My Brother My Friend

The sun began to rise and peaked through the curtains.  Today was Raksha Bandhan and the house was full of festivities.  Everyone was up early preparing for the Hawan and afterwards the sister would tie the rakhi onto her brother.  Little Amrita was five years old and very excited.  Her mummy had dressed her up in a little green shalwar.  

The Hawan was over and Amrita's mom told her to sit down next to her brother, Amrit, who was seven years old. Her mom sat down next to her and the rest of the family sat around them.  Amrita's mom took little Amrita's ring finger and dipped into a red liquid full of rice bits.  Amrita giggled as she poked her brother on the forehead and made a chandla.  Amrita squirmed and scowled as he did not like chandlas.  

"Come on smile, Amrit," coaxed the mother.

Then Amrita's mom took out a shiny red rakhi.  It had colorful beads in the center and had a silver border.  It sparkled when the sun hit against it.  Amrita grabbed the rakhi and struggled as she tried to tie it around her brother's wrist.  Finally, she gave up and asked her mom to help her tie it.  Amrit stared at the rakhi. He actually loved rakhis, but would never tell anyone.  Amrit's mouth watered as he knew what was next.
Two big rasgolas sat in a plate next to Amrita.  Amrita grabbed the big, white spongy sweet and stuffed it into his mouth.  

"Mmmm..," said Amrit.  

He sat there munching for a couple of minutes relishing the taste as everyone in the family laughed.  Amrit was about to grab the second rasgola, but then realized he had to feed it to Amrita.  She sat there open mouth waiting for the sweet to tingle her taste buds.  

After the sweets, Amrita waited for her gift.  The mother had given some money to Amrit to give to Amrita, but Amrit thought it would be funny to tease Amrita.  However, his mom realized what Amrit was up to and gave him a hard look.  Amrit sighed and took out the envelope tucked into his pocket.  He handed it over to Amrita and she gleamed.  Amrit hugged Amrit and held onto the envelope letting no one see it.  The ceremony was over, but the love between Amrit and Amrita would never end.