My Lablu Brother and Me

Examination Hall

 The country has just become independent. It was the year 1972. Then I was in class nine. My cousin will be four or five years older than me. He went to war of liberation. He is a prominent freedom fighter. My great uncle, little uncle went to the war of liberation with him. My cousin's name is Lablu (pseudonym). I had a lot of friendship with Lablu Bhai. He used to study with me in class nine even though he was older than me. We were in the same school same class and same section. That was the Victoria High School Sirajganj. He played football well. He was sometimes hired by different clubs. I would go with him. Lablu Bhai used to let me carry his boot shoes anklet and other equipment bag. He took me with him wherever he went. Good food was served there. Along with Lablu Bhai, I also got some part of him. I liked it very much.

I was watching. Brother Lablu was reading uncommon books. Even though he used to read in my class, I see that he has all the new books. They are books used by someone. And the literature inside that book is different. I was surprised to read in the same class but his books are different. I could hear him reading that new words like "Jim Corbett, Jim Corbett" would come to my ears. I asked him once. Brother Lablu, are you reading all the books, I don't understand anything. He would say in a serious voice "You won't understand them" I would go silent. I thought maybe there is something else that I don't need to know.

Everything became clear to me when the SSC exams started that year. 1972 SSC examination. He had filled the form from another school to give SSC while he was in class nine. Lablu Bhai Rose used to go to the exams every day. I went to the center as far as I can remember. I used to hear that exams were being done independently by looking at books. Lablu Bhai used to return home with exams. And I used to ask, how is the test today, brother? It's not good, Ray, I couldn't answer the flower.

I thought it was very easy to take part in the Examination. If I had, I would have got first division in the examination. I realized that the first division was not easy to achieve by copying the test. When I saw the results of the 1972 SSC test. Although others passed the test, Lablu Bhai could not pass. I dragged the class as usual. New Ten. The next year, in 1973, the SSC examination of the Old Ten. That year, the exams started quite strictly. We will give SSC in 1974. So I started studying hard. Brother Lablu will take part with me again in the SSC examination. During the school exams, Lablu Bhai always manage to sit in the seat right behind me. He used to write by looking at my paper and sometimes I could not turn the page for him until he finished his writing.

Finally in 1974 our SSC exams started. Our center was at Sirajganj Multilateral High School and College. Hundreds were fired on the first day of the exam. Rolls of tears could be heard all around. At least five students were expelled from my hall room. My dear brother was sitting behind me. He was also tried for forgery. I am still writing. Although I had a lot of paper. Which I took for Lablu Bhai. Because I had to figure out the answer to any question.

As soon as the magistrate left our hall and went to another room, I went straight to the bathroom with the permission of the on-duty sir and threw them all away. Thought later though. Shh what did I do at this. I finally left the pages of the book in the bathroom! 

I shouldn't do the same. I repent for my deeds. (to be continued)