Human Nature

The two sisters were considered the apostle of sisterhood with their tale of suffering and survival. But the course of circumstances, proved them to be bitter rivals of each other.

Latika the elder one was completely naïve whereas the younger one Renu was very notorious. Yet, the two complemented each other like the two sides of a coin. Their parents understood the behaviour of their children. They assigned work to them on the basis of the fact that the child would complete them. Latika always accompanied her mother to every place and assisted her in completing the daily chores. Renu was completely oblivious of this sense of responsibility and liked playing out with her friends. Latika always protected and pampered her younger sister and because of this she became Renu’s ‘Choti Mummy’.

The two sisters shared completely polar opposite personalities—traits which were to be redefined in their adolescence. Latika studied well but was hesitant and reserved by nature. She witnessed how her parents toiled everyday to make both ends meet. She never expressed her desires to her parents thinking that her parents might just get overburdened with the tasks in hand. Latika was extremely emotional by nature and vicariously understood the misery of her parents as well as that of others. She would often help her friends in need in school. Renu, on the other hand, was a practical, short-tempered but a sharp girl. 

Their lives took a turn when their father met with an accident and died. The family was heart-broken. The mother was not educated much to support the family. She started doing odd jobs such as stitching clothes and working part-time at a daycare for toddlers. The two sisters for an interim period after the demise of their father had to leave their school because there was no money to give their school fees. Latika, decided to drop out of the school and assist her mother by looking after the house while her mother was out earning for livelihood. It is said, ‘we make our own destiny’, but unfortunately, circumstances decide our destiny. Latika, was so traumatized by the demise of her father that she had recoiled in her dark den of wailing and low self-esteem. At this moment, Renu, consoled her and made her comfortable in her arms. Misery only strengthened the unity of the two sisters. However, only time to come could vouch for the growing indifference between the two sisters. 

The mother wanted that both her daughters should complete their schooling and enroll for further education. This sudden bombardment of death, penury and sobriety had taught her a valuable lesson of her life. A girl, irrespective of her social background can stand strong on her feet in his world only on the basis of her education and nothing else. So, Latika and Renu got re-admission in their school. The school authorities, after much perusal of the mother, decided to reduce some amount of their tuition fees. Man acts noble and becomes one when situations largely deem him to be so!

Life can be hard but not cruel. The journey of the three ladies had begun to sail somewhat smoothly now. The three comforted each other and stood by each other. The passage of time made them stronger day-by-day. 

The demise of the father had left a lurking fear in the mind of Latika as if the support system of the family had become disintegrated. The mother indeed fought the entire day with the outside world but at the end of the day at home she would weep before sleep and pray to god. 

Renu was fortunate enough to sail through this period of depression in her life. Gradually, she worked hard in school and concentrated on her studies. With the passage of time, Latika started developing a grudge towards her younger sister, Renu. Latika being reticent by nature hardly expressed her feelings. Besides, the mother was too occupied in earning a livelihood that she could not discern the rise of these negative feelings in the elder daughter. However, Renu completely oblivious of these feelings continued to hold sisterly feelings towards Latika. 

Gradually, the two sisters completed their schooling and entered college to pursue higher studies. Even though the mother held the two sisters as equal, the society attempted to distinguish between the two of them. At time, the mother would get to hear from the neigbours that Renu is indeed well-groomed and will find a suitable match for herself. The mother would just ignore such remarks but once when Latika overheard this remark, it got etched in her mind. Latika now felt envious of Renu. Unfortunately, Latika never revealed the changing nature of her feelings towards her younger sister either to her mother or Renu. The vagaries of human nature are such that they change with the passage of time. This was getting evident in the case of Latika and Renu. 

Renu now started preparing for competitive exams for government jobs and Latika would look after the house and her mother. After trying for one or two years, Renu cleared the exam for inspection officer and got a posting out of town. The mother was reluctant but for Renu’s bright future, she let her go. Latika was now left along at home with her mother. She could not let the thought overcome her feelings that Renu would now enjoy complete freedom while she would be tied to household chores. It seemed that almighty had parted their ways. Latika grew extremely jealous of her sister. Renu wrote several letters but they went unanswered. With the passage of time, Renu became indifferent towards Latika and two parted ways in their lifetime.

The intricacies of human nature are such that at the time we fail to understand even our beloved ones. We feel that they are not considerate towards us and they feel that we are being harsh and cruel on them. This way, Latika and Renu who could not live without each other at one point in time, had now developed animosity and indifference towards each other. Sisterly bond had now faded away and paved the way for grudges.