Our Daddy & His Son

"I am never ever going to play with daddy and his son."

I was talking angrily to myself as I stormed towards the dining table. In my irritation of another defeat at tennis court, I didn't realize my mother was already seated there, waiting for us to join breakfast. She gave me a stern look and asked, "Is this a way of speaking?" And I immediately realized my mistake. From the corner of my eyes I could see my father and elder brother trying hard to control their laughter. All of us knew that once again I had put my foot in the mouth by referring to my elder brother as "daddy's son".

My mother usually is a figure of poise and grace. She is also a strict disciplinarian. But fortunately or unfortunately I also have my father's blood running in my veins. And thus time and again his free spiritedness takes over. 

My elder brother is exactly like my father, except in his features, which he has taken from our mother. A perfect combination of the two, he is handsome, suave, charismatic, successful, confident. A complete charmer. 

I am not too bad myself. The only difference being that they know when and how to rein in their horses. And thus seldom get in trouble with mother. 

I quietly sat down on the table, my father and elder brother joining me. My mother was still upset with me for what she calls my 'inappropriate behavior'. In any other house this would have been nothing out of normal. After all, everyone knows about dad's bias towards 'his son'.

Even 'his son' knows it, and in some weak emotional moments, has accepted it. But like most obedient sons, he takes it as his moral responsibility to live up to dad's expectations. And that is why every time we fight, I call him 'daddy's son'. 

I know he doesn't mind me saying it. And dad loves it. But not my mother. She has always insisted that for her and our father, both the kids are equally important. I have no reason, not to believe her. But there is no fun in saying it. Isn't it? ;-)

As we settled for breakfast, my mother turned her gaze away from me and on my brother. And ah! what a relief it was.  

"Your father mentioned that you want us to meet someone." She asked my brother in a calm voice. 

Now this is serious. This is very serious. I could hear my heart pounding heavily. My mother was referring to my brother's marriage. And I know everything. I know the girl. 

She is a perfect match for my brother. A vibrant girl, intelligent and independent. A perfect match for the perfect guy. I had met her the first time, when she had just joined my brother's office. And even then I could spot love sparkling in my darling brother's eyes. 

I know for a fact that my brother has discussed this with daddy at length. And also that dad approves of it. 

However, there is one problem. This perfect girl has a not-so-perfect past. She has been through a bad marriage and an uglier divorce. 

My mother has always cherished and nurtured her relations with lots of love and care. I have seen her put in her heart and soul for her own marriage. Even our extended family and friends have always got their due love and respect. Probably that is the reason for her objections to my calling my brother as 'daddy's son'. And that is why we are scared that mom may not be happy with the 'divorce' bit. 

All these and many more thoughts started running in my head after my mother asked her question. I looked at my brother. He was as calm and composed as mom. And then very confidently he uttered the name.  

There was complete silence in the room.  Three pair of eyes were stuck at one blank face. My mother was looking at her empty plate. And when she did look up, tears rolled down her cheeks. 

My heart sank. I looked at my brother. He was equally disturbed. He was all set with his list of reasons and arguments. All set for a heated debate. But tears, he was not prepared for them. And thus sat there struggling to find words. 

It wasn't long before my mother spoke again. "I know what you are thinking. But there is something you don't know.

Twenty seven years ago your father, much against the wishes of his family, married a girl with a troubled past. And that is how I came into this house. 

The only difference is that I came with a ten-month old son."

Silence fell.

That day none of us spoke. 

It has been three years since that day. My brother is now happily married with the girl he loved. And all of us are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. 

I still tease him as 'daddy's son'. And nobody minds it.