Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A String For Him

Once there was a small boy, who thought insects were fun. Specially those large cockroaches which could fly.He wanted to share his enthusiasm with the little girl so he held a bug with it's feelers and brought it to her. Of course he could not understand why the little girl screamed and almost fainted. Strange!

Then there was that time with the baby mice. How incredible those creatures were! Specially when they were just born and could not even see. He could observe them for hours. But would she understand? The moment she saw the tiny wriggly things she yelled so loudly that the neighbours came to check. Was the girl crazy or what?And what about the day she was eating so slowly that he lost his patience? When mom came to check, she saw both plates empty and the little girl crying. Why for heaven's sake? He only ate her share so she would not be late for school. He was trying to help. But did she understand? Nah...girls are the strangest things.

Once the little boy grew up a bit and the girl was no longer so small, he thought they could be buddies. So he thought he would practice his newly acquired Kung-fu skills on her. Haii-ya...one straight kick up the girl's chest and she simply collapsed on the floor. How uninspiring! Did mom understand that she was the one at fault? She did not try to duck or defend herself with an answering kick. He was just trying to emulate the cool moves shown on 36 chambers of Shaolin. But did she appreciate it? You bet not. Such a sissy. Still, she was not really that bad,in fact she was quite okay for a girl. Moreover all her friends were a little crazy about him. When he played cricket outside,all her friends would say, ''Oh! that is your brother? Will you introduce me to him?" He felt 10 feet tall. But did she ever introduce? Not ever. She said," What? You want to know my brother? But why? He hates taking a bath and stinks when he sweats!" Sisters are such a pain.

As he grew up a bit more, he stopped being a pest and turned more into a guide. He was the one she asked the questions to. 'What is the meaning of homosexual?' Who is an illegitimate child?' He blushed purple while answering but never shied away from telling the truth. After all he was the older brother and he took his responsibilities very seriously. So he answered the occassional awkward questions, escorted her to movies, took her to her friends houses at night and taught her chemistry when she appeared for the board exams. Of course it was another matter that he suffered from an anxiety attack that rendered him completely useless on her exam day. But still...

Over the years, the brother and the sister sparred over the TV remote and books. Friends and family. The last aloo paratha and the precious imported chocolates. They fought and made up. They laughed and they joked. When it was time for him to leave home,she cried.When it was time for her to leave, he gave his blessings.

They witnessed each other's mariages, birth of their children, ups and downs, pains and pleasures. As time passed, their lives changed. They now lived in different cities, with different people. Few things in life remain the same.

But each year,on a special day, she sends a special string for him. He responds by sending his love. The string binds them together and reminds them of a childhood spent together. A childhood that had fun, laughter and happiness. A childhood that was carefree and joyous. And most important, a childhood that was full of love for each other.

Some things in life, still remain the same.

This post goes out to all the brothers. You made our lives miserable but fun. Growing up without you would not be the same.

This is also for Dada, my elder brother. Happy Rakhi.

53 comments:

Swatantra said...

Happy Rakhi!!

Very nice post, i love the way you write your feelings!!!

AnjuGandhi said...

U know Aparna I was thinking of writing something on rakhi too. relation between brothers and sisters is strange
but what hurts me the most is the same siblings who were very close to each other once upon a time( read as before marriage of brother) suddenly becomes two strangers. suddenly the love is actually lost between them and rakhi festival just becomes a formality

Kavi said...

Fantastic ! The love and the wonder years are so enmeshed in each other ! Arent they !!

Lovely post. And have a wonderful Rakhi !

:)

Nona said...

Very nice post. :) I was happy after reading this.

NR said...

That was lovely!!! I liked the way u wrote it...

eye-in-sty-in said...

I cd see so much of myself in ur bro ... The post was a treat to read. thanks!

eye-in-sty-in said...

PS: I'm having trouble with getting followup comments in my inbox

P said...

aah! I was the oldest in my family and so i was the bully! but my cousins were much much younger to actually bully them...so I just baby sat them! Then came the time when I was asked about the "birds and the bees" story. I was 15 and they were 6. I couldn't believe they wanted to know! SO I pretended not to know either and we together went to our parents with "our" question! Tactfully I managed to disappear when my little sis had finished her question!! :P

Sakshi said...

You have left me all nostalgic. To be honest all my cousin brothers ( a huge 26) tried their best to make my life miserable but without them I wouldn't have been what I am now. I owe them big time for making me the fiery one..

