The Shadow follows

He would often ask Latika in a whispering tone,”How would I look in a bride’s outfit?”On hearing this, Latika would chide him and make him kneel down. As to her, fancying such bizarre idea, was not part of normalcy. Rohan would sulk for hours, unable to understand why her sister behaves in this fashion at the instance of such small matter. Rohan was two years younger to Latika. Sibling rivalry was quite obvious and made them quarrel often .Mother's mediation proved to be useless but father’s chide made a big difference. Many impending scores were settled between them, beyond boundaries of their house. Bruises and marks were hidden and fake smile was worn to give it the feel–everything was perfect.

Once latika reported to her mother about Rohan’s indulgence .But, Aruna dismissed it at the outset saying “Rohan is not yet grown up dear; he would change his preferences and ways once he is an adult. It is a silly matter, to be discussed and debated upon.”Latika nodded in complete agreement and left the place. Her ulterior motive and attempt to garner more affection remained fruitless. But she was not ready to accept defeat and looked for her chance to play nuisance and show Rohan in his true colours.

                Aruna, their mother, served as a teacher in an English Medium School and both Rohan and Latika studied there. He was in Fourth standard and she was in Sixth. They scored well in academics and fared well in other curricular activities too .Latika was good at badminton and tennis. Rohan was more creative of the two and often took part in cultural activities held at school. Dance dramas were his favourite .He was fascinated by the presentation, the artistry as well as the veracity of the characters. As a junior student he was often asked to enact role of a sepoy or a messenger. He did not have much to deliver, yet did justice to his assignments. He always eyed meaty roles and hoped to grab a meaty role someday. As days, years, months rolled by... he went to higher classes .There was less of sibling rivalry now, as pressure of studies grew manifold. Both Rohan and Latika were left with very less time for engagements other than studies. Only on holidays they had breathing space and had time to enjoy. Watching TV was part of enjoyment spree and each child was allowed ration time slot to watch one’s favourite program.

Latika would often watch cricket, tennis or athletics. During cricket matches, when Virat Kohli wielded bat or fielded, her beaming countenance spoke of her excitement and admiration for the suave and handsome player. She cherished a desire to meet him in person and get an autograph. Rohan’s choice was very different. He browsed TV channels for films, mythological episodes, epics and dance recitals steeped in tradition. He preferred to watch kathak dance of all classical dances where danseuses had scope for a lot of abhinayas. His frenzied eyes and gaping mouth would sum it up all-how wonderstruck he was, when he watched them perform.                                   

                 Each year, during summer holidays, the family visited their ancestral village. Latika’s grandparents lived there. They had grown very old  but had never asked for assistance. The neighbors  took care of them and the entire village was like an extended family, sharing each other’s sorrow and happiness. There was a marriage in the adjacent house this time. Both Latika and Rohan were excited to be part of the celebration as they would be savoring sweetmeats and a sumptuous dinner. Unlike in cities, here the entire village took active part and a sense of camaraderie was more than visible. The day before marriage, haldi and mehndi ceremonies were observed as per ritual. The bride was smeared with turmeric paste and her hands were decorated with mehndi. Girls and ladies surrounded the bride and the entire atmosphere was agog with laughter song and dance. Latika sat near the bride and had mehndi done on her hands. To dry it, she came out to the open courtyard and Lo! What she found... Rohan was sitting in a dimly lit corner near the verandah all alone. He was slowly applying turmeric paste on his cheeks using his right hand, very carefully keeping aside his left hand decorated by mehndi. His face was lit up in ecstasy as he was lip syncing a popular tune played loud on speaker. Rohan became both nervous and skeptical finding Latika there as he knew for sure, his sister is going to tell these things to his mother.

           Latika got the surprise of her life. Rohan posing like a bride was something that she could not easily take. Her naughty mind struck a deal with imagination to cook a palatable story and expose Rohan. This time, she muttered to herself - mom has to believe me she ran at a great speed to reach their house. Grandpa was the first person to be encountered .She gently pushed him aside and ran to the kitchen where Aruna was making filter coffee.

