Chittagong couple lose both sons within 48 hours
There is no one left in the family of Mohammad Kabir, a service holder, and his wife Ayesha Begum. Within 48 hours, their two sons died one after another.
The news came late on Sunday (8 November), at around 1:45 am. Ten-month-old Abu Bakkar Arab breathed his last in the intensive care unit of the Chattogram Maa O Shishu Hospital. Doctors declared him dead at 1:10 am.
Exactly two days earlier, on Friday morning (6 November), his elder brother, 10-year-old Arafat, had died at the same hospital.
The story of the two brothers' illness is almost the same. First dengue was diagnosed. Then, one after another, symptoms of measles and pneumonia appeared. For nearly two weeks, Kabir and Ayesha spent their days in the hospital corridor.
At first Arafat was taken to Southern Medical. When his condition worsened, he was moved to Imperial. From there, as a last hope, to the Maa O Shishu Hospital. But no effort could bring Arafat back.
After the elder son died, all hope rested on the younger one. Arab was kept on life support. As a father, Kabir begged the doctors. He prayed to the Creator: 'Bring back at least one son.'
Kabir has fallen into debt trying to pay for the treatment of his two sons. His salary was not enough. Yet he thought, money lost can come back, but let the boys live. Kabir said, 'The doctor said, the jewel of my chest is no more. Our laps have become empty.'
On Monday (9 November), the younger son is being laid to rest beside his elder brother. The two brothers will sleep side by side at the Momenbagh graveyard.
