Holocaust victim

What is one piece of advice you are glad you ignored?

I just didn't ignore when it came, I defied it.

Year 2008: My brother lost his baby right before its birth. The doctor said that the baby had stopped breathing.

Year 2010: My brother lost his second baby 2 days after its birth. At this point of time, the doctors said that the lungs have stopped functioning due to some infection.

By now, we had seen 2 healthy looking infants die and it was really painful for everyone of us. Following the news many of our neighbours or relatives visited us with their pieces of advice,

"Jaroor Is Ghar Me Kuch Gadbad Hai." (This place must be under some evil spirit.)

"Shakya Ji! Koi Hai Jo Khushi Nahi Dekh Pa Raha Hai Aapki." (Someone is there who is not happy to see you happy.)

"Kuch Pooja Paath Karwa Ke Shudhdhi Karwa Lo." (Get some 'Pooja' done.)

Before this, we had never ever believed in any such superstitions or myths but I don't know what influenced my father that he with my Bhabhi's uncle even visited a so called 'Baba' who claimed that in the piece of land where we'd built our home on, a young kid had been buried alive some 50 years ago and now this same kid was avenging his death. He further suggested my father to let him come to our place and to conduct a special 'Pooja' so that we could become free from this evil spirit.

Though the other members were somewhat convinced with this chain of thoughts but I was adamant not to let any 'Baba' enter our home. I clearly stated that if at all it happened, I would leave and get settled in some other city.

I still remember the day when my mother came to me requesting, "Beta! Jid Chhod De, Kya Pata Pooja Se Sab Thik Ho Jaye. (Son! Please leave it and let it happen, who knows if everything gets all right with the effect of this Pooja.)

I asked, "Maa, Aur Agar Sach Me Sab Thik Ho Gya To?" (Maa! What if everything really got all right?)

My mother: What? What do you mean?

Me: If at all everything gets all right with the effect of this Pooja, we'll keep on calling this 'Baba' whenever we face any adversities in our life. What has happened to us was not in our hands but the current situation is.

My mother didn't utter a word and left.

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