Lovely post Aparna and Happy Rakhi to you. God bless all the sisters and brothers :)

SJ said...

As always, just brilliant Aparna! I didn't have any bro but me n my sis were just like what u described- except we weren't scared of bugs! we caught grasshoppers removed its jumping legs and kept them as pets- totally nuts !!! I miss all that!

G S Pillai said...

applause! great writing. boys share a special bond too, like one i had with my elder brother, but I realize the one between brother and sister has far more complexities involved. And u put it down so beautifully.

Gayathri said...

That was really touching..at my home,it's me who's the elder one..and i'm at the edge of leaving my home for job,and was just reminiscing my past fights and joy with my kiddo bro..omg..will those times ever come again :(

Supriya Dutta said...

This "string of words" is even more sweet.... beautifully described.

BK Chowla, said...

More perhaps will be written on Rakhi..the festival.But you have said it all.
Aparna,it is fact that due to various customs and social obligations,this festival is still surviving.Families are getting smaller and distances are increasing besides work culture taking a completely different route.It is few families who actually mean when they celebrate Rakhi

Unknown said...

Happy Rakhi! and I totally relate to every sentence that u've written. great post!!

cheers!

Meira said...

swell :)

pradipwritenow said...

You have put a string to all the brothers who read your interesting blog and I am one of them. You wrote an invaluable piece on this day of Raakhi.

sujata sengupta said...

Loved the post.I could see him and you throughout my reading... not taking names saw how you were teased in the previous post. Great reading you are really lucky to have a bro like you do..confession time..I have always envied you about it!!

Shankar.Nash said...

nice post as always with lots of flashback... its always nice to have a brother who is upto the both extremes of fighting like hell and pamper like a kid.... ur brother would feel great to read this one...


hmmmmm.. if only i had a sister... :(

Gymnast said...

That was beautiful Aparna. Brothers are absolutely the best , younger or elder.
You put in a beauiful way!

Anonymous said...

I am not commenting.....I am totally J. I have longed for a life like that.But I am living it through my kids now. So I guess its ok. :-)

ZB said...

very touchy post. Wish you raksha bandan, Sad i never had a sister, we two brothers were enough of trouble. my parents thought, enough is enough. Nice post. :)

Anonymous said...

Awkward question, I know, but... how did he respond to the "homosexual" question? :P

Aparna said...

Hi Swatantra, Happy Rakhi to you too.Thank you so much.

Hi Anju, I know what you mean, have seen that happen many times. I feel sisters bond better and remain close throughout life. But in my case, thank god the bond still exists. It helps that I am quite close to my Sis-n law as well.

Hi Kavi, thanks. I wish the term 'wonder years' had occurred to me. Would have used that for the header.

Hi Nona, thanks.

Hi Nazish, thank you. Rakhi is such a wonderful festival, had to write this one.

Hi EISI,So you trouble your sis too? Does she introduce you to her friends?

Hi P, haha, I can imagine your predicament. Thank god I was the younger one.

Hi Sakshi, 26?? Thats mind boggling! I can imagine the ruckus! Were you the only girl?

Hi SJ, PETA or its insect equivalent will come and get you. I hate insects and lizards and rats and my brother would always tease me about it.

Hi Bluebird, thanks. Growing up with a sibling is a lot of fun. My girls don't miss having a bro and they bond beautifully.

Hi, Gayatri, some things change, others still remain the same. Thats the beauty of life.

Hi Priya, thank you. I am glad you liked the post.

Hello Mr Chawla, Rakhi perhaps has changed over the years. Siblings hardly live in the same city. Relationships have also gone through a sea change over the years, but this is such a beautiful festival. I wish luck to all the brothers and sisters.

Hi Purnima, thanks a lot. A happy rakhi to you too.

Hi Meira, thanks.

Hello Pradeepda, thank you. I am honoured.

Hi Sujata, (see! how I avoided calling you by your actual name)you should have told me this earlier. I would have gladly changed places.He troubled me a lot.Moreover you had a better teacher of science.

Hi Shankar, you don't have a sister? Aww that's sad! So who do you trouble?

Hi Gymnast, brothers are great aren't they?

Hi Jyothi, I am not replying either. I am also J. My girls do not have a brother :(

Hi ZB, I can imagine the trouble you 2 caused. Having one son was enough for my parents.

Hi Unsung, he said," men who get sexually attracted to other men." Did he do well?

