I’m a 26-year-old guy, and this is something that’s been weighing on me for a while. I have an elder brother, 28, and last year we started a small fast-food café along with his girlfriend. From the very beginning, I had doubts — the location wasn’t great, and there was no unique selling point in our food. Still, I supported him wholeheartedly, because he’s my brother. I helped financially, managed graphic design, and contributed wherever I could.
After a year, the café ran into a loss of nearly 3 lakhs. We had no funds left, so we all mutually agreed to shut it down — including his girlfriend.
After that, my brother got into an arranged marriage. But even after his marriage, he continued meeting and staying with his ex-girlfriend. I knew it wasn’t right, but I didn’t say anything — mainly because he has anger issues, and he rarely listens to me. He always believes he’s right, even when he’s clearly wrong.
Recently, he decided to start another café with a new partner, planning to give it out as a franchise. But this time, the location was three times more expensive than the previous one. I advised him to find a more affordable place, but he ignored my suggestion, saying this was a “prime location.”
Later on, problems started with the new partner. The partner threatened to remove our branding and start his own brand. I told my brother to let it go — to protect his mental peace and just step away. We took all our old items, like the camera and menu boards, but left behind items that the partner had invested in.
But instead of letting it go, my brother suggested we post fake reviews about the partner’s business on Google. I didn’t agree with it, but I also didn’t stop him. I stayed silent… because I’m emotional, and every time I try to correct him, he gets rude with me. So I let it happen.
But things took a worse turn when the old partner retaliated by posting fake reviews on our parents’ business. I tried again to convince my brother to take down our reviews and ask the partner to do the same. But my brother refused, saying we will never bow down.
That’s when I told him, “Do what you feel is right, but don’t involve me anymore. I’m choosing my own path.” And when I distanced myself, he cried and told our parents that I left him stranded in the middle of a storm.
Now I keep asking myself — did I fail as a brother? Am I not a good brother?
And now my brother is not talking with me.
Comments
You didn’t fail. You supported him, but had to set boundaries when things got toxic. It’s tough, but his choices aren’t your responsibility.