Rakhi is a band tied by a sister to remind her brother the bond of love and his responsibility to guard her throughout their life. As a token of love, he would treat her with sweets and presents. This festival is widely celebrated in northern India, though the tradition has been practiced in the south too, for gathering brothers and sisters for celebrating their affections.
Today I received an envelope with a pretty Rakhi and a letter with priceless words
"
Hi Annaya,
Wish you Happy RAKSHABANDHAN.....
Hope this Rakhi brings happiness and care for you.
'Friends come and go, but my dear brother, u r ALWAYS there' :-)
Koni
Please tie this on Aug 24th (on behalf of me :-) )
"
Getting a Rakhi from her is a routine. But this year is so different.
I’m not in college to be thinking of classes and exams. Today my office is also not working, for being engrossed with work. It is not summer or a rainy day, to be lost in chores.
Also, there is no one around to tie the Rakhi on my sister’s behalf.
After I tied the tied it myself, and offered prayers after many months, memories reeled on.
As she was my junior ever since school, she had to take the text-books I’ve read for an academic year. I maintained them tidy, though I used to underline here-n-there, scribble notes and scrap many unimportant junk, she'd never complained.
I'm not sure how far were my text-books and short-notes useful for her, but she always used to retain my name on them. Whether she felt strong or she wasn’t left with a choice, my sister used to follow my path. We enrolled in different universities for graduation and though the specialization was the same, the syllabus and prescribed reading was different.
Just same as I used to write her name on all my books, my sister also used to write my name on all her stationery. I hold the credit of giving her the name 'Konica', with my unclear mumblings at just age of an year-and-a-half. She loves that name as much as I do. ‘Konica’ means smile and happiness, and she always brings happiness to me.
Since graduation, there was hardly anything I could do for her, rather, I was capable of doing for her. She bagged a job, while I was still pursuing my higher education. While she wanted to do her M.B.A, she settled for a job, as per the advice of parents. She is a smart and sensible lady, who certainly is a pride for our family. While I was always the irresponsible and rude brat, she played the calm and composed princess.
While we were in primary school, at the least, once a week, I had to run around the streets of our colony to all her buddies' homes to find her. She was always there to help me out when I wanted someone to judge my decision. She will pull me to earth, when I’m wandering in dreamland and getting lost with unrealistic thoughts.
Anyone who knows us for the past decade would certainly say that my sister was always elder to me in wisdom, success and responsibility. For the last five years, she has been mending my thought process when I step off the track.
In our childhood if there was deficit in rendering change to the vegetable vendor, my mom would take it from one of our kiddy-bank. While I never used to ask it to be refilled, she always asked for a compensation along with interest. Such a calculative girl bought me a geometry-box, when I lost mine in eighth standard, but doesn’t even remember it. She was good in planning her financials and future, even as a kid. While I fiddled around with stupid decisions and hasty moves, she always followed the golden rules of parents for her certain success.
Around the same time, when there was a discussion at my grand-parents' place, of whom we love most in this world, I remember everyone staying perplexed with whom I've mentioned. When I got up from my mom's lap, while she was expecting herself to be mentioned, I declared that its' my sis. I'm sure that my love to her was restricted to only words and letters. Though she never made such statements to anyone, it is quite evident that she cares and adores me thousand fold more.
There are many instances when I've let go of her, giving preference for my friends over her. When we have a fight over some silly issue, I'd end up not letting her number be in my dialed-list for a month. Unlike with my friends, I've hardly ever compromised with her, though she forgives my thick-head in every instance.
Whenever I was angry on something, I used to yell at my sister. She used to convey my concerns to parents, but never complained. It was the day before her marriage, that I’ve promised that I’d never again yell at her, no matter whatever happens. That was the day when I thought that I should stop trying to convince her on something, by just raising my brow and tone. Whom was I kidding..? Every such instance was either my ego or an attempt to gain an upper hand to win an argument.
People say that responsibility comes after getting married, but my sister was a lot more even before. She is pretty decently settled in life with a caring husband and a good job. Now she and my brother-in-law advise me advise me anything I discuss with them. They are at my reach anytime required. They call hardly once in a week, but care for me more than I do.
She is my baby sister for names’ sake, but she has been taking care of myself as if I were her baby brother. I’m elder to her in age, education, height and weight. One day I might win hearts of more friends and family, earn more than her, but I’m sure I’d never be able to comprehend her love.
I couldn't reach her mobile phone today.
Happy Rakhi, my dear sis!
