Younger or elder, brothers have protective instincts in their DNA

I sat in the crowded compartment with rowdy boys - some passed nasty comments, one made a dirty gesture and one even tried to take my picture. I cuddled myself in my own embrace. I took my dupatta and covered as much of my bare skin as possible. Though, I was wearing a salwar-kameez. I was scared. I heard many stories of eve-teasing. And panic kicked in the moment one boy tried to move an inch closer. Then, I started scolding you. I said mean things. I hated you so much that I wanted to slap you the moment you would appear in front of me. I was angry beyond words.

'Where you were?' Sitting comfortably in another compartment. Not caring for your sister who did practically everything for you. You were the worst brother on the planet. Forgetting your duties. Taking everything for granted. Tears trickled down my cheeks. The crowd was thinning, and the boys were gaining more confidence. Honestly, I was more disappointed in you. I started weeping. If there was ever a time, I felt helpless - this was it! I dragged myself closer to the window when the elderly man moved out. My body felt heavier with the disappointment it carried. You failed me as a brother that day!

I turned my face towards the window and let the air dry my tears. And then, I saw you. You were running from compartment to compartment - looking for me. You were three compartments away. I thought of calling you, but I didn't. I was that angry! I saw you repeating the same exercise in seven more train stops. The moment train stopped, you came out of your compartment and looked for me through the windows. You probably did the same in my compartment earlier but missed me as I was ducking behind that old man and his luggage. And by this time, I was wailing. I was ashamed of myself. I raised you in the absence of our working parents. I should have known that you can never-ever be irresponsible. How can I think of you like that?


When you couldn't find me by looking through the windows, you started hopping into the compartments. You started with the last one, and on the next stop, you boarded the next compartment... looking for me. I saw that too. I yanked by neck every time the train stopped. I was not worried of those boys anymore. The thought that you were looking for me made me safe! Do you know how proud of you I was that time? Finally, you came into my compartment and found me. You were so relieved. I put up a straight face and asked, 'Where were you?' 'I was looking for you,' is all you said.

I gave you my water bottle, went to the dirty train washroom and wept. You have no idea how little you made me that day! You are my younger brother. Seven years younger to be precise. But that day, I felt small. I never shared this incident - on a local train from Delhi to Ambala, how my respect for you multiplied with each train stop. You are the best brother on the planet! Best, as there were days I failed you, but you have never failed me. Never-ever!

* * *
P. S. - True story of the day when we missed Jan Shatabdi and took the next train from Subzi Mandi as we were advised to board any train to avoid the long weekend rush in the evening. And this post is a warm dedication to my brother on Raksha Bandhan.

Comments

  1. Adorable! Brothers we may fight with them; they can be absent minded but they are there for is when it matters. I see the same in my younger brother.

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    1. I joke with my husband and often quote this famous statement - Sari khudai ek taraf, joru ka bhai ek taraf!

      Brothers are special!

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  2. Such a beautiful story! I don't have a sister, but still I was swept away in the emotional torrent! The success of the story was that I was feeling upset with you for making that poor kid anxious.

    Some dedication! Your brother ought to be proud of you!

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    1. Hahaha... Jokes apart, I am very scared that time. I was disappointed in him too. It was anger out of love that led to those actions. Not good, I know.

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  3. :) I know the feeling .. God bless you both.. and happy raksha bandhan day to you :)

    Bikram's

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    1. Brothers always know. Thanks for reading, Bikram.

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  4. beautifully penned -brother younger or elder ,always protective

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    1. I concur. They are... Be it elder or younger, as in my case.

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  5. Ah...sisters can be so cruel sometimes....but brothers care in their own way whether we realize that or not...

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    1. I guess the cruelty comes out of love. Isn't it, Sunaina?

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  6. A beautiful dedication. Such a heart warming post :)

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  7. You are gifted to get good brother :)

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  8. In the first paragraph I was shocked for a while as a brother but finally ......everything was good. For a while I too relate me with your words . Sisters are always caring , truly accept it .

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    1. It was a shocking and terrifying experience for me. It turned to be good for our relationship, though.
      Thanks for reading.

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  9. Lucky bro to have a sis like you who understands..!

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  10. Aww..A confession. I too have confessions to my younger Brother- http://lifethroughmybioscope.com/5-confessions-brother/
    Loved the suspense in the post Saru. We are blessed.

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  11. What a beautiful dedication. Indeed heartwarming <3

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  12. Beautiful write up, touched the heart.

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  13. Total awwww wali feeling! My brother is the same!

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  14. Brothers always caring just like sisters.

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  15. Happy Raksha Bandhan to you both.. so beautifully penned down and I couldn't tell who is more luckier.. let the love cherish forever and ever :-)

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  16. That was quite a rollercoaster of emotions. It's terrible that you have to go through all that, but the feeling that your brother was looking for you must have been overwhelming as well. Beautiful post on Rakshabandhan

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    1. It was beyond overwhelming. Many beliefs were uprooted and many bonds were strengthened. A hell of a day for me, Raj.

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  17. कहानी के कुछ मोड़ अच्छे लगे । बढ़िया प्रस्तुति...

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  18. Beautiful post Saru! Sometimes in hour of crisis our judgment gets clouded. Stay blessed!

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    1. I agree. We are carried away with emotions and anger. Anger, in my case. Thanks for reading, Sir.

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  19. These small anecdotes live in our memory, the writer in us makes it more beautiful...loved reading it.

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    1. Power of words, Ronita. Thanks a bunch for reading.

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  20. Aww.. I don't have a brother. But a sister and it doesn't make any difference. Even if they are younger to you, sometimes, you feel younger to them. Certain moments & gestures of theirs :)

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    1. So well said. Certain moments that make our bond stronger.

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  21. This was such a touching post Saru. A very apt one for Raksha Bandhan. Eve-teasing is such a menace.

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    1. I agree. I read your recent post and I love that short film.

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  22. Reading this brought tears in my eyes. I don't have a sister and have always wondered how awesome it would have been. Now I got to feel a piece of that wonderful bond. :)

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  23. loved it :)
    and you are right in saying "brothers have protective instincts in their DNA" i am a brother of two

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  24. It was sad to read how uncomfortable you felt. Boys like your brother make a better tomorrow for us all.

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  25. That's a nice sweet little dedication to your brother :). Whether they are younger or older, they always make it a point to be protective about their sisters.

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