
side will break the fragile determination that I have to look things
beyond. I hope you will always be happy.
Yours Brother in diguise
Anit
Ram
stood up and looked here and there. On the wall, there was a photograph
of Anit. He smiled and said, “May god always keep you happy and help
you find your peace”. He opened the door of his house and went to
address his friends. It was his first speech after winning the college
President’s election.