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Sisters, by Saleem Peeradina, “One, not quite ten, but ahead of the other, younger, whose five plus will never catch up, with the big one’s lead, no matter how good she acts., or how hard she cheats……..”, , “Like any disadvantaged species, she has turned the handicap, in her favour: she’s bolder,, sneakier, sweeter than honey,, obeyer of commands, underminer of rules,, producer of tears, yeller, complete”, , “Turnaround. The older one gets, the tough end of it. Most times, blames end up in her sullen face., Fighting back, she argues, attacks, me for talk her the way all parents”, , “At all times have tried explaining, to the elder child. living up

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to her inheritance, she blazes back, at moralizing. On bad days, I shout her down, immediately, regretting my words.”, , “But even as she retreats, into simmering silence, she stands her ground, knowing me to be unfair. Secretly,, I rejoice at the lesson never intended, but so well learnt: how to overcome, fathers, real and imaginary.”