The Black Day
It was around 4.00 am on Mangsir 23 rd 2081 B.S. (Dec. 8 th , 2024) and I was lying on the bed in a deep sleep, when suddenly my phone rang. Half-asleep, I blindly reached for it and answered. The voice on the other end was cold and sharp — the police. Your brother has met with an accident,” they said. In that instant, my heart stopped, I could barely process what they were saying. My eyes shot open, my heartbeat raced and a wave of fear washed over me. They told me to go to Lumbini City Hospital immediately to see my brother. I grabbed the keys to my bike and rushed out, my mind in a whirlwind, not knowing what to expect.
When I arrived at the hospital, the sight of my brother condition hit me like a punch to the gut. I could barely recognize him — he, the person who had always been strong and healthy, now lying there, vulnerable and broken. The sight of him in agony, unable to move, was something I could never have imagined. He’s, my world, the person who always had my back and now, I couldn’t even see him in such a state.
Growing up, he was always the protector, the one who would stand up for me. Even small illnesses or minor alignments would make him anxious and now he is facing something far beyond anything I could have imagined. I felt utterly powerless. I’m the youngest in the family and at that moment, I felt the biggest weight of responsibility on my shoulders in that daddy just went back abroad and I was the one who had to take very tough and bold decisions to strengthen my family.
Telling my parents was the hardest part. I couldn’t summon the courage to inform them but when they called, I had no choice but to break the news. My heart was shattering or breaking when I was pronouncing or speaking the words. We came to know that the hospital in Butwal was not equipped for such a serious condition, so we arranged for a helicopter to bring him to Kathmandu. The struggle of making those calls, of getting him the treatment he needed, felt like an eternity. But finally, we managed to get him to the National Trauma Centre, where he is being cared for. The doctors are doing all they can and I’m holding on to the hope that he will recover soon.
My Bonding with Him
Since childhood, my brother and I have shared everything – our bed, our memories, our expectations and grievances, our thoughts, our dreams and so on. Although there’s a six-year age gap between us, I’ve always felt more like a friend than a sibling. That bond was forged through countless experiences, yet always underpinned by a deep respect for him as my elder brother. He is, after all, the one who taught me life’s important lessons, even when we didn’t say them aloud.
Our father was often away, working hard to raise/support us and our mother, despite being a pillar of love and care, was busy managing the household. So, my brother became my guide, my protector. He filled the role of a father in many ways. Even now, when I need advice or someone to talk to, he’s the first person I turn to. We shared everything growing up — from clothes to dreams, secrets to ambitions. Even though I’m younger, he always respects my opinions and asks for my thoughts, and that makes me feel valued. Our relationship has never been limited to just family obligations; it’s built on trust, respect and deep understanding. We’ve
been through so much together and we’ve always had each other’s backs.
What we share isn’t just about blood but about the unspoken bond of friendship. It’s not just about being brothers, it’s about being there for each other — through the good times and the bad. Even though our paths diverge, our connection is rooted in love and respect. No matter what happens, I know we’ll always be there for each other.
My Precious Prayer to the Lord
In my life, I have prayed many times – but not for any particular purpose, only for self- satisfaction. So, I had never prayed with such urgency and desperation as I do now. This time, however, I am pleading with the Lord with all my heart for my brother’s recovery. For the first time, I am asking for something not for myself but for him. I have cried countless times, my tears falling freely as I pray for his healing. If there is some divine or spiritual power, I haven’t asked for anything till today. And if I have earned some virtues by my actions so far and to be earned in the future, I dedicate the entire portion of those virtues to my elder brother and wish him good health. Oh Lord! Please guide the doctors, nurses and everyone involved in his care. Let them be your hands in healing him and may their hearts be filled with the knowledge, wisdom and compassion needed to restore him to health. My prayers are now focused on my one desire for my brother to be healed. His health, his life – these are the milestones that matter to me more than anything else. I want nothing more in this world than for him to get well.
I know the road ahead won’t be easy. I know it’s going to take time and his recovery may not happen overnight but I have faith i.e. faith in God, faith in doctors and faith in my brother self-confidence. There’s nothing in this world that is impossible and I believe that my brother will emerge even stronger from this. I rely on the divine indulgence of the Lord and I trust that everything happening now is part of a greater plan — a plan that, with God’s grace & mercy, will restore my brother to full health.
My message to Him
While I have spoken to you about many things during our time in the hospital, there remain countless thoughts and emotions I have yet to voice. In these difficult moments, I am acutely aware of your suffering and though my heart is overwhelmed with emotions, the gravity of the situation prevents me from fully expressing them. Now, through these words, I hope to convey what my heart has longed to say. As your younger brother, I stand by your side as in the past, through every challenge, offering my support in every high and low you face. I recognize that my role in your life is far from passive and from this moment onward, I vow to be even more responsible and mindful of my actions toward you.
I will uphold a sense of duty and honor in all that I do for you. No words can truly encapsulate the depth of my love and gratitude for you. It is boundless, immeasurable and beyond the reach of expression. My promise to you is unwavering: I will care for and protect you throughout my life with the same devotion and loyalty as Lakshman cared for and protected Lord Ram as characterized in the Ramayana. This is not just a pledge, but an essential part of who I am. I am eternally grateful to be your brother and there will always be a sense of incompleteness within me without you by my side.
You are my world and I can’t imagine a future without your presence. Please know (even if you don’t know it now) that I stand with you in this moment and will continue to do so as you recover. My thoughts and prayers are always with you, hoping for your swift and full recovery. With all my love and support,
Your Brother:
Keshav Gharti Magar
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