RADS ENGAGEMENT – POST SCRIPT

The photos are here, the angry relatives who were not invited have fumed themselves out of their displeasure and Rads’ mehendi has begun to fade. I can still not believe she is engaged. It comes as a surprise in little things. Like watching her talking over the phone with Vicky several times a day in the presence of family and realizing that her relationship is now, in a manner of speaking, legitimate. Which is strange for remaining 5, who are used to the “don’t tell mom” and the “if dad finds out someday” and the “keep it to yourself”. And her calling Vicky’s parents Mom and Dad.

I can clearly remember a fat girl in a uniform, standing under a tree, red with rage at having been kept waiting by the driver after school. Or the girl who threw a tantrum when her parents suggested she use her brother’s books from the previous year instead of buying new ones. It will take some getting used to this new Rads, who is a woman now.

I see her and I am astonished at how easily she has slipped into this new role. She talks about his habits now and quotes him in her conversations. She plans her wedding and discusses how she will build their home in Hyderabad once they are married.

Tomorrow is Rads’ first Karvachauth. She will pray with the married women of my house for her fiancé’s happiness and health.

She has left the 5 of us and has crossed gracefully over to the other side.

It will only be a matter of time before the others follow and this becomes easier to take in but until then and especially while she is here, I will have to consciously remember that my sister is a woman now.