with love

to my sister...

I love you the way you are - tender, loving, caring, kind, friendly, warm, smart, sometimes stupid and crazy!! Today, I feel like letting the world know how much I love you and how much you mean to me.

We have spent hours together; sometimes totally in love with the universe and sometimes cribbing about every li'l thing around. I don’t remember when we got so close; may be in one of our summer vacations together when we climbed trees and played hide and seek. I for one do not remember spending much time with you when granny was around. All I remember is that I envied you for the pretty dimple on your cheek!! What I can never forget is the time we spent together roaming the streets during high school and advising each other like we know the world. It happened quietly. There were things in you that mirrored me and in me that mirrored you. Perhaps, that is why we happen to jokingly call ourselves 'Soul Sisters'. Oh the many hours of laughter, non-stop talking, eating, sharing our thoughts and feelings, sharing happiness and love, updating each other about ourselves ever so often, bitching about others, gossiping as if it were very important, planning the future, going to the theatre, watching movies, pouring out our frustration, giving a shoulder when in need, spreading joy, making fun of people, clicking pictures, shopping, travelling, making grand plans, acting too cool, singing, dancing: that’s US.

We got so close because initially we shared the same interests – even now, deep within, we do. But we just don’t say we do. We end up liking the same thing when we go out shopping, we don’t take much time deciding what to gift someone because we pick up the exact same present. We love the idea of travelling far distances together…reading, listening to good music.

I still remember how we used to watch cricket together for hours. I remember how we used to discuss cricket trivia over phone for hours. I remember how we convinced our uncle to buy us tickets to watch a match together – just the two of us!

There are certain things that you understand without me having to tell you what it is. And there are other things that I tell you myself. There are a few things I prefer not to tell you and I end up hating myself for that. I sometimes think that you hypnotize me over phone because after talking to you everything seems so perfect that there was never a need to be wild and angry. Sometimes I offer you advise which you take with a smile. Even though we are ‘just cousins’ I don’t see the difference. We stay in different houses, a few kilometers away from each other but I don’t feel the gap. We meet almost every weekend or at least talk to each other for hours every other day. I don’t miss you sister because you are with me always. Thank you for being who you truly are and for giving me all that you have. Love you loads. Hugs.

P.S. I still envy that dimple on your cheek.

With Love,

your sister shruthi