June 09, 2007

The scenario was very unpleasant and it stunned me. I didn’t want to believe my eyes. As my brother’s eyes met mine, he was first shocked but then he cried. “What brought you here”? It was unusual for me to hear my older brother, Ahmer, speak this way. I didn’t say a word. I just went away, avoiding his angry eyes.

The whole night I sat awake, thinking over and over about it. “How can my brother do this?” “He always told me everything and now he’s turning into a spoilt brat!” How embarrassed I was when I saw him smoking, having a nice time with a gang of hooligans from our locality. Earlier he never ate betel nut, but now he loved to chew on them continuously. While I sat worried, Ahmer rushed to my room, panting. “I’m hiding in the washroom. Don’t tell dad I was out.” And he ran to the washroom. Suddenly the door burst open and there stood my dad, full of anger. “What made you wake-up at midnight?” He asked. “Umm… nothing dad, I was about to…. I was working over a project.” I lied.

“Where did Ahmer go?” He threw another question at me.

“N…no…where.” I said nervously.

“Sure?”

“Yup.”

“Where’s he then?”

“In the washroom.” I said finding my confidence.

The door closed and I signalled Ahmer to come out.

“You made me lie… why the hell are you doing this?” I cried.

“Lower your voice. It’s none of your concern.” He replied rudely.

“Ahmer, I’m your sister, and have the right to ask you. Or else I’ll…”

But he had already left my room, slamming the door behind. Tears started to pour down my cheeks. I really was very attached to my dear brother. I was extremely worried about him.

The whole house was busy preparing for my 13th birthday. But I sat quietly in my room, not even happy about entering my teenage years. Suddenly the door flew open and my best friend, Tania, entered the room. “I guess I’m talking to the right person? Injila? Well she’s supposed to be happy but….” She was interrupted by the tear that rolled down my cheek. “Injila, hey, what….?”

Tania sat beside me and I told her everything, from the beginning to the end. Ahmer came in and was taken aback by my face. “It is bad of you to make your sister cry when she’s supposed to smile.” Tania said.

“Well she shouldn’t be concerned.” He replied.

“How can you be so rude?” I stammered. But he went out without giving a reply.

The hall was filled with lots of guests and I stood in the middle, ready to turn into a teenager. The clock struck 12 and I was forced to cut my cake, even though I didn’t want to. I wanted to see him. The smile on my face was hard to fake. My brother was still nowhere to be seen. My heart sank. I wanted to cry. He didn’t even come to give me a birthday hug. Nor a wishing kiss. How rude he was. Tears filled my eyes and I ran to my room. But as I entered my room, somebody held me tight by my shoulder. I turned and found my brother smiling. Before I could say anything, he started singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ “I don’t have anything better to give you than this. I hope you like it.” He said. I took the card which he handed me. I opened and the words ran…

“I’m sorry to hurt you. But I promise I have left those gangsters and I swear, I won’t smoke anymore or be out late at night. I hope you accept my little gift…Happy Birthday.”

I ran to hug him. “I love you bro! It’s the best gift I’ve ever had.” I said. The hall was filled with a thunder of claps!