Saturday, September 20, 2008

Happily Ever After...


September 11, 2001, people cowered in fright as terror dawned on the US of A.

September 11, 2008, people beamed with pleasure as another institution was firmly established.

My sister, the only one, got married.

Standing an arm’s distance away, resplendent in a white sari, awash in the yellow glow of halogen lamps, was the being which I had protected all my life, with all my will. She had transformed from ‘our little one’ to a confident young woman. It did not feel like 23 years had passed since I first held our family’s ‘little bundle of joy’ close to my chest, next to my mother’s cot, in the hospital room.

When happy memories rush at you from all sides, it feels delicious to submit to its joy. Growing up was certainly more fun with her around. She taught me to be a big brother, in her own subtle way.

There were times when I took her hands in mine, while crossing busy roads, and then there were times when I covered for her mistakes, earning sound thrashings in return. There were times when we used to make hand-drawn birthday cards (competing to outdo the other) and other times, as kids, when we used to count the number of cows during long journeys.

She was the one who always called my bluff and found that I cried while reading Reader’s Digest articles. She was the one, who in the darkness of countless movie theatres, found that it was not only my mother who had streams of wet tears while watching sentimental scenes. She was the one who knew all about my crushes, since class nine. She was my fashion guru and she was my rock. Correction, she IS my rock!

Not having you around is going to be hard. But knowing that you got the best mate there was, makes it a bit easier.

I now close a little box, inlaid with velvet, deep in my heart, about happy memories of you, from 23 years, till now. Once in a while, I will open it, living again the joys of our yesteryears. On September 11th, I opened another fresh little box in my mind, where shall reside the happy memories of your second phase in life.

NOTE: I dedicate this piece to every brothers this world saw, who enjoyed seeing their little sisters grow up from being shy youngsters to charming princesses.

4 comments:

The Happy Human Jellyfish said...

*sniff*

That was so touching, man!!

:'(

So elder brotherly. I always wish I had one. And this one makes me wish so. Even more.

Anukriti Khare said...

This is one emotional post
and very well written too

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully written...very touching.I got married recently..and I'll never forget my brother's eyes tearing up when he saw me ready ..on my wedding day! You elder brothers are so wonderful!

silly billy:) said...

oh my god..i don believe it but i have tears in my eyes..i have an elder brother who has made me feel so potected and loved all my life..right now 20 someting-cant even imagine living without him and already feel scared of the day wen i l have to..:(and i know that it will be equally hard for him..

elder brother is the best thing that can happen to a girl..
lovely blog!