I Miss You More Than You Know

We had these "sophisticated" guests coming to our house to see one of our "sweet" cousins. Another "eligible" bride being watched at our place. It usually happens at our home. You know it is so pretty that all our NRI relatives fall head over heels for it. This was long time back. I guess about two years ago. And my brother, being the more "responsible" of the lot, was supposed to welcome the guests. Our cousin, Shweta, was busy sleeping. Can you imagine? The girl who was supposed to be seen by so many people was sleeping. Well, when her mom told her to get up, she said "Mom, I have jet lag. And besides, you want me to look fresh, don't you?" Phew!! Another NRI throwing tantrums. Well, we've been handling such "cool" cousins for like so many years now. Chuck that! Coming back to the evening's chores. It was I guess November...yeah! November and before even the guests came, our house was already filled with seven people. And I hope you know how NRIs behave once they are in their own country! No offense but most of them are like that.."Oh, the weather is so tacky..the dogs licked my nail, now I 'll have to bathe..." Some of them are still tolerable. Had my brother not been there, I would have surely gotten pissed off. After about six in the evening, both our dogs fought with each other for barking on the door bell. My mom called "Shrutiiiiiiiiiii" in her loudest voice and asked me to take the dogs with me. I mean, why always me? Sometimes I feel, I am more of a dog catcher! Anyways, I thought that there would be an old man, an old woman and a son. Obviously, the whole big fat family doesn't come to see the bride. This was my first experience of something this sorts. There stopped one car. Then another and then the last one. All three cars were pure white. Ladies steeped out of the first one. Men from the second and really old ones from the third car.

People from my colony thought that we had a BIG engagement party. My mom freaked out at the number of "guests" she saw. And I was very honestly, PISSED OFF. My sweet Sunday evening was spoiled. I couldn't watch any movie just because of the two generations who came. Ironically, the guy for whom the bride was being searched, hadn't come. All I and my brother did was put dishes on the table, take them away, put new ones and take them away too. My brother had to make about twenty cups of tea in about two huge vessels. The best tea set was taken out. The best silver cutlery was used. I asked my brother, "These cups are so small. They would hold only two sips of tea." And he replied, "What do you think they are here for? Drinking tea or inspecting our drama queen?"

Well, as everyone says, I am a dream come true for any poor joker, I laughed out LOUD. And suddenly stopped. My brother was laughing silently. You know with those zipped lips and face becoming red. mom came in the kitchen and told us, "Tum log zara dheere hasongey please. Yeh log bahot zyada sophisticated hain. All of them were looking at each other when this silly girl laughed." And as always, both of us burst out laughing again. Mom laughed after looking at my brother's red face. And then she told him to take care of the tea.

Ta-da!! Shweta came down the stairs making a very irritating sound with her pencil heels. She had about three inched heels, though her shoes were very pretty. She is a pretty girl so she looked pretty in a suit. There was no seat in the living room. So, guess who was asked to bring one? ME!! Why should I get a seat for that level headed, snobbish, shrewd, irritating, bloody NRI. Tea was served by mom and the "guests" were impressed by the tea set. They had to be! It was the most expensive we had. With pure gold plated handles and brim. I simply love it. So, I got her the heavy chair and she sat. She didn't give me a "Thank You". How rude?!? My brother called me in the kitchen and started making fun of that weird looking old man who was sleeping while people talked about Shweta's hobbies, interests, job and salary.

Dad called me and bhaiyya to greet the guests. I asked bhaiyya before going in front of them, "Yahan toh itne saare log hain, kis kis ko namaste karu?" My brother smiled and said, "Bas sabko ek saath dekh liyo aur haath jod kar rakhiyo. Apne aap namaste ho jayegi!" Wow! What an idea sir ji! I did exactly what he asked me to. These people did not seem as angry as they were. My poor mom was in the kitchen for the next I don't know how many hours. And my brother was helping her all through. I was told to stay out. When I asked why, there came a snap reply from my brother, "Zara si toh hai tu, kho jayegi khane ke beech. Aur waise bhi, you disturb us with your small hands and slow steps." I felt so bad when he said that, that I went right up to my room with my dogs. I was very very hungry, but as per the courtesy, I was to eat after the guests had eaten. My brother came to my room with a chocolate pastry and mango juice. He had his own snacks in the other hand. Both of us ate and laughed a lot. He made fun of every oldie who slept and every word that Shweta spoke in her not so heavy Australian accent. That evening was very hectic and when I came to know that Shweta had rejected the proposal, I felt so irritated. I was like, "All our hard work and hunger paid off nothing?"

Even today, I get to experience many of these evenings. But the only difference now is that I make the tea all alone in the kitchen and am all quiet. I serve snacks and take them back too, not even spilling even the least of laughter. Sometimes, I tell my mom, "I miss bhaiyya specially on these evenings. He would have made these busy kitchen chores a lot funnier and lighter." And my mom looks at me with pitiful eyes when she sees the sparkle of my brown pupil.
My brother studies in Brisbane and I miss him a lot! All I wanna tell him is that "I miss you more than you can ever think of. This Rakhi was the first 'solitary' Rakhi I have ever had. I pray to God that you stay happy forever and don't you dare to forget to bring me that iPhone you have promised. God Bless and I miss you A LOT..."