Denied the freedom he once enjoyed, Shamasuddin felt trapped within his brother’s home

In the heart of Nowhatta’s old city, amidst narrow alleyways resonating with ancient prayers, lived Shamasuddin and Zohra. Shamasuddin, a retired teacher with a gentle demeanour and a passion for poetry, found solace in their cozy home surrounded by books. Zohra, renowned for her culinary skills and warm hospitality, filled their days with the fragrance of spices and the laughter of neighbours. Despite their childless union, their home stood as a testament to a lifetime of shared love and cherished memories.

During a family gathering to celebrate Eid, distant relatives approached Shamsuddin and Zohra with feigned concern and hidden agendas. They whispered about the couple’s lack of children and speculated on the inheritance of their home and savings. Among them was Shamim, Shamasuddin’s charming yet cunning younger brother, who took a keen interest in their affairs, offering financial advice under the guise of familial concern.

Tragedy struck when Zohra passed away, leaving Shamasuddin adrift in a world suddenly devoid of its warmth. He moved into his brother’s residence in Nawab Bazar, where he faced unexpected restrictions. Despite his years as a respected educator in BEd Distance Education, his nephew Masood and brother Shamim confined him, citing concerns for his well-being. This decision isolated Shamasuddin from his professional life and severed his ties to the community he had served diligently for decades.

Denied the freedom he once enjoyed, Shamasuddin felt trapped within his brother’s home. His active mind, fueled by a passion for education and literature, now wrestled with confinement and helplessness. His daily newspaper, a source of connection to the world, was discontinued, worsening his mental health. His bicycle, once a symbol of independence and exercise, was taken away, leaving him without the simple joy of a morning ride.

Attempts to challenge these restrictions were met with dismissive reassurances from Masood, who controlled Shamasuddin’s finances and daily activities. As months passed, Shamasuddin’s health deteriorated under the weight of confinement, grief over losing Zohra, and betrayal by his own family. His heart, burdened by sorrow, struggled to endure.

In moments of quiet reflection, Shamasuddin found solace in memories of Zohra and their life together. His poetry, once a source of inspiration, became a silent companion in the dimly lit rooms of his brother’s house. Legal avenues seemed distant and complex, leaving him resigned to his circumstances.

Maqsood, Shamasuddin’s nephew, seized control of their old home at Fateh Kadal, converting it for business use. The cherished library, filled with Shamasuddin’s books, was dismantled and sold off, its intellectual value reduced to mere weight. In its place, a showroom of treadmills and exercise bikes replaced the sanctuary of thought and learning.

As Shamasuddin’s health declined, Maqsood restricted his access to food and medication, exacerbating his frailty. Afraid to leave the house, Shamasuddin succumbed to his deteriorating health one quiet afternoon, as the call to prayer echoed through Nowhatta’s alleys. His passing left behind a legacy tainted by greed and broken trust, evoking sorrow and regret throughout the community.

Shamasuddin’s story stands as a poignant reminder of the resilience of love and the devastating impact of familial betrayal. His life, marked by dedication to education and love for Zohra, ended in a home that once held warmth and comfort but became a symbol of confinement and neglect.