Time Flew by: Weeks, months, years. My sister's interest shifted from games to dancing, painting and other girly activities. I was still probably the same often ending up in the club to share a few rounds with tougher guys. Though we'd find common solace at home playing a round of squash in the Bardali of our home, our conversation ended abruptly somewhere along the way if we were to face each other in public. I would often see her pass by the same table tennis board that she used to devour so much in early childhood while she returned from school. How unusual was it for her only to glance at me and give me a wry smile and walk towards home. But that was the culture we grew up in our society. Deep inside, I wouldn?t want to see her while I was around the neighborhood. The remorse and the guilt that prevailed over me often times when the guys derided her in my presence were unbearable. However, I couldn't do much. I always believed time was a great leveler for everyone. I wasn?t alone in this battle but everyone kept this guilt with themselves I assumed. Even more than that, there was a sheer difference growing between my sister and I as we prospered further in life. ***************** "Oys! You never call us. No one here knows that I have a brother studying in US."These words stirred me from my core. She wasn?t lying. Four years down the road, and I hadn't called her once. She probably called me every other month or so. I never felt the need. It was sometime around last bhai tika she called me again. "Oyss! Ko sanga tika lais yespaali" she asked me. "yespaali!" I motioned. I hadn?t had any bhaitika for the last four years. "k ko yespaali?" I grew slightly annoyed. "hamro ta yaha bhai cha euta" she explained. "ta pani bhako bhaye ramro hunthyo" I swallowed very hard Even back in Nepal, though I had almost four people including my cousin to put bhai tika on me, I would never be the only guy sitting on the chakati there'd always be some other dai or bhai besides me. I used to enjoy that then, but now I was slightly jealous. I will try to call sometime I promised her. The next time I heard from her was the disappointment she expressed for not having anyone from our family attending her graduation. I didn't know how mature and cogent my sister had grown up to be. I had thought of sending her a graduation present, yet again, I was too busy for my family. Yet again, I wasn't sure whether to call her and congratulate her. Moments just passed by. Yet, she sent an email to me explaining how grateful she was that I was her brother and that when she closed her eyes during the graduating ceremony she remembered me and how I had helped her throughout her life in one way or the other. My sister was not much of an email person, but her email was so touchy that my eyes couldn't skip few parched sprinkles ******************** Finally, I decided to call her up. I had to tell her about all the stuff that had happened over the years. How much I have missed her in US all these years. I had to tell her how much I have missed bhai tika and all the other holiday and festive seasons, How much I enjoyed playing squash in bardali or just watching a movie with her. How much I enjoyed her ridiculing me and the little games we used to play during news time that would even bring laughter to our dad's face. How right she'd been every time when she told me that my weakness was girls and not to fall for their promises and fake assurances. I had so much to tell her. Finally the call went through. I really wanted to congratulate her the foremost. She'd been the first one among us siblings to get a real job. "Makurrrii! I was ecstatic to hear her voice. "Oh oyss! Kaha baata aja? Laa! Ma ta kaam ma chu. She sounded nervous. I can?t talk right now". She hung up the phone. Suddenly, a cold chill ran over my body and Laloo's words echoed from the past : "ahile yesto milchau. Pachi bolne fursad ni hudaina!"I wish I could laugh at him again.