BROTHER BORN TO DISTURB SISTER

As I promised my sister that I would come to meet her in her laws home when I get leave from college. And that day came; I am on a bus to Naini, Prayagraj. I was very excited to meet her for the first time after her marriage. While sitting in comfort, I was recalling our childhood memories, all those school days, and the fun we had in our home. We used to have a big carom board; we would play it every noon after coming from school. our family had a habit of taking a nap after late noon hours. I was well of aware that. The Striker’s noise disturbed the family members who were taking a nap at that time. Sometimes I cheated her in that game. This would often make her cry, which would disturb the sleep of our family members. When they would come to scold us I would blame my sister that she can’t play quietly. We used to play the Carom board in the veranda besides my parents' room, so the noise would easily disturb them. She kept quiet after being scolded but later would say, “I won't forget this humiliation, next time when you will come for my help regarding your studies you will face the consequences of what you just did” One day my father got so frustrated with our carom board noise, and our fights and arguments during the game that he finished that chapter for once and all. He broke the carom board leaving us sad and hopeless as it was our favorite pastime. 

Our neighborhood boys had Ludo game, so we also planned to buy Ludo and for that, we stole ten rupees, and now we would play it quietly and the game wouldn't make a noise like a carom board. She was very good at studies, so I always used to take her help in my studies. It wasn't easy as I had our fights would leave her angry at a time. But i knew the trick i would promise her that I would say her ‘Didi’ (elder sister in Hindi) from now onward. This little respect would melt her and would awaken her sense of being elder to her younger brother. So this ‘Didi” became like a payoff whenever I needed her help I would say ‘Didi’ could you please bring me a glass of water as I am busy, it did not matter to her whether I was busy or not, just listening ‘Didi’ would make her happy. Normally i would call her by her name i.e Sandhya like “Sandhya father is calling you”, “Sandhya get ready for school.” 

I didn't realize that I covered a hundred kilometres just recalling our childhood memories. I was also thinking about whether she would be comfortable in her laws home? How caring her mother and father in law would be? How much home chores she had to face? Whether her sister in law help her in the kitchen or not? With questions of like this and so many other unpredictable things in my mind, was floating. I got upset when I read the newspaper or watch on TV on the harassment of brides or they were not being treated well. The remaining forty kilometres distance got covered with such worries. 

I was about to reach the bus stand near Naini, I was quite nervous; as it was the first time I was going to meet my sister in her in-laws home. 

Sachin my brother in law called me and said, “Manish wait at the bus stand I will pick you up from there on.” 

I said “It is about ten minutes to reach the bus stand.” 

Sachin: “Ok, I am just coming.” 

I deboarded from my bus and watched here and there for a while and without any delay a car stopped beside me, it was Sachin, I received his blessings and sat in the car. We reached his home, I was still nervous, thinking how should I behave and how should their parents react; would they be cordial towards me? Sachin introduced me to all the family members. His parents were more excited and all the family members welcomed me in a very cordial manner. I also met my sister she was standing apart and quiet. I asked about her in little words. I was thinking that after some time she would get busy in the kitchen and I would feel boredom talking to her in-laws but suddenly her mother-in-law said, “Sandhya you sit and talk to your brother I am going to prepare tea.” Sandhya said, “No mumma I will prepare it you sit and talk.” While leaving the kitchen and holding a tray of a glass of water then Sandhya’s sister-in-law said, “You both sit and talk I will manage that.” I took a glass of water. I was amazed by their caring nature towards each other. Sandhya served us sweets and her sister in law got busy in kitchen. Sometime later, Sandhya served us tea while her sister in law served snacks and biscuits. I got my favorite tea which was made without sugar and milk. Holding the cup of my favorite tea, I was like in heaven as Sandhya still remembers about the type of tea I drink. All the family members were sitting together and taking tea and snacks. Her parents talked to me, about the well-being of my parents, about my journey, and my education. I was impressed by their hospitality. It was not like any other orthodox family, as nowadays some people got busy in T.V. or mobile phones and some people get busy in the kitchen, guests had to feel boredom. 

It was not more than one hour when Sandhya and her sister-in-law left us for the kitchen till that time I was talking about Sachin’s job and his future plan. Sandhya along with her sister in law was coming towards us with a smile and we were served cold drinks along with the different types of pakodas and fried brown rice. Though, I do not like cold drinks. 

After half an hour, Sandhya’s mother-in-law said, “Sandhya, take Manish to your room, take your space.” I insisted on Sachin to come along with me. The room was full of books that Sachin liked. I and Sandhya started to gossiping about our old friends. Sandhya told me how much Sachin love and care for her. She also told me that sometimes they go to restaurants on the pretext of the temple. I reminded her of some of our childhood memories, how we were fighting each other for petty things, how I made her angry, what she felt when I would cajole her to do something by calling her ‘Didi’. How much difficulty she had to face to wash her hair when i threw talcum powder on her hair. This was something how i disturbed her. It was our endless talk and could go long lasting. 

Her sister in law interrupted our talk. She said to get ready for the movie. Movie! I was surprised. Sandhya told me that Sachin planned to watch a movie with family and just booked the ticket before you came. Sachin thought it would be great if i could also join them so he booked my ticket also. It was a surprise for me. We all were ready and moving towards the car. Sandhya’s mother-in-law said, “How can we sit in the car, as we are six persons and seat in the car is only five?” Sandhya’s father in law interfered and said come on, “No problem, my daughter will sit on my lap. She is our child.” With this adjustment, we reached PVR Vinayak multiplex, we were going to watch ‘Chhichhore’ movie. 

“Movie was wonderful.” said Sandhya's father in law. While discussing the movie Sandhya told me that we were going to have dinner. It was my sister in law’s plan to have dinner after the movie. I said, “It is 9 p.m. it is too late to cook food at home.” She said. “We are going to eat in a good restaurant. You would diffidently like the food Manish.” 

After dinner, we reached home, still discussing the movie and other great movies of Sushant Singh Rajput. We were also enjoying mangoes while having a conversation. It was a memorable day for me to see such a Cooperative family and every person was so consumed in each other. Our discussion for the movie slowly shifted towards ghost stories. I felt that no one was tired and no one was going to sleep, that was very fascinating to see. 

I told my sister that I had to leave while taking breakfast. Her father in law insisted to stay but I gently refused. Sandhya got very emotional; I was also very emotional at that time. Sachin gifted me with a book ‘Autobiography of a yogi.’ Sandhya’s mother-in-law said to keep coming and invited me on Sachin’s birthday. She also said that we spent such a quality time because of you. 

Sachin left me to the bus stand as he was going to his school for teaching. I took a bus; to return to my home town, Raebareli. While getting comfortable on the bus I was thinking upside - down, sometime we become cynical by the negative news of woman’s exploitation after watching T.V. or reading newspapers but the reality could also be much more wonderful than we could not even think of.