A Joy Ride ...

A few years ago, one summer day, we were waiting to hear the good news. My elder bro and his wife were expecting their second child.

My parents were eager to see a granddaughter. Until then, the house was full of grandsons.. "Grandsons are good, but granddaughter is a must", Mom and dad had spelled out on several occasions. " I have to be an aunt to a niece", I added to their feelings.

Later that afternoon, my elder brother's son and his cousins enquired when would his mom return with his new born brother from the hospital. I told him, "Mom, would be back soon with their sister".

On hearing this, there was an united shout "No, no way, we have no place for a sister in our gang. She will cry for little things. Girls are sissy". I was not happy to hear this. It was indeed a bad attitude towards my newly born niece.

"How could they not be waiting for their sister?" I am the second born , I am a girl . Mom, ones mentioned brother would hug around and sing newly learnt rhymes to her tummy. He was waiting for his unborn sister, a Star, who was yet to arrive.

"Bro do you remember, how you sang and made me feel welcome at home. Were you waiting for me? Did you always want a sister. or was it a brother you wished for? .I enquired.
He smiled to reply, "Yes, I was waiting, but neither for a sister nor a brother".

He continued ," Dad had promised that if I behaved well, when mom was carrying you , he would buy me a tricycle". "All the neighboring boys had one and played with it in the corridor". He smiled to say. Although, Bro was not waiting for me. I was happy neither was he waiting for any brother.

Dad kept his promise. He bought a tricycle but with a double seat. The family album at my parent's home shows my bro riding the tricycle with me, on the second seat. Mom remembers that he carried me everywhere, on his new tricycle, and I always smiled to enjoy it.

On this very day, indeed a star was born for dad, mom and big bro. Thankyou, brother for the "joy ride" and "happy birthday to me".