It is almost a year since we met. That meeting turned ugly, and we dispersed, you swearing aloud that we should meet in a court. Was that upheaval indispensable? Knowing my partaking nature very well from childhood, you could have given a second thought before flinging those heavy words at me. They hit me like molten lava.
Hadn’t we shared our toys and games as kids? I vividly remember how you took the cowrie shells from me to win the game, proving your collection of shells was more than mine. Did I ever deny you anything, even back then?
I kept all my shirts and trousers neat, knowing they would be passed on to you in a couple of years. Dad couldn’t afford to buy new dresses again and again. I would try not to get into scuffles to avoid wearing away my pair of shoes because I wanted them to look good and new just for you. My friends teased me with girl names, saying I was too soft and subtle. I felt like boxing their ears, but that might end up in a brawl, and my clothes and shoes would get spoilt. I couldn’t imagine you in worn-out shoes or shabby clothes. It was a different story that you got into trouble often and came home with a creased shirt jutting out of the muddy pants. Your shoes were always dirty.
“Bro, can you help me with my studies? I will fail,” you said, tears welling in your eyes when you were in class 8th and I in my final year of school. You had wasted enough time rambling, and the reality jolted you when examinations neared.
Dad couldn’t afford to hire a tutor. You fought with him but there was little he could.
‘My little brother will never see failure in life,’ I ascertained as I donned the role of a tutor. It sucked quite a lot of my study time to groom you, and then you passed with flying colours. Remember, Dad gifted you a wristwatch, but you never allowed me to wear it even once?
“Your love for your sibling seems boundless; be careful of this self-centered brat.” Mom joked often, but I always took your side, brushing away her apprehensions. I knew she didn’t mean it because she loved both of us.
While you piddled around and goofed up your grades and triggered Dad’s anger, I stood by you. I took it upon myself to ensure you cleared your graduation with decent marks.
I still remember that for your graduation ceremony, you wanted an extravagant pair of shoes. Mom and Dad were up in arms, dissuading me from buying them for you. I disobeyed them and got you the one you had asked for. I was earning well, you see. I just wanted to see your proud countenance when you went up the stage to collect your certificate, wearing those sparkling black shoes.
I felt very important when you chose to disclose to me first your love for a girl from a different religion even before you spoke to Mom and Dad.
You cannot deny that I put my best foot forward to convince Mom and Dad, but eventually I failed,
We drifted apart when you left home to marry that girl of your choice while I stayed with our parents.
Our families met on rare occasions. The bonding between cousins never happened.
You never came to see our parents when they were ailing and bedridden. And when the last of our parents passed away, you broached the subject of your share in the property.
Your infuriation was caused by my asking for time to settle it. “We will meet in court!” were the last words you spoke to me.
Today, you may repent for your harsh behaviour if you know why I asked for time to settle the property. You never gave me a chase to explain. I needed the endorsements of my children, three of them scattered around the globe. Silly you, what made you feel I would usurp your share when I had planned to bequeath mine in your name? I know life has been hard on you, and your ego stopped you from approaching me for financial help.
The same brother who had approached me with tears in his eyes to help him with his studies was lost in the grid of the mundane life. Opening up to an elder brother was looked down as disgraceful. How sad!
What have you done to yourself? Not bothering to care for your health. The umpteen tubes jutting in and out of your body frightens me. Here, take your property papers along with my share too; the children have signed it. Please get well soon.
Hey, why are the tears flowing from your eyes? Hold the papers. No, why are you tearing them into pieces? They are the original documents confirming that I have given my share of the property too to you. Are you saying something? Wait, let me come closer.
Hahaha, you want to play the Cowrie Shell game? I will get the shells soon, but this time, fair play!