Relationships: Sister act: Meeting her after all these years

Kathmandu:

The most special person in my life is my elder sister Ashesworee who I lovingly call Acchhu. She went abroad for further studies when I was in class II, and that was six years ago.

I still remember the day she flew off to her foreign destination. I held on to her hands very tightly, even praying silently that she’d take me with her. I cried for many days after her departure. Even my mum could not console me.

However, with dad’s help I learnt to use the computer and the Internet, and soon became at expert at sending e-mails. My first mail was to my Achhu.

Over the months and years, I came to accept and understand why she had to go so far away from home.

Recently she was home for a few days. When I got to know that she was coming, my joy and excitement knew no bounds. As it was a holiday, I could also go to the airport to receive her. I was so excited that I even felt myself shivering.

We waited outside as dad went in to receive her. Soon I saw her being escorted out by dad. All these years I had seen her on the computer screen, meeting her face to face after six years was something amazing and more than I had expected. She hugged me and said that she had not realised that I was grown so tall.

We spent the evening catching up on things, and even slept in the same cot.

Acchhu found the changes in Kathmandu very depressing and was alarmed at the haphazard constructions and pollution. She shocked to see every other person holding a mobile phone and the number of vehicles.

Her stay was short and it seemed shorter because I had to go to school and she had to visit friends, relatives and her khatryak khutruk kinmel. However, in the three weeks that she was here we did spend some quality time together.

Acchhu shared her memories of me. She said when I was little, I used to love her so much that if any one scolded or tried to harm her, I would scream and shout for help.

The weeks just flew and too soon it was time for her to fly again. I couldn’t go to the airport to see her off as I had school. But I remembered her every minute that day in school, and even tried to catch the sound of the airplane taking her away from me.

I came to an empty and silent house and hoped to find that Acchhu had not gone after all. But it was in vain, and I knew that.

I could still smell her in the room and her advice still rang in my ears — be honest about your studies, love your parents and friends, respect your teachers and elders, and aim to a responsible person.