A Small Wish

Anuradha was tying a rakhi on her brother's wrist. It was a ritual she never failed to perform. She selected the rakhi with great care. It was simple, yet beautiful! Her brother Ramesh seemed to like it too. Her sister-in-law went into the kitchen to fetch the sweets she had kept ready for the occasion. Ramesh handed her the gift he had bought for her. She opened the packet excitedly. Yes! She loved to receive gifts even today! Not for its value but as a token of love that was wrapped in it! She opened the package. There was a pair of gleaming, shiny gold earrings inside! "Why Anna! You shouldn't have brought such an expensive gift", she said, "after all, It is the thought that counts". Ramesh smiled affectionately at his sister! She still seemed to him like the baby sister of his childhood who would demand this or that gift, dropping hints and making sure that he knew what she exactly wanted!

"That's ok", he said casually, "I don't give you gifts very often. So make the most of it!", he said, teasing her. Anuradha joined in the laughter as her mind was thrown back to the day that they first celebrated Rakhi at home!

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"Amma! Can I also tie Rakhi to my brother?" Little Anu asked her mother, her eyes shining with anticipation, wholesome walked with her mother into the marketplace.

"We don't celebrate this festival in our part of the country", Rukmini said firmly.

"Why amma? It is such a nice festival! And look at the rakhis! So colorful and pretty! Amma please buy one for me! I want to tie it on Anna's wrist", Anu pleaded with her mother.

"Anu! Be quiet. If I have said it once, I have said it for all! Please don't bother me!" Rukmini said firmly.

Anu knew her mother would never buy it, but she had tried.

'Why is it that we have different celebrations in different parts of the country?' Anu thought bitterly.

Anu adored her brother. And so did everybody else in the family. Although he was older by only a couple of years, he behaved like he was much older. He helped her with her studies, told her interesting stories, and was very protective of her. She wanted to celebrate Rakshabandhan so much like every girl in their colony would be doing! But her amma was adamant! Tears of disappointment rolled down her cheeks as she tried to sleep thinking about the incident the evening. She wiped them dry and eventually fell asleep.

The next day was a holiday for Rakhi. So there was no morning rush to go to school!

"Anu! Wake up! It is time for school!" She heard her amma's voice trying to wake her up.

"No amma! It is a holiday! Let me sleep for some more time!" Anu said pulling the cover over her head. But her sleep was interrupted. She tossed and turned as she tried to go back to sleep. Now she was really cross with her mother! Such a spoilsport! She won't allow celebration and now she won't let me sleep for a while on a holiday!

'I wonder why grownups are like this!', thought Anu, determined not to wake up just then.

" Ok, then you can help me with some of the chores. Mangamma hasn't come today!" She heard her mother shouting from a distance. "How come Mangamma is celebrating Rakhi? She is also from our place only, isn't she?", Anu felt like asking her mother but she didn't dare to.

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and woke up. She slowly turned to smoothen her pillow and make her bed. As she turned, her eyes widened in surprise! There, lying next to her bed was a beautiful Rakhi, colourful with gold trimmings, just like the one she had wanted. She was now alert as all signs of sleep vanished from her face. She jumped up, gathered the rakhi, and rushed to her mother! She wanted to give a hug to her mother and tell her how much she loved her! As she rushed, she heard her amma doing her puja! She couldn't be disturbed then. Her face fell! Her enthusiasm dampened a bit. Her pace slowed down and she walked slowly with her head bowed down as if she was praying too.

"How was the surprise Anu?", she heard her father Ajay say in whispering tones, prodding her in the ribs. She chuckled and gave her a hug to her father instead. "Very nice! Thank you sooooo much!" She said continuing in the same conspiratorial tone.

"OK then, get ready quickly! Anna has already gone for a bath!" We can then start the rakhi celebrations as soon as Amma is finished with her puja!" Ajay said.

"Yes, nanna!" She kissed her dad on his cheek and rushed back to her room.

Ajay's gaze followed her fondly as a slow smile spread across his face.