"Shoe on the other foot"

“My little angel is growing up” Aruna thought as she watched her younger daughter. Ridhi was sitting with her knees together in a tight short skirt, exactly how Sidhi sits, her elder sister.
Ridhi was fond of her; she tries to be like her in everything. May it be mannerisms or gestures. Sidhi was like sun and stars for Ridhi.
Though Aruna can't deny the fact that Ridhi is not a simple child, she was different, slow in learning and also sensitive. Growing her wasn't an easy task; Aruna and her husband has put lot of efforts to keep her involved just like normal children.
Aruna was a good mother; she has always made it a point to make Ridhi comfortable, whatever it takes.
With each passing year the differences between Ridhi and sidhi grew more. Sidhi was growing and maturing, she was in her beautiful teenage; it’s never easy to convince a child at such an age. Then she decided to talk to Ridhi, “Dear Ridhi, your sister is grown up now, she has her set of work, she has different friends; you need to give her space baby. Else she will get upset on you and then you both end up fighting on something that is not even worth” Aruna knew that Sidhi was getting troubled by the constant presence of Ridhi; she was constantly peeping in Ridhi's matter. She keeps complaining about Sidhi's behaviour that she doesn't spend time with her now, she often shouts on her.
Ridhi was emotional child, her the world revolves around her sister. The mere reason was, she had no friends, she was not going to school, and she had learning disabilities which made Aruna thought of other options such as open schooling. The biggest problem was she had no life outside her family; all she had was her sister.
Sidhi was a sensible girl, but she had her life too; college, friends, commitments. It wasn't intentional what Sidhi was doing, but it was as per situation and her crucial age. Anyone in that phase would behave the same way as Sidhi was doing, it was natural.
Aruna tried to explain Ridhi lot of times “Its embarrassing baby, if you are going to follow Sidhi everywhere. She won’t like it at all.”
Ridhi had no choice, no options, no friends; all she had was Sidhi. She had to follow her, be like her, and she had learned everything from her. The caring nature she has was also transfered from Sidhi to her, in childhood she was not just a sister but her mother at times, she has helped her in everything. So now Ridhi was not able to make out, why is Sidhi behaving in such strange way when she knew she has got all this from her elder sister only.
Earlier Sidhi use to play with her, get her sweets, buy her everything she demands even when Aruna was against it. She would hide her sins and take all the blames on herself. Things have changed drastically for Ridhi, though Sidhi had no idea what she was going through.
Repeatedly when Aruna forced her to stay away from Sidhi she decided to walk away. She had no clue, what could be done with her life. She was not that intelligent enough to decide. It was always Sidhi who has helped her to find a way, but now she is not by her side. These sisters were inseparable before Sidhi turned eighteen.

Aruna got scared looking at this situation and discussed it with her husband. He smiled and said “they will grow out of it, and one day you will be amazed to see that shoe will be on the other foot. Though Ridhi is little different, but she is not mentally handicapped. She knows how to make friends and find her way. I am sure she will come out of it soon and will be as cheerful as Sidhi.”
Sidhi had lot of free time; she tried to find happiness and kept herself busy on social networking site. She made friends, because that was the only place where she could find someone to talk to. It was not only about friends, but also cousins and other family members. She was in constant touch with everyone.
This made Ridhi more aware about life, family, difficulties; since she talks to different people with different outlook. It never bothered her whether the person she was talking was known to her or not. She just kept herself busy, whoever is available to chat, she into the conversation.
That was the beauty of her, the innocence that never asked her to judge people, she never got tired, she was never worried why people don't respond. All her focus was to chat, make friends and keep herself occupied so that she doesn't have to think about her elder sister's behaviour.
Just when all this was happening, new achievement in Sidhi's life was Amar, his friend, someone she adored and spends time with. She often invites him at home. With this Ridhi felt that she was more ignored and once again started to behaving insanely.
“Mom why is Amar coming to our house every now and then, why is he behind my sister, is he trying to snatch her away. I just hate him. He is so yuckkk” Aruna asked her to lower down her voice but she was in no mood to listen and made it a point that Sidhi hear it.
“Mom, what’s the problem with Ridhi, why is she always snooping around. She has started to behave like a pest.”
Now it's about Amar, Sidhi could no way keep a calm. She started to argue. Aruna realised it’s important to keep Ridhi occupied, else she won't let Sidhi live in peace. Though it wasn't either of their faults but how can Aruna make them understand that they both are behaving like psychopaths.
She discussed the point with her husband and decided to put Ridhi in a dancing school, which keeps her occupied as well help her to make friends. Moreover, Aruna was worried about her habit of being on computer all the time and chatting with random people.
Just when Aruna was busy discussing the matter she heard a loud noise. “Mom, look what your darling daughter has done, she dropped down my favourite perfume bottle.” Aruna rushed to Sidhi's room. She saw Ridhi standing and crying and Sidhi in full annoyance.
“Ridhi you move to your room right away without saying a word” Aruna said in anger.
“Sidhi, what’s wrong with you, it’s just a perfume. Listen dear, Ridhi adores you way too much. She always wanted to be like you. You are her role model.” Aruna explains.
“Mom can you please stop taking her side every now and then. I am your daughter too; just because she is younger doesn’t mean she can do all crap and still can escape.” Sidhi shouted
“No, it’s not like that. She is having a difficult time adjusting. She has always been around you. So now when she sees you being busy with other things or people she gets hurt and out of all that she behaves this way.” Aruna tried to sooth Sidhi.
“Listen mom, I am going to close my door henceforth” Sidhi said.

And so she did. The first time Ridhi saw the door locked, she stood with confused expression and the she realised that it was for her, to keep her out; she burst into tears and ran to her mother’s room. Aruna held her gently, letting her to calm down on her own. When Ridhi was tried crying she said gently” Darling your sister needs privacy, just let her be!”

“Mom, why is Amar allowed inside her room, why is he allowed to read her personal stuff? What have I done? I think I have more rights than him. He is just a friend whereas I am her sister.”

“But he is a good friend dear” Aruna replied with a hidden smile.

Few months went by; Ridhi got occupied with her dance classes, social networking chat and her studies. She was having less time to talk and pay attention to what Sidhi is doing. She was always surrounded with friends, though she was little slow but then her caring nature won her many good friends. It was always that she wasn’t exposed to the outer world because of her disabilities; her mother knew that once she is out, she will win hearts.

Sidhi never showed it, but she often misses her sister’s mess up. One day, she came home and saw Ridhi’s bedroom locked she stared at the door for few minutes and looked as confused as her sister once was. She rushed to her mother’s room where her parents were busy watching a movie. “Mom, Ridhi has locked her bedroom door…. Why?”

Her parents started to laugh out loud, and then it struck her hard! The shoe was finally on the other foot. They said gently “It’s her time now, just the way few months back it was yours.”