Family isn’t just about blood
When Gurpreet Kaur Wasi’s 18-yearold daughter Ruhi went to Noida to spend a day with her friend Amisha, Gurpreet had no idea that she would return only after seven weeks. With the sudden lockdown, Noida borders were sealed and her parents could not bring her back home.
The uncertainty of the situation set in distress and the young girl missed her parents and her younger brother Rayyan terribly. The fact that both her parents contracted Covid-19 made her even more frightened.
During video calls that would last for hours, Gurpreet would tell her child to stay calm and positive. “It was tough in the beginning but Ruhi soon adapted to the new situation. This unprecedented phase transformed her into a self reliant, responsible person and also gave her an extended family – the Sirohis,” says Gurpreet.
Madhu Sirohi, Amisha’s mum, made sure that Ruhi didn’t sulk. She painstakingly planned movie nights and ’70s inspired Bollywood themed parties for the girls. Ruhi also learnt to make breakfast, took turns in gardening, cleaning and feeding the strays. The girl even gave Arvind Sirohi, her friend Amisha’s dad, a fab hair cut!
“These two months were an eye opener. I realised that the simplest things in life matter the most. I also learnt to take on responsibilities for chores. I was able to gather all the essential life skills for my college life ahead,” says Ruhi.
Ruhi, Amisha and her sister Ashita kept the Sirohi house bustling with lively conversations. “It was great to get to know our daughter’s friend. We had just heard of Ruhi or seen her flitting in and out of the house with our child. We spoke on every national and international issue debating it threadbare,” says Arvind Sirohi.
Sirohi is proud of the thinking, opinionated and empathetic young women that these children are. “They have a world view and a great attitude that helped tide over the tough phase,” he says.
Finally united with her family, Ruhi can’t stop missing the Sirohis. Bonds like these go beyond blood!