Justice Spelled Out At Last; English Short Story: Author: Deepak Budki; Translator: Jawahar Lal Bhat

Justice Spelled Out At Last; English Short Story

  Author: Deepak Budki

 Translator: Jawahar Lal Bhat

Immediately after the death of their parents in a fatal accident, the hostility between the brothers surfaced in the open. The whole edifice fell like a house of cards. Thank God their only sister had been married earlier otherwise, she would have suffered the most. A common kitchen served the joint family till the parents were alive. All earning brothers would place their salaries in the hands of their mother on the very first day of the month. Earlier the mother used to feel as much contented when her husband was the sole bread earner of the family as she felt now when all her sons except one were earning and filling the coffers of the family. But this delight and satiation were short-lived. It ended the very day when both their parents died in a fatal road accident as their car skidded on a hilly road while negotiating a sharp curve.

Until next Friday all went well as the whole household was in a state of mourning. The same day a formal meeting of all brothers was arranged after sunset to talk about the future course of action due to changed circumstances. The discussion was initiated by the eldest well-to-do brother, Dr Ilyas Wani, who was a Reader at the local university. As is common among teachers, both Dr Ilyas and his wife were very miserly and would avoid any extra expenditure beyond the bare minimum. They were selfish too. God also didn’t treat them kindly. He denied them the joy of having a child of their own though more than a decade had passed since they had got married.

Dr Wani started thus, “Brothers, I would like to be straightforward and unambiguous today. You know in modern times nuclear families are the in thing and everybody wants to live separately without interference by others. Times have changed a lot. Everyone has his own priorities in life. A person's own problems are so complicated that he cannot afford to take responsibility for others. So I suggest that we divide our heredity property immediately after arriving at a consensus.”

All the brothers agreed sheepishly. Second brother Showkat Wani, who was an Engineer in State Public Works Department, was eagerly waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He had always cherished a dream of owning a luxurious comfortable house with modern facilities. To this end, he would quietly put aside all the extra money he was able to earn in the shape of bribes and commissions during his service. So he quickly responded, “Dear brothers, our parents have left this ten-room house, bank deposits worth fifty thousand rupees and some gold ornaments. I suggest ornaments and proceeds of the fixed deposits be given to the sister. Married brothers should be apportioned three rooms each while one large room which is double the size of others is kept reserved for unmarried Asghar.”

“What a pity! How is it you propose only one room for Asghar! Is he not our brother?” the third brother, Javed Wani spoke out in favor of Aghar who was the youngest of all. Javed had hardly passed the matriculation examination after facing many failures his father arranged a shop for him by paying a premium of a lakh of rupees in the busy market. Javed started a readymade garments shop there and was satisfied with his earnings because the expenses for his family comprising two kids and a wife were met.”

“You see, as yet Asghar is unable to earn anything. We’ll have to take care of his education and other expenses till he is ready for a job. Nobody knows how many years he will still take to stand on his own feet.” Showkat Wani replied in all seriousness.

Asghar Wani was listening to the conversation quietly. He preferred to be silent in the situation as any interjection by him could invite trouble. Asghar had been admitted to a college about two months back. He was very good in studies but it would take him not less than three years to complete his graduation, and thereafter some more time to find out a job. Nobody could say how long it would take him to be on his own. Moreover, he had developed a relationship with Parveen, a girl in the neighbourhood who was eagerly waiting to get married to him. She had been able to win the hearts of his parents but with their passing away she found it difficult to enter their house even. Rarely would she get a chance to meet her beloved Asghar, sometimes while going to school or while going to the market. She would ask him about his welfare and nothing more. But now for the last few days, she too cold-shouldered him.

The discussion did not end with the division of their house only but continued with what to do with Asghar and how to finance his studies and daily expenses.

“About the maintenance of Asghar, I suggest all of us should jointly bear his responsibility till at least he completes his graduation and is able to find a job. It would be proper that Asghar stays with each brother for a year by rotation and he would take his responsibility during that year. The arrangements will continue till he is able to earn to maintain himself independently.”

