Remembering Ekta...
Today is a very auspicious day in India… One of the most beautiful festivals is celebrated when a sister ties an ornamental wristband (or Rakhi) on their brother's wrist as a token of respect and affection… Raksha means protection, and the siblings share the festive moment to remind them that they are always there to protect each other.
I don't have my own sister, but I have many first and second cousin sisters. Every year I get a Rakhi from them, and with physical distances being so far apart, they have transformed from the physical to the digital state. However, the feeling hasn't changed, and our love for each other is staying strong.
However, a lot else has changed this year…
Every year, whether I was in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or the US, Ekta always sent me a Rakhi. Today on Raksha Bandhan, I miss that touch of warmth that I felt when I used to open the envelope to see a shiny Rakhi and a hand-written note by her.
Gosh, I miss her… She was the best sister one could think of… Never asked anything in return, loved hearing my side, and no matter the situation, always found a way to cheer me up… Unconditional love.
Ekta was my paternal cousin sister, who also had an elder brother. My own brother and I visited the two of them during our holidays, and we had some great memories growing up together. The four of us had a lot of similarities. We were like the siblings from the Hum Saath Saath Hai movie. Even though we were three boys and one girl, that never made us limit the aspects of fun we wanted to have... Yes, we used to disagree, we used to fight, but who doesn't… We knew Ekta didn't like playing Cricket, but seeing that we four bonded so well, playing the sport was just an excuse to be together. Those visits to the neighborhood cafe, the long walks at the park talking about our lives… and as we grew up, we became role models for each other.
The thing I loved the most about Ekta was her self-independence and self-reliance. She was always determined to find a balance in her life. Whether it be work-life balance, personal relationships, or societal pressures, she always found a way to live life on her terms. I remember her telling me once that she resigned from a job because they asked her to work on weekends. At first, it might sound weird, but she was extremely strict when it came to her time. Weekends were her solitude days, and she wouldn't trade them for anything. Few years after that, she started her endeavor by being a life coach, and it wasn't a surprise to me.
When I look back at the time Ekta and I spent, she is the only one in my entire extended family who came to visit me at every place I worked. She came and visited when I was in Hyderabad, Bangalore, and she surprised me immensely when she called me to say that she is coming to visit me in the USA. People tell me that I travel a lot, but that wanderlust nature comes mainly from my father and sister. Ekta loved traveling, and it was her passion to explore new places. She visited me wherever I was, and every time she came, it was a pleasure showing her around. I still remember that first line she used to say when she saw me - 'Gupps, What's up?'
The reference being that Gappu is my pet name, and Gupps is the cool way to address it.
Today when I recall the memories I have spent with her, it makes me feel sorry that I couldn't be with her at that moment…
Her life was short, but for once, she never felt lost… Instead, she lived her life on her own terms and never relied on anyone's help to make her whole.
Wherever you are Ekta, know that we love you, and the void from your absence will never be filled… No matter where I end up in my life, I will remember your influence on me.
Love you, Sis!
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