An ode to my brother

My brother recently celebrated (or maybe not) his 22'nd birthday and I realized that I haven't ever written about him. So here goes.

He's been the kind who was always troublesome. Well, to me anyways. He would pick fights with me, trouble me no end, take sides against me and in general be a royal pain in the ass. This was back when we were kids. All this changed when we both went off to college.

I guess I matured first - I had a year's headstart. He followed soon though. He went to college, didn't have the easiest of times there (IMO anyways) but he came out better for it. I guess the distance between the two of us (not seeing each other everyday) helped with the process of not fighting, and having shit to talk about when we did, too.

Anyways, towards the last year of my college and his last two years, we became kinda close - maybe for the first time. Various things bound us - our complains about our parents, our choice in women, discussions about politics, discussions about classes, looking for a job, etc. etc. We used to sit and talk on the phone for hours - like chicks or some shit, and not feel sorry for it (well, at-least I didn't feel sorry). Even when he came and lived with me for a couple of months after finishing up school, there were hardly any times when we fought. We were like the picture postcard of a happy family - one who talked, one who enjoyed each other's company, one who quarreled but it let it go soon, one who liked to eat the same things and the list goes on. Suffice it to say, we both had a good time during those 2 months.

All this is not to say that we haven't had our differences over this period. I was hugely disappointed with my trip to his college before I flew out to India. I wanted it to be memorable (given that I didn't know if/when I would come back) which it didn't end up being (and I mostly blame him for it). We also disagreed over our emotions for our parents. This list could go on for a mile, but none of that matters as much - we have overcome all that for the past few years - and I think we will keep doing so for the next few too (what happens beyond that is anybody's guess).

When I was younger, I used to tell my folks that I wish I didn't have a younger brother, or that I wish I had a sister, or that I wish they had waited longer before having a second child, and I used to believe all what I said back then, too. However, I would not change what I have right now, for the world (though I would still like to have a sister). He has taught me innumerable things, he has guided me in innumerable ways and him being around has pleased me in unmeasurable quantities. So, Mon frère, live a long and happy life - and I hope we be just as good friends in our twilight years, as we are now. Happy Birthday.