The suggestion seemed reasonable so everyone agreed but in heart of hearts, Asghar was deeply traumatized. Something like an earthquake was shaking him from the inside. The demise of his parents had made him a pauper in his own house. He would frequently shed tears like torrential rains in his solitude and think why was he reduced to such a condition of helplessness. He felt he was living the life of a beggar who had to extend his needy hands for the necessities of life and that too in front of his own kith and kin who regarded him as a liability.

With passing days he began reconciling little by little with the changed circumstances and concentrated more on his studies which, he thought, could prove to be the only authentic support to his otherwise dissipated life. While he was trying to come to terms with his new life he had to face another shock that shook the very foundations of his existence. One day Parveen revealed to him that she had been engaged to a doctor and was going to be married next month. She had tried her best to bring her parents around to her choice of Asghar but they refused flatly on the pretext that Asghar had been deserted and emasculated by his brothers who had grabbed his share of the ancestral property. They added that handing her over to Asghar in marriage was no less than throwing her into a ditch. Parveen had tearfully expressed her willingness to her parents that she was ready to spend her life with Asghar in whatever condition he might keep her but they did not yield to her beseeching and she had to ultimately submit before their wishes. Asghar reckoned in deep distress that not only his nears and dears but God as well was playing false with him under a conspiracy.

However, he showed exemplary courage in facing misfortunes and somehow passed the graduation examination whereafter he decided not to pursue further education. Asghar felt things slowly easing for him and therefore decided to do some business in order to stand on his own legs. This would also relieve him from dependence on his brothers. On the advice of his friend Imran, Asghar accompanied him to peddle Kashmir Shawls and other embroidered goods in Delhi and Kolkata. A number of such hucksters from Kashmir can be seen during winter in the streets of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other cities of India selling handicrafts from Kashmir at reasonable prices.

His brothers were very much pleased with his going away since it relieved them of his burden. Meanwhile, Showkat Wani, the engineer, sold his portion of the house to his elder brother and constructed a grand bungalow using his illegal earnings accumulated over the years. On the other hand, their sister never looked back after collecting her share from the brothers. Slowly the siblings scattered like beads from a broken string got engrossed with their own life and rarely came across each other.

Asghar had to stay in Delhi with his friend for a few days before he could proceed to Kolkata. One day while he was casually walking near the Andhra Bhawan his eyes fell on some people fighting among themselves. Two groups of people of rival political parties were engaged in the most deplorable fight with each other while one man lay injured on the footpath bleeding profusely. His clothes had been torn to pieces and he was unconscious. Nobody in the gathering cared to help him get up or take him to the hospital for treatment.  Taking pity on his condition Asghar went near him and tried to bring him back to a conscious state. Asghar cut a piece of his torn shirt and tied it to the bleeding wound on his head. He also purchased a bottle of cold water from a nearby stall and made him drink some water till he found him fit to be carried to a hospital. Then he hired an auto-rickshaw and took him to the nearest hospital where his wounds were dressed and he was given some medication. After taking a rest for a couple of hours he was allowed to go back to the Bhawan as he had regained his consciousness fully. Asghar escorted him back to Andhra Bhawan. Now his condition was stable and the atmosphere around Andhra Bhawan had also returned to normal. He took Asghar directly to the dining hall and ordered coffee.

“Brother, my name is Salim Ansari. I’ve been recently elected to the Parliament from Andhra Pradesh. I find no words to thank you for saving my life. I would have bled to death if you had not attended to me in time. Actually, I am suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes so the risk was greater.”

Asghar was astonished to notice how respectable people like Members of Parliament fight like street dogs for political gains. Hearing Saleem Ansari he too shuddered with the thought that the latter would have died on the footpath if he had not helped him in time. He replied, “You don't have to thank me. I simply did my duty as a human being.”

“That’s your greatness! May I know something about you?” 

“My name is Asghar Wani. I am a hawker from Kashmir, sell Kashmir Shawls and other embroidered items here.”

“You seem to be well educated?”

