Rakshabandhan

I was in school in Grade 7. It was the day before Rakshabandhan. During our craft class the teacher had asked us to prepare a Rakhi. As per our teacher's instructions we were preparing Rakhi. All of us were delighted because of this craft activity for the festival. I was really happy because I would be able to tie the Rakhi that I had prepared myself from the scratch. While preparing the craft all I was thinking about how it would be a special rakhi. I was thinking to myself that it would be priceless because I have made it with my own hands. But my friend Ashwini had different plans.

"What are you going to do tomorrow? Are you going somewhere or you will stay at home?" Ashwini asked me.

I thought it was a casual question. I responded, "we are meeting at my grandmother's home. We do this on each and every festival. What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"That is nice. At least you will get a chance to tie Rakhi to your cousins. Otherwised it must be a really lonely day for you right?" She had completely dodged my question with another question.

I was clueless. Why would I be lonely when I have my entire family with me? I could not understand why she said that to me. I was too young and innocent to catch the sarcasm in her voice. But I decided to carry on the conversation regardlessly.

"Why would I be lonely? My mom and sister would be there with me," I asked her.

"Good for you if you think that way. It must be really sad and disappointing to not have a brother to tie a rakhi on the day of Rakshabandhan," I noticed a smirk on Ashwini's face. Now I had realised where this conversation was going. Just like many of my aunts and grandaunts, Ashwini wanted to taunt me about not having a brother. I was fuming with anger. I decided to face her and give her the answers which would forever shut her taunting.

"Rakshabandhan is a festival to celebrate the bond between brother and sister I completely agree. Brother does protect his sister. But what about the sister? Does she have no responsibilities towards her brother? You have a brother Ashwini. Would you not do anything to protect your brother?" I firmly asked Ashwini.

" Of course I will protect my brother. I would want to see him happy," Ashwini got defensive.

" This is exactly what me and my sister are going to do. We are protective towards each other and would go beyond our boundaries to shield each other. We understand that the responsibilities not only lie with brothers and they also lie with sisters. We do not need a brother to tell us about our responsibilities. It does not matter that we do not have a brother. As long as we are together we will love and protect each other. About our cousins we do not tie Rakhi only to brothers but also to sisters. After all the love is all that matters whether it is a sister or a brother" I was looking straight at her and speaking in a calm voice. I was speaking with the confidence that had come from the love that I have received from my family. I knew very well how to shut down the taunts that come towards me for not having a brother. More importantly it was the family for me and not just one relation.

I left that conversation and let Ashwini think about it. At that moment I felt that I had given justice to the love and care that I have received from my entire family.