Lize

Yesterday was Mathew’s birthday and then today is Raksha Bandan. No connection whatsoever between the two events except that Mathew’s Sister Lize, short for Elizabeth has been my rakhi sister I guess for eternity now. I don’t have a sister neither am I close to my cousins.

Mathew and I have been friends for since I can remember having friends now. We went to the same school, sat on the same desk for many years and then we had one sister, Lize.Mathew was my first friend outside my building because the only children I had as neighbors and were of my age were girls. We were mostly together and I would find myself in Mathew’s house. He is a Mallu Christian and I have a darker complexion, totally different from typical Maharahstrian. We were thought of brothers sometimes. There is one best friends category in every person’s life in his/her childhood. Mathew comes in that category.

And then Lize was our constant companion when I visited their house. She use to offer us cold drinks when we came after playing in the hot sun, prepare snacks for us or at least arrange the snacks in plates. She was the only one who started remembering my birthday.

I don’t remember when she started tieing me Rakhi but she was the only one allowed to tie me rakhi at that time. She would wait for both of us and we would be roaming around. Once we started working, we would be late from office, we could meet her in late evening and then she would wait and wait. After so many years, we all have come a long way. The whole family including Mathew’s Father and mother has a special bond with me.

They are the only family I guess who I have been in touch for so many years and they are not even my neighbors. As for Lize, I know I will call her from wherever I am, on her special days. Mathew and I have drifted apart in the sense that we don’t meet each other that often. After I started my professional life, we meet only on birthday and festivals but then even after so many years, the bond still seems strong.

So, Today I called her and we talked like we have been talking everyday. I always call her changing my voice and today was no different. Twice, she cut my call telling me firmly that it’s a wrong number.

I always make it a point to call her on her birthday, Raksha Bandan, Christmas and New Year and some other special occasions. It is also for the fact that if I don’t call, she and Uncle (Her father) would kill me the next time I meet them. So today we caught on about what’s going in our life.

Her family is searching a groom for her. That’s when my devil’s mind started working. That’s how it went

Me: Right! You should get married early. Mathew’s girlfriend is after Mathew to get married quickly as possible. He is waiting for your marriage.
She: Mathew’s Girlfriend? He does not have a girlfriend
Me: Oh! He did not tell you? Ok! Ok! Leave it
She: What did he not tell me? There is no Girlfriend. You are pulling my leg.
Me: Why should I pull your leg? He did not tell you so he does not want you to know
She: So you tell na! You are my brother so don’t hide anything from your sister.
Me: I don’t know much except that her name starts with ‘S’
She: ‘S’?
Me: Yes! And She stays in Borivali and works in a bank
She: ‘S’?
Me: Yes! She was studying in Mary Immaculate School and did her college fromPathkar College.
She: ‘S’?
Me: I don’t think you know her.
She: How do you know. I will ask him today. That information will be my rakhi present.
Me: Ok you ask him. Heard she is changing jobs now. Don’t tell him, I told you otherwise there will be no further updates.

I give my final punch and after the usual bye, I keep the phone down with a devilish grin on my face. I am just imagining the look on Mathew’s face.

This is my third Raksha Bandan I have missed in a row. Hopefully we both don’t miss Raksha Bandan next year.