Betrayed by blood

Betrayal.. One word, thousand tears, and many emotions. Whatever happens will always hurt, especially when we are beytayed by blood.

I should first set the background in a generalized manner and later get into specifics. I have often seen with Indian parents that they tend to give more attention to the new relatives. Those new relatives are mainly "in laws". Once someone is announced as an "in law", the whole focus would shift towards them. In laws are revered in Indian families. They are placed at tge very pinnacle of every event. Indian parents go above and beyond to make each and every moment soecial for the in laws. In this process, the fail to understand how their own (such as siblings, children) suffer. This is my story and my suffering.

My cousin and my elder sister are of same age. Their marriage got fixed around the same time. My cousin got married first and few months later my sister was supposed to get married. This painful incident took place at my cousin's wedding.

My aunt had invited my sister's future in laws to my cousin's wedding reception. When they arrived, my parents immediately left to receive them. That did not bother me since I was with my cousins. The in laws came and sat. Right from the beginning they insisted that they have to leave early because they had other wedding to attend.

While I was with my cousins, my mother called me. She told me that my sister's in laws wanted to leave early. They want to meet the bride and groom, so I should stand in queue to secure a place for them. My mother also told me that both in laws are old and hence I should help them out. As an obedient daughter, I did exactly what my mother told me. I stood in the queue without thinking that why I was asked to do this task when my sister was right there. Anyway, 20 year old me did not mind standing in the queue for someone else's behalf. After 20-30 minutes, I had reached near the stage, so I called my mother. My parents came along with my sister's in laws. My mother asked me to leave and go back to my cousins. I left and went back to spend time with my cousins in the banquet hall. I was not aware what was happening behind my back which was orchestrated by my own parents.

Some time later, I was having dinner with my cousins. My parents were to dine with the bride and groom. My parents came to ask me something. That is when I asked them when are we going to take a family picture with the newly wed couple. What my parents said completely shattered me. They said they have already taken the family picture (yes, they did mention "family picture"). I asked when did that happen. They said they had taken the family picture with my sister's in laws. That picture included the newly wed couple, my parents, my sister, her fiancée, and my sisters in laws. It was the meet and picture for which I stood in the queue for half hour. I strained my legs for standing on their behalf so that I could be excluded. When my parents said the family photo was done, those words broke me. I had a lump in my throat. I was having dinner but after those words my appetite died. I wanted to cry but I also did not want to create a scene. I said nothing to my parents but this betrayal put a dagger to my heart. My inner voice told me, "you are a low life and cheap labor. You consider youself to be worthy of a family photo?" I felt that I was insignificant.

This incident occurred over 15 years ago. It still haunts me like it happened yesterday. Right now when I am writing, my hands are still trembling remembering that how I was not a part of the family photo. I still want to cry because my parents felt the family photo without me in it was still a "family photo". I still have tears in my eyes recalling the feeling I had at the dinner table. Worse, my parents still don't know what they did to me that day.

Dear reader, if you are a parent, ensure that your kid does not suffer the same fate as me.