She narrated the entire episode in one breath .This time Aruna could not dismiss it easily. She  looked disturbed and summoned Rohan. Latika did the running again and brought Rohan along. His face hung in shame and he looked down, was ready to receive rebuke, reprimands and mild beating too as Aruna looked pensive. She  yelled at him “what the hell are you up to? Why are you behaving like this? When all your friends are busy playing, eating and enjoying the celebration, why are you sitting in a corner like a coy mistress and doing all girlish things?”Rohan had no apparent answer. He started drawing lines on ground using his toe, as nervousness had completely taken over his being. Aruna was harsh this time and shouted at the top of her voice. To this Rohan’s sobbing reply was “sorry mom, don’t know why I love to do things like these, but I enjoy the most and get a sense of freedom to open up”. Aruna had fixed her gaze on Rohan’s left hand by now. Mehndi  was drying, ready to leave the scarlet hue behind matching her red and tear laden eyes. She warned him not to repeat the act again, as he is a boy and should not indulge himself in such ridiculous acts. Rohan remained silent for the rest of the conversation as he could not comprehend the cause of wrath and ire. His mother was the first to leave the place in a huff, followed by his grandpa, who was listening to the conversation with all intent.

 Latika was seen wielding the baton of victory, was all smiles for having defeated her sibling and securing a higher berth for herself. After a weeklong vacation the family was back to the grind. Aruna had very less spare time on hand as examination was in the offing .She had to set question papers for the subjects she taught and focused on the assignment. Both Latika and Rohan remained busy in preparations for the examination. Rohan worked hard, harder than previous years .He wanted to defeat his sister by scoring more marks and earning parents’ favour. Rohan was a little less confident in English grammar and  Aruna decided to send him for tuition, at a nearby place. There were twelve students in the tuition .Few were from his school and others were from different schools. Sobhna, their neighbor took tuition along with Rohan. She was a fun loving girl and loved teasing boys and playing pranks, would often hide their books and demand chocolates to give back the books. The mates acceded without grudge as she was the most favourite student of the teacher there. She would often tell Rohan “You are super cute, should have been a girl. Your dimples are awesome dude .They give me a complex always. Your curvy sexy lips can carry any shade of lipstick with ease, I bet.”Rohan started to blush hearing this.

                        One day, Sobhna stealthily took a book out of Rohan’s bag .Her purpose was to hide the same and elicit ransom thereafter. As she was hiding the book, two packets of bindis fell down. Sobhna quickly picked those and kept them aside. When she returned the book after actualizing ransom, Rohan flipped through the pages. He did not find what he was looking for and asked “have you seen any small packet falling from the book?” Sobhna feigned innocence as she shrugged shoulders and replied “no, nothing dear”. Rohan was now caught in a catch 22 position .Neither he could discuss openly nor could refrain from being hurt .He preferred not to say anything .The next day , looking at his perplexed face ,Sobhna asked ”Are you looking for something? Is something bothering you dear? I can read the disgruntlement in your face.”Rohan stared angrily at him saying “what business have you got to search my bag and hide my books? I shall complain to the teacher.”Sobhna laughed and said “Take back your bindi packets cutie pie, you need them more than I do.”Rohan snatched those, kept them inside and warned her not to repeat the act. Sobhna too agreed not to. They hardly met afterwards, as they went to different branches of academics and joined different institutions for further studies. .

                      Rohan proved his mettle this time. Did better than Latika, could secure admission in a reputed college .His parents were delighted and wanted to take them for shopping. At the mall both the children picked clothes of their choice, shoes to complement .Aruna picked up some toiletries , a few household articles and a makeup kit launched by a reputed brand .Back home, Aruna went to the kitchen, Latika sat alongside her father and watched the ensuing cricket match. Rohan had nothing in particular to do. He started unpacking the new arrivals. Tried his clothes. Unpacked Latika’s gown, stood in front of mirror in intense contemplation, as to how he would look in the outfit, within minutes, packed her clothes as he could sense impending danger. Aruna’s makeup kit had beautiful packaging and his lurking desire wanted to unravel the mystery. The box contained a nail-paint, a lipstick, a face powder and foundation. He fondly touched and felt each item with great love. His eyes sipped each morsel of beauty that the box of makeup kit exuded.

                        His mother walked into the room just as he was about to apply her new lipstick. She was startled. He was startled.”What are you doing with my lipstick? It’s new...I have not used it so far. Could not you have waited?” He smiled and handed it back to her.”I forgot to tell you…I am playing Draupadi in our college production…rehearsals start this evening. The shade is very subtle mom, Could not help trying.”

         She was aghast. Words belied her feelings. She took a few seconds to compose and say “Okay, carry on, all the best” then left .He nearly sobbed and wondered “What is so offensive about it? Why mom is pretending, when she knows the nuances. It is after all, my right to embrace …life of my choice.” Aruna ran to the kitchen where she could cry aloud and her voice would mingle in the surround sound. As tear drops rolled over her cheeks, she started pleading with chance …”Why my tender Rohan? What has he done?”