I remember when Iti was a kid, she used to have a wart in her right hand where she wore a bracelet. It was harmless and just a cosemtic abberation. No one gave a second thought about this quiet existence on her wrist. Gradually it became quite large – so much that it became very noticeable. Iti never spoke about it but somehow she was disturbed by it.

One day, when we were fighting, that wart loosened and started dangling from her skin, blood started dripping due to an unconscious hit by my hand. I had no intentions to hurt her. Generally, we never fought, but as kids we engaged in some sweet sibling sabre-rattling. Iti cried a lot. She did not stop. I was worried that if Maa notices it, she would scold me. She expected me to behave more maturely as an elder brother.

As Iti sobbed, I asked pacifying her “Hey, this wart made your beautiful hand look so ugly? How much money do we have to go to the doctor?”. I thought this would make Iti stop crying and forget about the momentary pain. But nothing could stop her sobbing. Yet, she didn’t say anything to Maa. Unknown to Iti, it was torn off and she was fine in a few hours.

The very next morning I said, “When I was tying Rakhi on your hand, I noticed the wart and it was an unpleasant sight. I felt bad for you.” Iti also was back to normal and we were engrossed in our journey of struggle, unmaking and making.

At times in life, we don’t know what’s the best possible way or solution. That is the time when one should go zen, relax and let things happen. Sometimes we anticipate the pain, so much that it becomes suffering. It is always better to accept what comes to you in life, make the best of out of it, and not forget to do good to others.