Chapter 7: Bonds and Boundaries

Arjun coughed lightly, snapping me back. I said, "Big Brother Singh, there’s no need for such formality."

I smiled. "I’ve learned something about people’s customs."

Big Brother Singh was stern. "A small punishment as a warning. There’s unrest in the south. Papa plans to send my second brother to gain experience."

Kabir looked at me pitifully. I smiled. "All right, Kabir, Arjun and I will give you some advice today."

Big Brother Singh left first. Kabir immediately threw down the thorny branches. "Ow—"

I signalled the househelp to bring medicine and personally applied it for Kabir.

He winced as I dabbed the balm on his back, but didn’t pull away. Outside, a koel called, as if mocking his bravado.

"For this trip, I have another instruction for you."

My fingers brushed the skin of his back, and he arched like a startled fish.

"What’s wrong? Does it hurt?"

Kabir blushed and shook his head. I finished applying medicine and personally wrapped his chest in cloth.

"Be careful when you’re out," I reminded him.

We are all good young men; we mustn’t make mistakes. How can we let others see our chests so easily?

We must bind tightly, lest we be accused of being shameless.

Fortunately, only Arjun and I saw it today.

Kabir looked at me, silent. I stooped to tie his belt for him.

He mumbled, "Didi, I—I have a request."

"Speak."

Kabir looked embarrassed, hesitating for a long time before saying, "Didi, could you give me a personal rakhi?"

Arjun’s eyes widened, nearly blurting out ‘impertinent!’

Kabir hurriedly added, "I—I’m used to seeing you every day. Now I’m going south, and I don’t know when I’ll return—"

I smiled, took a protective thread from my wrist, and tied it around Kabir’s wrist myself, my fingers trembling just a little. "Come back safe, Kabir. Don’t forget your Didi."

He caught my eye, his face suddenly serious, and tucked the rakhi carefully into his chest. "The fragrance in your house is different from anywhere else. It’s especially nice."

I thought his nose must be off; I never used incense in my room.

For this southern trip, besides giving him authority to open the storehouse, I had another instruction in mind.

I waited for him to do his job; now, if he said the moon was square, I’d let him.

Kabir left, looking back at every step. Arjun still stood motionless.

"Didi, this is favouritism."

I was curious. "You see me every day at home. You know the scent here best. I’m just fooling that Kabir boy."

He lowered his head and smiled faintly. "So you like to tease people."

Arjun had grown quickly—now a head taller than me.

His sharp face already had a graceful bearing, and when turned sideways, the sunlight outlined elegant lines.

I smiled. "Just teasing others, not you. Come look at this file."

Arjun pursed his lips and smiled, seeming in a much better mood.

The sun slanted through the jaali windows, dust motes swirling around Arjun’s silhouette. I let my fingers linger on the rakhi threads, remembering every Raksha Bandhan when I’d longed for a real brother to tie it for. Now, I was both sister and brother, protector and protected. As Arjun leafed through the accounts with me, I realized how much the weight of tradition pressed on all of us.