Sisterhood

Sisterhood

6 mins
423


Sarita snoozed the alarm clock for the third time. She was buried in a sea of thoughts.


“Maybe, I should start afresh tomorrow? Or, perhaps, wait until I get to India?” Sarita felt warm between the blanket and the thick quilt. She was in no mood for a run.


Sarita had taken to Syracuse like house on fire. Her beloved younger sister, Swati studied in the city at a premier Institute. Sarita took a long vacation to be with her darling sister. The sisters walked, explored the passageways of the University; Swati narrated interesting anecdotes and amazing stories about her experience while studying there. A quaint little city, a few hours by drive from the bustling New York City, Syracuse had its own magic.


When Sarita walked in the University area and in the student residence neighborhood, she loved the vibes. She connected to the academic environment and quiet surroundings. There was something yet to be discovered about the city however much she procured the knowledge and information.


All the conversations with her little sister, Swati invariably ended in the Recess coffee shop, a few meters from their home. On one such occasion, Sarita opened up about wanting to shed some weight, feel better and find the missing balance. She looked no further than Swati who was an inspiration in all ways, especially so in this case: Swati motivated herself and everybody around to stay healthy and enjoy overall well-being. Swati made a training plan for her sister so meticulously and lovingly.


Sarita shuddered at the thought of Syracuse winters. Ahh! It was indeed so warm between the blanket and the thick quilt; Sarita thought so and closed her eyes.... Winters were extreme- Swati often mentioned about them, showing away pictures to her family. Sarita, however, had arrived at the beginning of summers. She did not have to complain. Yet, the urge and willingness to get up to run was feeble. She preferred sleep over training for the “dream marathon run.”


 Training days

Sarita woke up after a 30-minute confusion and internal debate.


The first week included 5 days of 2.5 km of running every day. Sarita did it comfortably. It was an overture to something more elaborate and deep in store. Two weeks into the plan, she found it challenging to transition to 3 kilometers run, followed by 2 kilometers walk, and then 2 more kilometers of slow running.


She yearned to skip at least a day’s activity. Her sister’s words reverberated in Sarita’s mind: “On some days, you may want to continue to read a book, laze around with family on the beach, do some critical office work, and so on so forth. It ain’t wrong! Nonetheless, make no lame excuses, sissy. Never trade anything else with investing time for health. After all, when you are healthy, you do everything else effortlessly.”


Sarita realized that preparing for a long and intense run such as the Marathon needed consistency and a lot of discipline. She fought her procrastination as hard as she could.  


Bumper Offer

Sarita went about her training plan, with each passing day taking her one step away from the comfort zone and one step closer to reaching her goal. Just when she thought, she had accustomed herself to a proper pattern; Swati came up with a surprise offer. 


“Now that you are halfway through the plan, here is the deal. Would you like a 21-KM walkathon or a weekend hiking trip? That is it for the next week. All the other days are rest days. “Swati announced.


Much to Swati’s surprise, Sarita preferred both. Swati couldn’t be happier. Swati’s countenance hid her excitement though. She wanted to see her sister do the marathon and then scream at the top of her voice.


Sarita thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing walkathon. She made many friends. It seems she had passed on some gyaan that her sister had given her to a few new-found friends.


“Never end up eating just about anything and then do the same exercise every day and expect the results to be alarming. Be mindful of what you eat, what you do not eat, how much you eat. “


Sarita later confessed with her sister that she had even forgotten about the distance covered and calories burnt to post the walkathon. Both of them laughed reminiscing the first day after the run when Sarita had frowned at the meager 160 calories burnt. 


Sometimes, we are in a constant hurry to get things done. If only we learn to focus on the goal, enjoy the journey and nurture it with care, results are bound to be exceedingly great.” Patience and a lot of patience make all the difference.  


The hiking trip was an exhilarating experience for Sarita. She was amongst strangers. She hiked during the day as well as overnight. She came back with lovely souvenirs – her cuts, cold, and bruises. She proudly showed them off to her family and friends. Sarita obliterated all the past mistakes, doubts, lack of belief.


Post the big event

After 3 months, Sarita was back in India; by then she had preregistered for the marathon run. She missed the physical presence of her loving sister, Swati. She would have loved to see Swati wave at her at the starting mark. It would make a world of difference. She imagined her sister beside her, anyway.


Running swiftly for some time, sauntering when she was tired, carefully managing and balancing the speed throughout the long run, coaxing herself to never give up, enjoying the few hours of being out and open with nature, Sarita completed the run successfully. Her contentment and a sense of joy knew no bounds. Her sister waited for the moment and came on Skype immediately to see the profusely sweating face of her loving Sarita Di. Swati was super proud of her sister.


Sarita sent her infinite kisses to Swati for all the love and mentorship. Sarita always knew that Swati was the best gift her parents had given. Their bond had only gotten stronger with another episode of embracing and empowering each other.


Way back home

Sarita looked at the medal, the certificate of completion, and her goodies bag. She smiled. She would cherish her first marathon run forever. It had given her valuable life lessons. 


Sarita, as promised and emphasized fairly often by her sister, Swati, had transformed as a person. She had, in the long process, transitioned rather gracefully, from “Oh, can I lose my stubborn weight and fit into my old clothes” mode to “I am happy and comfortable in my own skin. I want to lose my weight, yes, but most importantly, I want to be and feel healthy, happy, and much stronger and achieve higher targets. No short cuts. No crash courses.”


The metamorphosis had influenced Sarita’s other walks of life too. She was so much more accepting, optimistic, brave and strong. She did not fear endurance or challenges. Her sister, Swati and her first-ever marathon, did to Sarita what Sarita never could have imagined. It was a repository of priceless memories. 


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