A TROPHY OF VICTORY

Shiva was only sixteen when he lost his parents in an accident leaving behind the responsibility of his younger sister Shibani, who was only ten years old at that time, and a flourishing business. He had witnessed real and fake relatives since his childhood and knew who was trusted and who to avoid. After the last rituals of his parents, some of the relatives wished to stay to take care of both the children and the family business, but he firmly refused the favor. His decision miffed the masked caretakers and only his maternal grandma stayed with them. 

He loved his sister dearly as she was very pretty and very intelligent. After the bereavement of her parents, she was emotionally dependent on her brother. He acted as her father and for her all-around development, he sent her to the most reputed school having a hostel facility in another city. Every year she used to visit home during holidays and found her brother totally devoted to her. 

Shiva became mature instantly after the demise of his parents and started handling the business. With sincerity and dedication, he raised fortunes and became an ideal for many young entrepreneurs. When he turned thirty-six and his sister was thirty, the grandmother also left for her heavenly abode. The brother-sister duo was each other’s strength as well as weakness. 

Shibani persuaded Shiva to marry her best friend Snehlata as she was the most suitable bride for him. He fulfilled his sister’s wish. The three of them very happily entered their new phase of life. Slowly and steadily, Shibani felt an emotional distance from his brother as he was getting drawn toward his wife more and more.

Shibani was mature enough to understand the bonding between husband and wife but she started missing her brother tremendously. The three of them worked in the company together. Earlier, Shiva used to call his sister two or three times or visit her cabin at least twice a day, but now he loved to stay with his wife and only to lunch together Shibani was with him. Shibani tried to keep herself busy but losing the brother was a heavy price she was paying. 

Snehlata was completely unaware of the envious Shibani who was her friend as well as sister-in-

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law. For her, there was no change in the relationship between the siblings as they shared a strong bond, always available for each other. She was from head to toe in love with Shiva and enjoying her marriage. She never realized that her possessiveness toward Shiva was creating trouble for Shibani.

Whenever Shibani and Snehlata had a friendly chat, Shibani's center of the topic was always Shiva – how he amazed his wife with a surprise dinner, how he showered his love on his wife on her birthday, etc., etc. Shibani had nothing to share as her brother seldom spent quality time with her alone after his marriage. Both the ladies loved the same man, the only one they knew closely. Shibani preferred to remain silent and was mentally prepared to bear the pain of separation. To test the brother’s love for his sister, Shibani planned a month-long holiday abroad, hoping that in her absence Shiva would miss her.

After a month, Shibani returned home and was extremely happy to know that she was soon to become an aunt; but at the same moment, she understood that in her brother’s life she was third on his priority list. Shiva was blessed with a baby girl and was extremely thankful to God for the gift. A grand party was thrown in honor of the little angel. On the occasion, he delivered a very heart-touching speech.

He said he was only sixteen when little Shibani was handed over to him. His entire days and nights were unquestionably very tiresome. He was sometimes very depressive, but the presence of Shibani always cheered him up. He wanted to buy luxuries of the entire universe for his sister so that she would never miss their parents. He sent her to a hostel just to keep her away from those harsh blows of Time when he had his low days, unhappy moments, and sad loneliness. She in return chose for him the best life partner who was not only loyal but also in a true sense his better half. He further asserted that the daughter was fortunate to have Snehlata as a mother and Shibani as an aunt. That was the precious moment as Shibani realized that none could separate her from Shiva as she was not only his sister but a 'victory trophy' over adversity that he, with pride, displayed to the parents smiling at them from heaven.