Neha said...

vry well written aparna...i m sure all the brothers and sisters will be able to relate themselves with this post...:)

Mihir said...

touched my heart! made me recall almost all the moments with my sister in a flash. m glad even after her marriage we still the same though continents apart!

really "rakhi" redefined.!

Shankar.Nash said...

haha.... i always had an elder bro to trouble.. rather, i had been for my elder bro to trouble me... :(

Margaret said...

Happy Rakhi to all the brothers everywhere!

Another wonderfully written, interesting post Aparna. Brothers are the same all over. I'm lucky enough to have four of them! But, sadly we don't have such a lovely festival as Rakhi in our part of the world.
Maybe I should start it up! :D

Apanatva said...

very nice post.very very sentimental
and full of feelings.I enjoy visiting your blog.Great writing.

Sakshi said...

Yeah unfortunately at that time as a kid I was the only girl in that group of bullies. But now am reaping the benefits being the only sister who gets spoilt rotten. The only problem is that all of them confide in me and I mix up their problems :(

Miss M said...

Lovely! :)

Ezhilan said...

You described wonderfully of the relationship between the brothers and sisters.

Kadri Luik said...

Wonderful! =)
I have 8 sisters and no brother but I do wish I had one, perhaps I could adopt one?

R. Ramesh said...

thanks friend...

Aparna said...

@ Neha, thanks.

@ Mihir, thank you. Hope you and your sister always stay close emotionally.

@ Shankar :) At least you had someone!

@ Margaret, start your own festival! Brothers are supposed to give the sisters presents on rakhi! I can't imagine 4 brothers. I had trouble with 1.

@ Apnatva, thanks.

@ Sakshi, what can I say! You have my sympathies.

@ Miss M, thanks.

@ Mojo Arasu, thank you.

@ Kadri, 8 sisters? That must have been something! You can always adopt mine. He is house broken.

@ Ramesh, thank you.

NG said...

ohhh my Goddd...this is one of the sweetest posts ever...u rocked this one ....greatt job

के सी said...

ohhhh aa its a superb post, a professional writing. i specially liked that you talk simple but impressive. "They witnessed each other's mariages, birth of their children, ups and downs, pains and pleasures. As time passed, their lives changed. They now lived in different cities, with different people. Few things in life remain the same.

Kavita Saharia said...

I am amazed by your writing skills...you pen down your feelings so beautifully...i am amazed,amazed and amazed.

Urmi said...

Happy Rakshabandhan.Very beautiful and touching post.I liked it very much.Keep writing.

Rajesh said...

Beautifully written. This is one relation I miss in my life. Growing alone, I know how much is the pain to not to have a sis. Your post reminds me of what I have missed.

Keep writing such interesting posts.

toshali said...

I have no idea what my bro will do when he grows!!

nituscorner said...

touching post.leaves you with a good feeling.

ekta khetan said...

This post goes out to all the brothers. You made our lives miserable but fun. Growing up without you would not be the same.

I heartily agrees and loved this post!

ram said...

great post...

The Panorama said...

What a beautiful post. I had tears in my eyes...my brother lives far away too.

Your blog is really good so am adding you to my list:)

Sucharita Sarkar said...

lovely post! and wishing you many many more such string-celebrations.

with me being the older sibling and my brother the younger one, our roles were reversed but the fighting-bonding bit was/is the same.

Manish Raj said...

Loved this post. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.

Onkar said...

Extremely well-written, with a lot of feeling.

Aparna said...

@ Neha Gandhi, thank you.

@ Kishore Choudhary, thanks.

@ Kavita, as everything I wrote I had experienced, the words just flowed. Not much effort required.

@ Babli thank you.

@ Rajesh sorry to hear you do not have a sister. They can be your die hard fans.

@ Toshali, I think your brother will be a bigger trouble than mine. So please practice your karate chops.

@ Nitus corner thank you.

@ Numerounity, glad to know you agree. Thank you.

@ Ram thank you very much.

@ The Panorama, I miss my brother too. Though both of us live in India, we stay in different cities and we meet only once a year.

@ Suchrita, thanks and wishing you the same.

@ Manish thank you.

@ Onkar thank you.

SG said...

lovely post :)

ani_aset said...

lovely post aparna..could relate to most of the events..things are so similar between each brother and sister out here :)

Parita said...

Hey Aparna, this is a fantastic post dear, i remembered all my old days when my bro used to make my life hell..this is the first time i have missed rakhi :(

Anonymous said...

*Aparna
Haha! If he said that, he did extremely well, but I think you're covering for him :P