Two Mothers and Two Fathers

Since the time Yog was born, two years ago, life has been more or less revolving around him. Food, vaccinations, clothes, toys and even hospitals have been predominantly focused on his requirements. Toyna, eight at the time when Yog was born, was used to being the Princess of the house but easily shifted into the backseat. Over these years, we have been accustomed to Yog falling sick and the entire household including Toyna, running around him, trying anything to make him feel better.

Today, after a long long time, the tables were turned. Toyna fell sick; sick enough for me to panic a little and rush her to the hospital. The doctor checked her out, wrote his prescriptions, and sent us back home. As we entered the house, Yog was super excited to see his Akka (elder sister) back. However, the excitement turned into confusion as he saw his Akka crying and shivering in pain. It was for the first time in his life that he saw his Akka weak and incapable of taking care of him. His brow tightened and his eyes narrowed a little as he tried to fathom, what in the world could possibly be wrong. Observing him, I was a little perplexed at how he would react to all this. I honestly did not have time handle him right now. I just hoped he would get distracted soon and leave me alone to tend to Toyna. I was mistaken.

Within a minute of Toyna settling down on the living room couch, Yog took charge. He rushed to the refrigerator and took out a Yogurt. Then he scurried to the spoon stand, picked a spoon and handed the Yogurt with the spoon to Akka, indicating that she should eat it. Toyna barely aware of her surroundings didn’t respond to his gesture. Undeterred, he left the yogurt on the table and went ahead to extract a heavy juice tetra pack from the refrigerator. Toyna refused this as well and he realized that his Akka didn’t want anything to eat or drink. He abandoned the juice and the yogurt and softly came and stood guard by Toynas side. He held on to her arm to comfort her, trying to tell her that he was there beside her and she should not worry about a thing.

Slowly I helped Toyna gather herself and climb the steps up to her bedroom. Without a word, Yog followed both of us into the room and tried his best to cheer his Akka with toys, hugs and adorable smiles. But in spite of his best efforts, he could do little to make Toyna feel any better. Disappointed, he left the room, through the open door.

Two seconds, after he was gone, Toyna opened her eyes with a startle, as if something was wrong. She quickly enquired, “Where is Yog??”, to make sure someone was still watching over him. My eyes welled up with tears. All along, I was thinking that she was barely aware of him being around. But she was not only aware of his presence but worried about his well being, even when she herself was not feeling well. Yog too, had only disappeared to fetch some medicines for Toyna. He ran back inside the room holding a Vicks bottle in his hand. His sense of purpose as he went in and out of the room, amazed me. He clearly understood Toyna needed help and he was very sure on how he could help. The rest of the day, went about on the same note. He would get water, juice, toys, medicines and above all, his love to make sure that his Akka felt better.

I have always known the love and concern that Toyna shares for Yog. It is evident in the smallest of things that she does for him. But to see the same love and concern reciprocated by a two year old Yog, melted my heart away. He can barely talk, leave alone manage his own basic needs of food, water and sleep. But when it came to his Akka, he knew exactly what to do.  I am not sure when and how this bond developed. But, I just pray that this grows like this into the future. Yog is blessed to have a second mother in Toyna, and now I am pretty sure that Toyna is blessed to have a second father in Yog.