An Open Letter To My Elder Brother

To Bhai,

I thought of writing a letter to you yesterday when we had a conversation on call. Writing a letter, partly because I haven't done that in a long time and also because that is just how I am able to express myself better. For you, going through this might prove to be a little surprising, the reason being I don't do this often. Attempting to encapsulate your importance in my life through this letter, this could neither be routine nor banal, just hoping for it to be special to you.

There have been times when I wanted Dad to forget his role of being my father and just be my best friend for a while. Unfortunately, you do not always get what you want. There are times when you wish to pour your heart out and not be judged for it or just wish for a person to listen to you, with no suggestions, instructions or comments in return. 

Thank you for being that person. 

I know you've already sailed through the phases of life that I am trying to crawl through, managed things on your own and struggled your way to success. But that is not what I admire you for. I admire you for listening to me, for understanding that I am unable to handle life the way you did and for letting me have the liberty to make mistakes. I admire you for understanding those mistakes. 

You have been the friend I was looking for in my father. I cannot go and tell Dad about the first time I bunked school because I know his fatherhood will overpower his sense of understanding. I cannot tell my mother either because I obviously do wish to get scolded. And for some strange reason, it is very important for me to tell it to somebody. 

Thank you for being that somebody. 

At times, I have thought of taking risks. I have thought doing things which clearly do not guarantee a secure career path for me in the future. I wanted a person to understand my feelings and to let me have the freedom of taking that risk. A person who will believe in my actions more than I do and the one who will motivate me to strive when I decide to give up.

Thank you for being that person.

And sometimes, I just wanted somebody to keep a check on me. To bring me back when I feel lost, to check on my progress, to check if I am fine. At some point or the other, we all need somebody who wants us to do better, to be better and manages to get his message through by not shouting or scolding us but by his perfectly timed, on-the-point one-liners which shake us back to work. 

You have been that person to me.

I don't know if all the young boys feel the same way for their elder brothers but I am very sure that the younger sisters do. 

Thank you for being the best boy in our lives!