Chapter-I
I was the youngest of three daughters. I was born and raised in Kathmandu, for the most part.
I have memories. But, very few of both my older sisters, together. And, very few of my middle-sister- who didn't grow up to see the wonders of the world or any of us.
My mom keeps telling me that I was one of those kids who was always sick until I turned 5. I remember my sisters carrying me by my arms and legs. I don't remember the context but, I remember them doing that outside the apartment, on the streets. That is one of the very few early memories I still carry with me.
Another one is of my two older sisters fighting-one with the pressure cooker bottom and the other with the top! They were Irish twins. I don't know what their life was before me. But, there are bits and pieces of memories of the two of them I carry with me to this date. I remember there were times they would fight over who would get to play with me. I'm guessing that was a negotiation strategy.
It must have been my 3rd birthday. My sisters decided I deserved a birthday cake. Their idea of a cake was as creative as they could get with the resources available to them. It was pieces of bread stacked against each other and a candle on top! My 3-year-old self was elated.
And, then there are few memories with my middle sister in school. We went to the same school. She seemed to have gained some popularity early on. Maybe, it was her smarts! All I remember is she would buy me candies and Titaura (Nepali candies). And, that was enough for me to like her more than my eldest sister.
I honestly started Chapter-I of my story with my two sisters. Largely because my memory only begins after my sister's death. I have no recollection of my middle sister or my eldest sister from when we three co-existed. It still feels painful to think about it. Painful and unfair. Though, I might have the least right if any, to even talk about pain, compared to my eldest sister and my parents. I don't remember anything. I witnessed her get crushed by a truck right in front of my eyes but, I don't remember any of it. I don't know if it was my young age or a simple coping mechanism. We will never know.
However, not a day goes by where I don't wish that she was here with us. At least my memories would have had an amazing, cool, and nerdy character in them! And, I'd have had another sister I could lean on.
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