I was restless the entire Monday. Yesterday was Rakshabandhan and I had missed visiting the Prison. My brain was ready with quick excuse stories — I was busy. It was a six day work week. I too am human and can make mistakes. But, amidst the excuses, I was reminded of the promise I have made to my Guru – “No games. No stories. Only truth. Always tell the truth – first to yourself. “

And the truth was — it had simply skipped my mind that it was Rakshabandhan. It was hurting, because I had promised the Nambardar that I will come visit him on the Rakshabandhan day. The knowing that he is in the prison since last 15 years and in past few years no one from his family has visited him was making my promise more painful. I am the only visitor he has now.

Would he have waited? I was overthinking, I knew.

By evening, I was feeling slightly better, because the day was about to end, and I was ready with my rakhi— to visit the prison on Tuesday morning. I will apologize to him.

Next day, as I visited him and tied a rakhi on his wrist, he very quietly said that he had waited the whole day for me on the Rakshabandhan day. He touched my feet to seek blessings from his elder sister. As a gift, he gave me an envelope. I sensed that it had some Rupee notes.

“I hope it’s not too much, “to my question, he shook his head smiling shyly.

I kept the envelope in my bag and forgot about it.

Next day, I remembered to open it. As I was trying to process them I realized that the corners of my eyes are moist.

I envelope has five 500 rupee notes – two thousand five hundred rupees. My brother, who earns some money working in the Jailer office, had given me a gift that I would remember for the rest of my life. I had many emotions in that instant. It is such a precious gift and I have no words to express how I feel, but it did bring some tears – good tears.

— R

** Rakshabandhan is a festival that celebrates sister-brother love. Sisters apply tilak and tie a sacred thread or amulet around her brother’s wrist to symbolically protect them from all evil. And the brother offers her gifts, which shows his commitment towards her well-being.