Sisterly bond
Rukshi Fernando Seneviratne (RFS) and Rangi Fernando (RF) recall their fun teenage years and that sisterly bond
Q: What was it like growing up together?
RF: It was pretty normal. I was always the studious one while Rukshi leaned more towards the arts – she was always the artistic and baking one!
Q: Did either of you feel that one basked more in the limelight than the other?
RFS: I guess this was only because I was more into art and design, and so perhaps people had a tendency to know me a little better. Rangi was more on the shy side but that’s obviously not the case anymore.
RF: I was very shy and never danced. But I used to go to class and watch akki dance. I didn’t really want the spotlight because it had gone towards Rukshi anyway.
Q: Rukshi, let’s talk about your relationship. How did you and Binara meet?
RFS: Actually, we met twice. And we both worked at MAS though we didn’t meet there. We met at a mutual friend’s party instead, and realised we both worked at MAS. Since MAS is a huge corporate and we weren’t from the same field, we had no idea about each other.
Soon after that party, he transferred to the Ratmalana section where I worked so we continued meeting and it eventually transitioned from friendship into something more.
Q: What about sibling intuition – Rangi, what was your first impression of Binara?
RF: To be very honest, the first time I met him, I didn’t know he was Rukshi’s boyfriend. I met him as her friend because she took our family to a wedding at a hotel where he was also present – that was a strategic move!
She brought him over and said: “Oh hey, this is Binara.” I don’t think they were together or anything at that time.
But to answer your question, usually when you meet someone and don’t like that person, you get a distinct vibe off them. But in the case of Binara, it has always been positive. He is extremely easygoing and definitely the most patient person I’ve ever met.
I was very shy and never danced but I used to go to class and watch akki dance Rangi Fernando
Q: Which of you is more daddy’s girl? RF/RFS: Both of us!
Q: Most likely mummy’s girl?
RFS: We are more daddy’s girls because he says ‘yes’ to everything we ask!
RF: When it comes to yoga, ammi and I have this different sort of relationship because she’s also a yoga teacher. I feel like I’m more ammi’s girl now.