1st born?
The elder one.
The elder Daughter.
That’s what she’s always been addressed as.
“.. and this is our elder Daughter…”
“Oh! So you are the elder Daughter! ”
“You’re their elder Daughter. .”
“But you are, our elder Daughter…”
And those two words, trapped her. probably for life..
Because being the elder one, especially a daughter, came with it’s own highs and lows..
Being the 1st born, she’d been the most pampered one; more than her younger sibling.. The most loved one. The one, who’s always been the most cared for.. So much so, that the out pour of affection began choking her. Because being the elder daughter, also meant standing up, and living upto the expectations that everyone around her had..
And that journey began the 1st day she put her foot in school..
“You are the elder daughter of brilliant parents.. ” And so, she ought to be as smart as them.. And what other better way to proving it than getting entangled in the typical Indian “rank” system..
Since kindergarten , it was drilled into her little mind that the smartness of an individual was depicted by the way they fared in examinations.. That the better marks you get, the smarter you are.
And she accepted that too.. Like bible.
Because if that is what it took to show the world that she’s her parents’ daughter, then be it..
And as she began growing up, that sack of expectations began getting bigger, and heavier..
“But your mom was a very good athlete, you know?”
She was once told, when in primary school..
And that, was he beginning of another approval..
“Yes, my daughter is going to be a fine athlete too.. She just needs good training.”
And at the tender age of 6, she was pushed into an all new world of sports.. And she loved it too, initially. But later, it started taking a toll on her health. Being atopic was proving to be a hindrance as track sports invloved living in dust.
So what?
Some other sport!
Because, by now, it had become a known fact to her that she’s the daughter of parents who had been the best at both worlds.
AND so, at 9, she discovered this thing called swimming. And instantly fell in love with it. Playing with water had anyway been her favourite hobby!
And aced,did she, at swimming.. Like it was her 1st love..
And the environment at home didn’t allow her to ignore her academics..
So, she too, ‘like her parents’, became the best at both worlds..
And then, she was treated like a princess. Wherever she went with her parents, she used to be showered with appreciation. And her parents would proudly introduce her –
“And this, is our elder Daughter..”
And then, somewhere between growing up, she got hooked to playing Badminton too!
And she started focusing on extracurricular activities in school.. She began taking a course in classical dance, classical music; all while balancing academics well.
