Designer Diary: Strange relationships, writes Ashley Rebello

This Raksha Bandhan, my sister sent me a message from the US (and that’s it!) and I send a message from my end, too. Every year, I make it a point to go to Alvira’s for lunch and to get a rakhi tied. But this year, the Khan-daan was at Arpita’s — as were all the Bhais.

And on seeing what the girls got (money in abundance, if you have to know), I went up to Sohail and said, ‘I also want to tie you a rakhi’. To that, he said, ‘But you are not my sister’. So, I said, ‘If that’s the kind of money I am getting from you and Salman, I don’t mind being your sister, brother, aunt, uncle... anything.’ All I ended up with was a Being Human bracelet. 

But then, relationships are strange and some don’t even have a name. For example, I keep flying to Delhi at the drop of a hat to meet my soulmate Aruna. This time around, because she’s having an exhibition at The Habitat Centre. Another person I can drop everything to be with is Waluscha because I know when she needs me the most. Also, I will flip backwards if Alvira or Salman or even his mom need me for anything. Thus, I don’t know what to make of any relationship I have with them, but yet, they all seem an integral part of my life. 

I did have these soulmate-like friendships with some of the heroines, but I guess their better halves came in and that’s it! It all goes for a toss just like that, and suddenly nothing matters anymore. And like they change their clothes, they change friends, discarding what isn’t in fashion... on to the next happening person. On the other hand, I believe in classics — be it friends or clothes. Some things are just for keeps.