“Yeah, I’ve recently passed my graduation in the first division but due to poor financial conditions couldn't continue further.”

Salim Ansari became curious to know more about him and probed further. In reply, Asghar told him briefly all about himself and the misfortunes he had to face in the past. Salim Ansari was very much moved and felt deep sympathy for him. In order to console him, Ansari said, “These days we are facing severe political turmoil. Many people are leaving the ruling political party and joining other parties. They are driving me hard to switch over to their faction but I don't agree as I consider it disloyalty. Since I refused them so they misbehaved with me. If God wishes and our party proves the majority, our good days will return. As regards the beating episode, such things do happen in public life.”

“I beg to disagree with you on this count. Is it advisable to risk precious life for the sake of a petty power? You don't know what pitiable condition you were in lying on the footpath. If your wound had been deeper or you had bled for some time more you would not have been talking to me here this time.”

“You are right but these are the demands of political life. We have to be ready to face such situations boldly. We can't avoid such confrontations.”

After a while, Asghar stood up, offered his hand for a handshake and asked permission from Saleem Ansari to leave. His parting words were, “That’s your choice in life, you may do as you like, let me leave now!”

“All right, but remember one thing, I’m leaving for Hyderabad tomorrow and will return after a week. Be sure to meet me when I return. Let us see how things shape up!” Having said so he too stood up and not only shook hands with Asghar heartily but also hugged him warmly.

Coming out of Andhra Bhawan, Asghar Wani began feeling on cloud nine. His joy knew no bounds but the very next moment he felt disillusioned. He thought with himself that Salim Ansari was a politician and politicians are not reliable, they show you many rosy pictures but ditch you at the time you need them most. Immediately the balloon of his high hopes burst off and dashed to the ground.

During the ensuing week, everything changed dramatically. On one hand, Asghar reached Kolkata to pursue his newly adopted trade while on the other Salim Ansari became Deputy Minister in the Central Cabinet. Though Asghar had forgotten the episode yet his sixth sense prompted him to meet Salim Ansari in Delhi. He reluctantly reached Delhi two days late and did not expect a positive response from the latter. Despite his bewilderment, he reached Andhra Bhawan on the ninth day. It was Sunday. He was informed at the reception that Salim Ansari has been appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Family Welfare and has been allotted Bungalow Number 15 on Ashoka Road where he lives now. Asghar felt a strange hesitation in meeting him. He thought to himself, "These politicians are like veritable chameleons. God knows how he would treat me now. Once they get a status their minds soar high in the skies. I doubt whether he would recognize me or not.

“Still there’s no harm in meeting him, maybe it turns out a good meeting!” Some voice from inside came alive to wake him from his despair. Immediately he went to meet Salim Ansari at his residence and to his utter astonishment, he found him waiting.

“Come on Asghar! Where were you all these days? You kept me waiting for so long. I told you to meet me in a week.”

“Sir, I had gone to Kolkata in connection with hawking handicrafts. I thought of earning some money before you return. I reached here just today morning.”

“Okay, it’s fine. You must have heard that I’ve been appointed a Deputy Minister.”

“Yes Sir! Accept my hearty congratulations.”

“But I think it is you who deserves congratulations. Had you not saved my life on that day how could I have held this position? Anyway, all is well that ends well!”

“Sir, you are putting me to shame. Who am I to save anyone's life? It was all willed by God and I became his tool.”

“That's your humility. It’s fine. Now listen to what I say. I treat you as a dear and sincere friend of mine capable to hold my trust and confidence. I intend to appoint you as my Personal Assistant responsible to maintain my personal communications, fixing appointments, and maintaining public relations on my behalf.”

Asghar did not believe his ears. He wanted to jump with excitement but preferred to remain calm. He replied in a humble tone,” Sir, I am very grateful to you for the confidence you are showing in me. I will do as you direct me, Sir!”

The next day Asghar took charge in the office and completed all the required formalities. The Personal Secretary to the Minister explained to him all about the nature of his job saying that he will soon pick up the niceties of his work.

