13/05/2026
The Repair of Relationship
बिगड़े को संवारे बिना और रूठे को मनाये बिना ज़िंदगी की गाड़ी खूबसूरती से नहीं चलती
The scent of summer vacations always brings back a very specific memory. I was a young girl, visiting my Nani with my little sister for our two-month break. The air was filled with excitement because Nani was taking us shopping. In the rush of leaving, Nani’s suit got caught in the door and a small thread came undone—the fabric frayed slightly.
Nani just smiled and said, "Koi baat nahi, we will repair it when we get back," and off we went to the bustling market.
As we walked through the vibrant stalls, Nani showered us with love, picking out beautiful dresses for both of us. Seeing her torn suit against the backdrop of all the new things she was buying for us, I looked up with a child's pure concern and said,
"Nani, let’s buy a new suit for you too! Look, yours is frayed and torn."
Nani stopped. She placed her warm, gentle hand on my head, looked into my eyes, and spoke words that would one day become the compass of my life:
"Beta ji, if a suit gets frayed (udhar jaye), we must repair (rafu) it. And if a relationship gets frayed, we must mend it by making peace. If we don't learn to 'rafa' our bonds, life simply cannot move forward.
At that tender age, I understood the words but didn't yet know the weight of the wisdom. Nani was teaching us that in the journey of life, 'Ego' (Ahankar)** is like a snag in the door—it tears things apart. But 'Apnapan'is the needle and thread that keeps the fabric of our lives whole.
She taught me that if someone is upset, put aside your pride and mollify them. If you are the one hurt and they come to you, be gracious and forgive. Because just like that small tear in her suit would have eventually ruined the whole garment if ignored, a tiny grudge, if not mended with love, can destroy a beautiful relationship.
