Relationship matters

This is a story that beautifully depicts the bond between a brother and a sister. The sensitivity and specificity of this bond are depicted so well that we all will understand this special bond that is common but with an underlying thread that connects two souls who share the same womb. They are connected by blood and genes. Of course, this relationship is beyond all these physical aspects it is nothing less than divinity.                         

Sharmaji and his wife were super excited. Why not? They had a pleasant reason to smile and be happy. They were approached by a well do family of educated people who wanted an alliance with Sharmaji's family. They wanted their son Suraj to get married to Sharmaji's daughter Minal. She was beautiful, well-educated, and qualified in all aspects. So, Suraj's parents were in a hurry, and this meeting between both families was arranged. The day of the meeting between both the families was scheduled in the month of August which is considered a sacred month for all auspicious occasions.  

 Ting tong the doorbell rang on a lovely day in the evening time. Minal was getting dressed up for the occasion as per her mother's order. Her parents had firmly said that they would like to go ahead with this match as it was ideal in all aspects They did not want to let go of this match at any cost. Minal was apprehensive and tensed. She did not want to get married at this point. She wanted to move to a bigger city and pursue an education at a good University which would enhance her earning potential. She did not want to lead a life of dependency and subjugation. She had great plans for her future which seemed to be cut short by her parents who were in a hurry to get their daughter married off at the earliest. Nothing strange at all. This is the societal norm that says a girl should be married off as early as possible. Who was bothered about what the girl felt or wanted? What would the neighbors and relatives say if the marriage gets delayed? They would be answerable to many wagging tongues. Minal's mother was calling out to her. But, Minal's feet seemed to be stuck on the floor. She was reluctant to go to the drawing room where the guests were seated. The guests were none other than the prospective groom and his parents. Minal's heart was thumping loud. She desperately wanted to see her younger brother who was outside at work. He was like her friend, philosopher, and guide. Even though younger by about four years he was more mature and understanding about everything. He seemed to have solutions to all problems. Minal was missing him very badly         

 Her mother came inside her Room and found Minal dumbstruck. She goaded her to come along to the drawing room and meet the special guests. Without any other option walked along with her mother holding a tray with tea cups and refreshments for the guests. Her heart was thumping loud. She wanted to run away from the Scenarios. But, with no other option, she formally wished the guests and sat down. It appeared as if she was to attend an interview. Her eyes were looking at the door expecting her brother the savior to come to her. Rescue. There he was her younger brother Saurav who wished all the guests and asked for an apology for being late. He was stuck up in the traffic. He went inside Minal's room and found her sitting dumbstruck. He knew what must have been going on in her mind. Their bond was like that. He could understand her thoughts without any revelation from her. On seeing him Minal slowly conveyed to him that she was not yet ready for marriage. She even reminded him of her plans for life. Saurav was a part of her every dream and plan. He coaxed her to just meet the guests with a promise that he would see everything will be alright. With these words of affirmation, Minal once again got ready to meet the guests. After some time the guests were ready to leave with a plan that they would formalize everything and get back to them. It seemed as if they were ready for this alliance. Now Minal was in more trouble...         

After the guests left, she quietly went into her room. She sat in a corner and was feeling sad that all her dreams would come crashing down. On one hand, she wanted to abide by her parent's words about getting married and settling down which was the social norm, on the other hand, she felt her ambitions were being crushed by society and her parents and wanted to oppose the whole idea.              

After finishing dinner Minal came back to her room as she had some paperwork to be completed that was about the few applications she was filling for her higher studies. Just then Saurav came to her Room to have a small discussion about the whole day and the events that followed. It was a habit for both of them to do so. This is how they were connected to each other. With a promise to his sister that he would set all matters right, he wished her good night and went back to his Room. Now Minal was relaxed. She recalled how her younger brother was a big pillar of support for her always. She suddenly remembered that it was Raksha Bandhan in about two days' time. She noted down in her diary about she would celebrate the day. Flipping through her diary and its pages she recalled how she and her brother used to save their pocket money to buy gifts for each other for Diwali, Bhai dooj, Kite festival, and especially for Raksha Bandhan. She recalled as to how her younger brother had canceled his plan of buying a cricket bat that was a dream for him so that he could gift a fine neckpiece to his sister for Raksha Bandhan. This was one of the instances there were many such precious moments. She kept everything ready to make a handmade special Rakhi that she would tie on her brother's wrist. She dozed off to sleep.                         

The next day, she prepared a special Rakhi which looked so attractive and had a special touch of uniqueness to it. It appeared as if Minal had made it with a lot of love and affection for her younger brother. She wrapped it in a nice cover and kept it on her shelf and got busy with her daily routine. But, there was something that was still bothering her seriously. Yes, it was about the marriage alliance and her parent's plans for the same...       

The next day, the day of Raksha Bandhan. She tied the beautiful Hand made personalized Rakhi on her brother's wrist. She blessed him with flowers and beads. He on the other hand handed her a card and a letter tucked in between. He asked her to read the letter later when she was free. Minal was eager to read the letter. She knew it would be special. In the night when she was free, she opened the letter that her brother had written to her and given by hand. It brought tears to her eyes. Saurav had assured her that he would see that everything will be alright. If he had said so Minal knew it would be done. That was the confidence she had in her young brother. Rest assured she had a good night's sleep. Saurav had even written to talk to her father about her plans and aspirations in simple language but with a lot of confidence. He could convince Minal that this could work in her favor. Saurav had a pep talk with his father alone. He expressed what ambitions his sister had and how hard she has been working for the same. This was a pleasant surprise to his father. He even said that he had enquired about Suraj and came to know that he would be an ideal match for Minal. He said that it was told to him by many who knew Suraj that he was immature, arrogant, and intolerant. He had the least respect for women, let alone normal actions mostly he was high-tempered and obnoxious. Instead of getting Minal married to Suraj for the sake of the rules and norms of society, it would be better if she was allowed to pursue her goals. She herself would get a groom who would be tolerant amicable and understanding. 

This was a sort of an eye opener to Sharmaji who was covered with a layer of confirmations that Suraj was the right thing to happen to Minal. He quietly walked to her room and consoled a sulking Minal and assured her that she would not be forced to get married and he would provide her with all support to her so that she can fulfill her long-term dreams. This was the best Raksha Bandhan gift that Saurav gave to his sister Minal that made her life so good and successful.   

 Today, as she practices chartered accountancy in a big MNC and gains all respect and power she is thankful to her brother who did full justice to the sacred thread that she ties to his wrist every year. She thanks God who gave her such a lovely brother who is her pillar of strength emotionally and spiritually.