Salim Ansari not only accommodated him in his own Bungalow but also made him part of his household. He stayed in Delhi alone and would occasionally bring his family from Hyderabad. In return, Asghar performed the job assigned to him with utmost trust and sincerity. It looked as if Asghar and Salim were real brothers brought up together right from early childhood.

The world of Asghar changed completely but he didn't forget the pain he had undergone in the past. He remained focused on his objectives to make his life comfortable for the future. He completed his MBA from Indira Gandhi National Open University in two years' time which further opened doors of his progress rapidly.

Back home in Kashmir, his relatives heard about him and got keenly interested in knowing more and more about him and his growth beyond their expectations. His brothers wanted to patch up differences and make up for their past misdoings with him but he did not respond favourably. His sisters-in-law specifically tried to net him in matrimonial alliance with their kin but he showed no interest. He could not forget the day when his parents died and his brothers had lost no time to raise partitions in the ancestral house so much so they robbed him of his due rights in the ancestral property. What had pained him the most was his reduction to beggary in his own house where he had to bear the nudges and hostile facial expressions of his sisters-in-law and brothers alike for his legitimate daily needs. The behavior of his only sister was much worse for she never tried to ask about his welfare after she parted with a sizeable share of her parents’ savings.

In total contrast, Salim Ansari was sent by God as an angel to him. He filled in the vacuum of both father and mother in his life, especially in the most insecure period when he was facing an absolute void of despair around him. Ansari looked after his needs and aspirations and made him stand with his head high in this crooked world. Moreover, he arranged his marriage with a pretty local girl belonging to an affluent family who was a lecturer in a college. In the marriage, none of his relations or friends were invited except of course Imran, who had stood by him during adversity.

Time marched on with incredible speed. One fine morning Imran informed Asghar on the phone that his eldest brother Prof Ilyas Wani has been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors in the hospital had advised him to specialized treatment and surgery in Delhi preferably in AIIMS because treatment in a good private hospital would cost him at least ten lakh rupees which would be far beyond his reach. Imran further informed him that his brother was writhing in pain and his appointment for surgery at AIIMS has been fixed after one month as there were many such cases waiting for similar treatment but the long wait will further deteriorate his condition.

Everyone advised his brother and sister-in-law to contact Asghar in Delhi who should be able to manage his appointment in AIIMS immediately. Professor's wife entreated her husband to forget the past and contact Asghar for help. She wanted her husband to borrow time from Death as she could see the writing on the wall. But he flatly refused saying how would he ask help from Asghar whom he had deserted and damned most cruelly at the time of need. He further added that he would not be able to face Asghar as he considered himself a criminal who denied his younger brother his legitimate right and care, being the eldest brother in the family on whom such responsibility devolved after the parents.

Asghar did not sleep for the whole night. He found that his own blood was calling him for help and he could not be so heartless as to refuse the call. Professor had no doubt been harsh to him when Asghar needed his support but it was not advisable to pay him back in the same coin. "Maybe God is testing me and my prudence, as also my capabilities of generosity. God wants all of us to be kind and helpful. If I refuse I should be committing a grave offence." Asghar had a dialogue with his conscience and in the end was convinced that he should extend a helping hand.

The next morning, he took a recommendation letter from the Minister to the Head of the Institute for the immediate admission of Prof Ilyas on priority. He personally met the doctors concerned and further arranged for the airlift of the patient the same day. All tests were conducted on the patient expeditiously and the following week he was operated on for a tumour in his stomach. After a long time, he gained consciousness and found Asghar standing in his front. His eyes became moist with remorse and repentance. His daughters too were standing in attendance and he understood that Asghar had secured their life too. It was the same Asgar whose life was made insecure by him through his malevolent actions. Professor Ilyas was torn apart by his inner contradictions but maintained calm on the surface.

Gathering courage at last he called Asghar beside him and confessed in a trembling voice, “Asghar, my dear younger brother, the truth is that I’m your real culprit because I was the eldest in the family and should have been more discreet and protective. I know I’m not even worthy of pardon, yet I ask you to please forgive me if you can.”

 

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