Kalki

A sister to top all sisters

Kalki was the eldest of us girls. She was fifteen when I was born. My three other sisters and I adored her.

We grew up like any other children and got into and out of trouble. Kalki never got into trouble. I asked her once why she was so perfect and she smiled at me and said “There is no such thing as perfect.” That didn’t answer my question but I let it go.

My father died when Kalki was born. Between Kalki and my mother we were assured of getting everything we wanted as we grew up.

The years went by as we all got busy with our lives. Kalki remained with our mother.

It was three days before my fortieth birthday when I got the call. “Our mother is dying.” Kalki’s even voice was calm.

A couple of days later, all five girls were by our mother’s bedside. She was weak and fragile but looked beautiful even on her deathbed. “Take care of your sisters,” she whispered as she breathed her last.

We went back to our home which had remained unchanged since we lived there. Mother’s scents floated through the air everywhere.

My heart was filled with sadness. I walked into Kalki’s room without knocking. She would alleviate my grief.

I stopped and gaped at the sight before me.

Seated in a cross-legged position, a luminescence radiated from behind Kalki’s head. She was hovering a few feet above the floor.

“Stop looking at me.” She sounded amused.

“I came into this world to help your family but if one of you see me in my true form, I have to return to whence I came from.”

“You’ll all be fine,” she said in a gentle voice.

Lost for words, I continued to stare at her disappearing form.