THE SISTER SYNDROME!!!

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.  ~Isadora James

I know I’m a really lucky guy. I have everything which millions of families in my own country wouldn’t even dare to dream of.  My wishes and fantasies have more often than not, been fulfilled and my parents have tried their best to cater to each and every need of mine, with appropriate concern. And God has constantly been with me. He has showered his blessings on me and has been with me in those rarest of circumstances where I may have felt the going tough. And I thank Him daily. I am forever, indebted to Him. I know that I am fortunate enough to be living the way I am living. And that if some code of His had gone slightly wrong, I would probably have been born as a cockroach in some African gutter!!!

But there’s one thing I constantly yearn for. Something which I have been wanting ever since my childhood. Something which I know is pointless sulking about. A sister. It may sound stupid, but there have been times when I’ve considered myself the unluckiest guy on the planet as I was not blessed with a sister. How do people actually make it through life without a sister?/  Now I know that every idiot on Earth doesn’t have a sister; nor do they consider it a loss. Perhaps its those small incidents I’ve encountered in my childhood, that’ve shaped my character. I remember once we’d this UAE Social Studies Monthly Test. Back in class 3 or 4. We were asked to write a few words on our family. Those days, we used to have readymade answers. In fact, the questions to be asked were fairly obvious before hand. Anyways, I scribbled down the answer I’d learnt by-heart and proceeded to the next question. The test was over in half an hour or so.

The following week, the Sir returned our Answer Papers. Forgot to mention something…. I was a very popular guy in the school. Atleast among the staff. My Dad’s been in Al-ain for the past 30 years and he’s got contacts with most Indian families there, not to mention Malayalees. Consequently, I was no stranger. Rather, I was really well-known (for the wrong reasons though…. more of that later!!). So this Sir under question, distributed our Papers. I got a perfect 10(Those days, anything short of 100% would demand inquiry into why I wasn’t paying attention to studies). Its only after I reached home and showed Mom the marks that I went through my answers (And his remarks, if any).

I noticed that he had circled this answer where I’d mentioned that “My family consists of My father, mother, brother and my sister. Now that was the readymade answer. This Sir, who knew my background, circled the word “sister” and put a question mark beside, as if indicating to me “Who the fuck are u talking about??!!” Now, I’ve been in that situation plenty of times, but for the first time ever, her absence struck my heart. I began weeping. Desperately. I felt lost, lonely. And maybe, for a fraction of a second, felt that life was unfair. Now guyz, get this clear….. I wasn’t missing a sibling. I have a great person in my brother and I have openly admitted that he is my icon, my role model. And there are several aspects of life, where I try to emulate him, and know I cannot. He’s simply special. But then, I dont know whats so special about sisters that makes me love them from the bottom of my heart. Its possibly because I dont have one.

That was probably the beginning. Ever since, I have had a special affection for sisters. Or for anybody, who would want to term me their ‘brother’(Though at times, it really hurts). I really savour that bond. It really does help having a sister. A so-called sister, atleast. I have realised that they can mean so much to you apart from being just a namesake sister. More so, in my case, as I am the youngest among 8 cousins. A true, loving friend, listener, counsellor, sharer of delights…..she can be so many things at the same time. Amazing!!

This post is dedicated to all my she-cousins, plus all those loving ‘sisters’, who have sprinkled colour and fragrance into my life. Rakshabandhan was over a week back. Dear sisters, I may not receive any hand-bands from anyone of you, but I would like to mention with all my heart, that you are a real gem. I really do treasure you, and all the love and armth you’ve spread in my life. Thanks a million……

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities.  She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.  She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.  She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.  Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.  ~Barbara Alpert