Being Bua

When I was little, I used to play with my older cousin. It was very nice but sometimes, he used to turn mean and pull cruel pranks. I resented him for that but could never retaliate. One such time, he put me inside the Divan bed, closed the lid, covered with a mattress, and went away. I being younger, skinny and weak could not manage to open. I was suffocating and luckily my grandmother came by and noticed the movement. She rescued me and my cousin got a scolding and a slap. No apologies, no accusations and next day he invited me to play like nothing even happened.

Soon, we stopped playing as the age gap meant he matured early. However, I kept the grudge, wishing to get even.

Then I was in college and he got married. My exams collided with the wedding date and I was kind of happy to not attend. Our jobs were in different cities, so we barely met and even then nothing further than small talk. His wife was nice but I always kept my distance. The grudge was growing, although I never discussed it with anyone. Within a year, their baby girl came along. Suddenly, I felt like I had gotten a chance to get back. I planned to pull a prank where I would put his baby girl in danger in front of him so that he would know what he did all those years back was so wrong.

I was back to home after leaving my first job and preparing for others. Baby girl was now three years old and I saw her every now and then. I was again plotting to pull some scene.

One day, I was passing through the streets and the girl came running out of nowhere and grabbed me. I steadied myself and picked her up. She was smiling so beautifully with eyes full of love and resting head on my shoulder. I looked at her and felt such a shame. How could I even think that? I kissed her and all the pent up emotions washed away. I asked her if she would come with me to my home. I had chocolates, stories, and dolls. She nodded like an angel and we started for my home. Turning the corner of the street, my cousin was pacing hurriedly. With relief, he exclaimed-“I was worried sick about where she was! Did I ever tell you how much she reminds me of you”? I could only smile, feeling so light that I could fly. After all, forgiveness has set me free.