I hurriedly finished all my chores – cleaned my room, finished my homework, ate my dinner and brushed my teeth. My mom, highly amused, asked, “What’s the rush, Sneha? Surely, you do not have to go anywhere this late?” I shook my head, “No, Mom, I have to complete an assignment.” She frowned, “But you told me you had already finished your homework.” “Yes,” I said hurriedly. “I thought I did, I just remembered this assignment now.”

I could feel her shaking her head and I escaped to my room before she could say a word. I had lied to my mother and I did not want to get caught. I had to write a letter to my brother and I did not want anybody to interfere. So, I settled down with a sheet of paper and a pen and started scribbling on it.

Dear Bhaiya,

It’s Raksha Bandhan today. All of my friends at school were so excited. They showed me colourful rakhis which they had purchased for their brothers. They were so gleeful about the gifts that they would get from their brothers. Shormila said that once her brother fought with their neighbours’ son as he had been teasing her for quite some time. Then Poornima started talking about how her brother protects her from her dad when he gets angry. Bhaiya, I am not complaining and I am very happy for my friends. But, I also feel so jealous and I really miss you. I so badly want to tie a rakhi on my brother’s wrist. Yes, sure, I can tie it on our cousin’s wrist or maybe one of my friends’. But, I do not want to tie it on somebody who’s like my brother, I want to tie a rakhi on your hand! Won’t you come and meet me on the day of Raksha Bandhan? Are you that angry with us?” I almost did not notice my sister standing right behind me, reading the whole thing! I screeched, “Haven’t you heard about the thing called privacy? Why do you keep following me like a lost puppy?” She sneered, “So this was the assignment that you forgot about? A letter to your bhaiya!”

“Tell me,” she continued, “What’s so special about your bhaiya? What can he do that I can’t do?”

“My bhaiya can protect me from all those dangerous guys out there! I announced promptly.”

“So can I,” she said. “I am learning Karate. If anybody so much as touches your hair, I’ll give them a nice solid kick.” I hid my smile with a cough, “My bhaiya is amazing in Math! He can help me score better in that subject.”

“Huh!” she snorted. “Big deal! I can help you with that too. You may think of me as a kid, but I am a champ in that subject and I can make you an expert.” She was smiling now, “Do you really think that only bhaiya can do that? Don’t you think that I may love you too?”

I had tears in my eyes! In my hurry to write to my brother, I’d forgotten to think about my little sister. As we hugged each other, my sister gave her parting shot, “Oh, and there’s one more thing that I can do and bhaiya can’t do.” I waited for her to complete her thought. “I can do all of the above things and do them for real! Not like your imaginary brother!”

I stood there laughing at my only sibling, not sure whether I was laughing at her or myself.

Whoever said Raksha Bandhan can only be celebrated with brothers. It is the jet age and in this age... sisters rock too!