Mini was disappointed. Inspite of praying so hard, her prayers were not answered. She decided to ask her Dadi about this. After all, she was the one who had instilled so much faith in Mini and strengthened it by regaling her with stories of bravery and benevolence of all the Gods she knew, night after night.
 "Dadi", she said accusingly, "You lied. God doesn't always answer our prayers. At least He didn't pay any heed to mine. See, Bhaiya has been offered admission and scholarship in not one but four places abroad. I prayed so hard every single day and night that he shouldn't. But see what happened! Tears welled up in her eyes. Mini's grandmother hugged her and said, "That's because Rohan prayed harder to get that admission. He has worked so hard for it and deserved to get what he worked for. Moreover, your prayers were thwarting for someone else's wishes and prospects. So, how could God listen to you?" Mini didn't seem fully convinced. All she wanted was her brother to stay back and be with her forever. But now, he would be on the other side of the world, far away from her. She would miss him terribly.
            No one quite understood her predicament. She was all of nine years with no friends in the new neighbourhood or the new school she had been recently admitted to. Ever since they had shifted to Bangalore, she was kind of lost. And now her fifteen year old brother too was going away.
            Inspite of the new environment, she had never complained as she enjoyed her brother's company thoroughly. Back in Pune, soon after he had taught her cycling, they would go out on long bike rides with the wind rushing against their faces at the break of dawn. He would even take her for movies and buy her many goodies and gifts. She was often envied by most of her friends and classmates for not just having a brother much older to her, but also for having a brother sweet enough to escort her around, help her in her studies and spend some real fun times with her. Wiping her tears and running nose while going out into the garden, she realized that life would never be the same for her anymore, two months hence.
            Dinner that night was unlike usual dinner times, when Mini used to be at her chirpiest best with her mother constantly asking her to talk less and eat more.
 She was unusually quiet and morose and all attempts by Rohan and their Dad failed to elicit any response from her. She quickly finished her dinner, got up and wished everyone 'Good Night' and retired to her room.
 She yelled out to her mom, "Ma, please don't wake me up in the morning. I want to sleep till late. Rohan yelled back, "tomorrow is Sunday. Don't you want to go cycling?" Mini didn't even bother to reply.
 The sooner she got used to be without his company, the better, she thought. That night, Mini sobbed herself to sleep.
            When this mood of Mini's continued over the next week, her parents and grandmother started getting worried. They tried and failed to raise her spirits and divert her attention from talks of Rohan's departure. Rohan was greatly upset and worried too. He still looked upon Mini as his little baby sister and badly wanted to ease her disappointment. He just had to think of some way to cheer her up, he decided.
       Then early one Saturday morning, Mini was rudely woken up by a persistent knock on the door. She looked towards her alarm. It was only 8:00 a.m. "Please don't wake me up and leave me alone", she cried out, pulling her quilt over her face. But the knocking continued even more stubbornly. Giving up, she got up reluctantly and opened the door of her room. There was no one outside. Irritated, when she was just about to shut the door, something on the floor caught her attention.
            It was a small cane basket with a big red satin bow tied to its handle. In it was a small soft rug in which was a nestled the cutest little pup that Mini had ever set eyes on – a Golden Retriever. She yelled out in delight and excitement, frightening the creature to yelp out in fear. She caught sight of her brother hidden behind the pillar near the dining table. She ran over to give him a nice, big affectionate hug.
            "Your new companion", declared Rohan. He'll run with you while cycling and play with you. Look after it well so that it grows big enough to protect you. And, you promise to keep smiling and mail me regularly to update me on all the fun you two guys will have together, Ok?
"Sure"' answered Mini. And you promise to send me gifts very often and also to return as soon as you finish studying. For, however much I enjoy this pup's company I can't possibly tie a rakhi round his paw, can I?"
            "I guess not. He would look ridiculous and would probably chew up the rakhi," laughed Rohan. "Moreover, I wouldn't want anybody to ever take my place as my darling Mini's brother."
The three of them then, Rohan, Mini and the little pup (yet unnamed) huddled close to form a pretty picture together.