The Brotherhood

They are out there.

Waiting.

Watching.

Ready to strike.

They are everywhere.

From the passenger sitting next to one on the bus ride home, to the
patient coming to get herself examined, to the doctor who is in charge
of the hospital, to the elderly grocer at the oldest shop in the
neighbourhood, to the members of one's own family inside one's own
home, the infiltration is complete. There is no getting away from
them.

It is the oldest brotherhood in the history of humankind. A
brotherhood with an appeal so universal that it has the highest
membership ever. The membership isn't based on race, religion, caste,
creed, mother tongue or any such trivial detail. Even enemies are
members. In a sense it is the most secular of all brotherhoods. And
the most dangerous ever too. Every living moment of a member seems to
be a concerted effort to find the right target, lure it into a
suitable trap and then go for the kill. Once the slaughter is
complete, its time to move on to the next victim.

The choice of the target is based on certain criteria- the age, looks,
social position, family status, caste, creed, mother tongue and
numerous other complexities. If it fits the bill, strategy is drawn,
feelers are sent, the trap is prepared, the bait dangled and if it
works, clang! The trap is shut.

One can't do anything other than being careful. Prepared for every
eventuality. Keep the cerebral radar out to identify the most
dangerous ones. Life has to go on even under a sword hanging over
one's head.

Still, one gets shivers down the spine when some member is
obstinate/foolhardy enough to confront with a direct question "Shaadi
kab kar rahe ho beta?" ("When are you getting married, Son?")