Apparently, it is possible to get sick in only 3 seasons of the year: fall, winter and spring. More specifically, only weekdays from 8a.m. to 4p.m. I’m serious. I wasn’t aware this “disease” actually existed until after Aamir started going to school. Aamir suffered with this illness since he started Kindergarten and there’s still no cure for it. Doctors diagnosed this problem as being absent from an educational institution by temporarily simulating a condition of ill health. In layman’s terms: pretending to be sick to skip school.
Despite his odd “illness”, he’s managed to make it this far and he’s graduating high school. In my entire life, I have never admired anyone more than my brother. He’s smart, confident, witty, athletic, creative, and as we all know, a brilliant dancer and a true friend. I’ve talked with him many times not as a younger brother, but as a best friend. He’s stood up for me like an older brother would, and I appreciate him for all that he is. Even though he’s the youngest in our family, we tend to listen to his advice because he’s wise beyond his years. With the exception, of course, of his advice to us about getting him a car.
It’s incredible how much time has passed. I remember the days when he was just a little kid who confused English and Urdu and would use phrases like “Can you saaf my nose” or “Can you pakar this.” I miss how he use to refer to himself in third person: “Aamir ko yeh nahi chahiye, Aamir ko woh chahiye.” I miss coming home from school and having to watch Dragonball Z and play Super Smash Brothers...wait, no...I don’t miss that.
That’s one of the great things about having a sister. I get to share my very limited girly side with someone. Aapa never made me watch Dragonball Z...but we did spend almost an entire year where we would come home every day from school and watch Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
We were only one grade apart in school, so I never had to look for anyone else to hang out with. Yes, I was the annoying little sister that would follow her big sister around in school and sit at the lunch table with all of her friends. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you, Aapa, for never trying to strangle me out of annoyance...except for that one time when I was a baby. Although, I doubt you’d try anything now, with either me or Aamir, since we’re both taller than you.
Vada Pao, even though your height is limited, your intelligence is not. You have a gift to analyze things and put them in a simple black and white perspective. This is one of the reasons you’re such a great teacher. You have an ability to explain things simply and clearly so anyone can understand. You’ve been the tutor in our family for so long, and our lives would be chaotic without you. You’re definitely the true diplomat of our family. You’ve been a role model for both me and Aamir and acted not only as an older sister, but as a parent. For that, the four of us are very thankful. The four of us being Mom, Dad, Aamir and myself...I’m not schizophrenic.
As I said earlier, Aapa and I were only a year apart in school. So we shared and celebrated a lot of the things. We had the same awards days, the same picture days in which we wore the same clothes (thanks to our wonderful mom who tried to pass as twins when we were younger), we shared the day we missed school when Aamir was born. Aamir was born on my 5th birthday. I remember buying a Mickey Mouse birthday card for him because in my mind this was the perfect day to give someone a birthday card...on their actual BIRTH day. I remember saying to my parents he was my birthday gift since he was born on my birthday. I remember all the times we celebrated our birthday together and had two birthday cakes. I also remember my 13th and his 8th birthday when he took my present, my GameBoy Color.
I’ve been lucky enough to share and celebrate the most important days of my life with either Aamir or Aapa, and I’m glad there’s finally a day where I get to celebrate the both of them together. On this occasion I would like to publicly state that: Aapa, I forgive you for trying to strangle me when I was a baby and Aamir I forgive you for taking my GameBoy. I’m very proud of both you and feel very lucky for having both of you in my life.
Congratulations Aamir for graduating from High School and congratulations Aapa for graduating from Graduate School.
I love you both.
