26. THE LAST STRAW OF MY MAIKA
One day when Neyaz came from office, he was in tears. Information had come
from Karachi that my Bhaiya has passed away. How could such a news be taken
without a deep impact over me. He was the only sibling I was left with. Even
though he was living in a separated environment, still he was my own elder
brother and my only childhood companion. Towards the fag end of his life, he
was writing letters more frequently. There was often a problem in sending
letters to Pakistan from India, so I used to route them through America.
Through one of the earlier letters I came to know that he had a heart attack
and was hospitalized. I also came to know that under high cost of treatment his
financial condition too had deteriorated.
The Behari lane house belonging to my Amman was like my ancestral house
where most of my early life was spent. Even though my children never preferred
to stay there, its rental revenues were still a source of regular income;
however meager it was. When our own house in Rajendra Nagar was to be
constructed and means of finance were falling short, I suggested to dispose of
the Behari Lane House. But Doctor Saheb did not agree to this proposition and
let it remain as a token of my parents memory.
As a matter of fact, I should have been eligible for only a legitimate
portion of that house, the other portion should have gone to Bhaiya. But
Bhaiyya had borrowed one lack rupees from Amman earlier and at that point of
time, it was explained to him in unambiguous terms that with this amount, his
share in the house stood forfeited. Later on, he migrated to Karachi and thus
was totally detached. Amman, when she fell ill, she reminded me that
Ali has always been extravagant, you take care of him.
When the pension and rentals were regular inflows, Reyaz once came from
Jamshedpur and announced that urban house ceiling laws were getting enforced
and only one property was to be owned by one person. The govt. might take over
the property that violated the law. I also realized that it is such an old
dilapidated house and if it gives way, there wouldn’t be much market value for
the small piece of land per say. It was eventually decided to dispose it off.
Around the same time when the sale proceeds were received, someone known
to Bhaiya had come over to India and 15 thousand was remitted through him. It
was so satisfying to note that with the proper treatment he was discharged from
the hospital and returned home. If for some reason I couldn’t have send the
money in time, it might have remained a deep regret for the rest of my life.
Being the lone bread earner for the family, he could not afford to take
rest for too long. He was driving himself again when the chest pain recurred.
He was such a strong willed person that he reached the hospital all by himself
and got himself admitted there before informing the other members of the family.
This was the third attack in a row and he could not survive this one and left
for his heavenly abode.
Bhaiya had performed his first Haj before migration with Amman, Bhabhi and
one year old son whom they had adopted. The second time he went for Haj from
Karachi with Bhabhi. As narrated to me by Bhabhi, just before the ahram is tied
around the body, two rikat Namaaz is offered. He kept lying in the prostrate
position of sajdah for a long time and wept so much that the Janemaz got wet
with tears. Hours later when the room was opened his eyes were blood shot and
he was apologizing for his deeds. I am sanguine with the promises of Allah that
He must have forgiven him. Bhabhi says he had since become very religious soul
and the contentment showed on his face and personality. On hearing the tragic
news of his departure, what else could I do except shed tears in silence of my
solitude.
Circumstances were getting from bad to worse for Neyaz. Whatever gift he
gave to me, I used to pass it on to someone more needy. I offered him the
estimated cost of my food taken at his place which had devastating effect on
him and started weeping. I tried to explain that if anyone has a single meal
from the money taken as bribe, his prayers go unheeded for forty days. He said
he was having his own compunctions but was helpless under the circumstances.
I came back to Patna and within a few days Neyaz and Shama too landed
there. Neyaz wasn’t looking well at all. Niamat was there in Patna in those
days and he arranged for a consultation with Dr. Mehendra Narayan. Neyaz had
lost all faith in the medicines and cynically believed that all of them were
spurious. He remained on leave for three months on medical ground. During this
time he was also preparing for his migration to America. I believe
Nikhat and Qamar must have helped in the preparatory paper work, but most of it
was arranged by Neyaz on his own. He asked for my permission which I gave with
alacrity saying that I am myself not in favor of his continuing with current
service. Wished him health and happiness along with earnings from
halal sources. He then left for the stamping of the visa for the family.
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Chapter
INDEX.------------------------------------
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