Bitter Steps to better life

Chpt 13: Should a gift be from a rapper?

When I was young, our Raksha Bandhan celebration would be amazing. I mean, I would never mind what I got. Daddy gave me 100/- every year, but still, I feel like I don't need any money. I would return it to him. Even when my relatives offered me some money as their love, I would give all the money to my dad. As I started growing up, every Raksha Bandhan was not a celebration because our parents were not with us, so it never seemed like a celebration, but still, I would tie Rakhi to both of them, but in return, they wouldn't have anything to give me. They gave me part of their sweets as a gift. As the years passed, my middle brother wouldn't get time due to his work. Every year, those pictures of the status of others would charm me. The very next day after the celebration, our classes would be filled with blossoms of talk, which would bring smiles to some faces. Everyone was asking and telling each other about their expensive and memorable gifts and surprises. I was the one who didn't ask any questions because I had never had an answer. How would I ask? I would take my gaze away from them and avoid it, but still someone or another would ask me, "What gift did you get for Raksha Bandhan?" My soul turned into silence for some time, turning my body cold. I would answer "Nothing they gave, due to their own problems".

Once, I told my middle brother that I didn't understand what to say. He would also feel bad, but he would always give a valuable answer to it. He was the one who never provided me with gifts, but the greatest gift they provided me was love and care. He always cleared up all my stuck-up questions.

He creates new hope in me every day. He could care for me like a mother. Even after his 12 hours of work, sometimes he would cook something special for all of us. He supported my dreams and studies. In spite of not enjoying his own salary, he contributed everything to home. In between, he could always give me money to just go and enjoy my days, but I never had one who could join me for enjoyment. Sometimes Vaishali would accompany me. He took me out for his shopping companion. He would cook special dishes for me because I didn't like to spend much in those trendy hotels or because I preferred home-made food to outside food. He would force me to watch movies with him. Sometimes he wouldn't like my silence. Sometimes he would do half my household work, so I could rest for a while. I would never get this gift from anyone, and it's much more than a rapper gift.