The sun began to rise and peaked
through the curtains. Today was Raksha Bandhan and the house was
full of festivities. Everyone was up early preparing for the pooja
and afterwards the sister would tie the rakhi onto her brother. Little
Nisha was five years old and very excited. Her mummy had dressed
her up in a little green choli.
The pooja was over and Nisha's mom
told her to sit down next to her brother, Anooj, who was seven years old.
Her mom sat down next to her and the rest of the family sat around them.
Nisha's mom took little Nisha's ring finger and dipped into a red liquid
full of rice bits. Nisha giggled as she poked her brother on the
forehead and made a chandla. Anooj squirmed and scowled as he did
not like chandlas.
"Come on smile, Anooj," coaxed the
mother.
Then Nisha's mom took out a shiny
red rakhi. It had colorful beads in the center and had a silver border.
It sparkled when the sun hit against it. Nisha grabbed the rakhi
and struggled as she tried to tie it around her brother's wrist.
Finally, she gave up and asked her mom to help her tie it. Anooj
stared at the rakhi. He actually loved rakhis, but would never tell anyone.
Anooj's mouth watered as he knew what was next.
Two big rasgolas sat in a plate
next to Nisha. Nisha grabbed the big, white spongy sweet and stuffed
it into his mouth.
"Mmmm..," said Anooj.
He sat there munching for a couple
of minutes relishing the taste as everyone in the family laughed.
Anooj was about to grab the second rasgola, but then realized he had to
feed it to Nisha. She sat there open mouth waiting for the sweet
to tingle her taste buds.
After the sweets, Nisha waited for
her gift. The mother had given some money to Anooj to give to Nisha,
but Anooj thought it would be funny to tease Nisha. However, his
mom realized what Anooj was up to and gave him a hard look. Anooj
sighed and took out the envelope tucked into his pocket. He handed
it over to Nisha and she gleamed. Nisha hugged Anooj and held onto
the envelope letting no one see it. The ceremony was over, but the
love between Anooj and Nisha would never end.
