When Joy Becomes Betrayal
Something felt different when I arrived. The yard looked the same… the walls hadn’t moved… but the air had changed. My brothers were quiet. They no longer gathered in the main house the way they used to. No laughter. No arguing over small things. Just closed doors. They were too busy with their own lives to notice I was back. Except Joshua — my adopted brother. He smiled the moment he saw me. Not the polite kind… the real one. Even though I never told anyone I was coming home. We sat outside for a moment. Seeing how tense everything felt, I asked him, “What’s been happening while I was gone?” He hesitated. “To be honest with you, bhuti… it’s everyone for himself now.” I nodded slowly. “Oh… I see,” I said softly. “But things will be fine.” I don’t know if I was comfort
- Writer
