Siblings—whether you love them or hate them, you can’t do without them!

No matter how much they annoy you, siblings are always by your side, whether you like it or not! Here are some beautiful sibling stories that’ll definitely make you miss your siblings!
relatable stories | sibling | family | love | Humans of Bombay

“My mom told me that when I was 2, I would pray for a younger brother every single day. When Varun was finally born, I was so happy! When I started going to school, he would wait for me to come home and only then have lunch. We would eat out of the same plate!

Like any other siblings we fought a lot - over clothes, the cycle and who gets to bat while playing cricket. We would beat each other up, but these fights also brought us closer. We’ve shared a lot of secrets too. Once I found out that he had bunked class and gone for a movie, and when my mum spoke about his ‘extra class’ I just went along with it. I used this to blackmail him but of course, I never actually told on him.

We’ve grown up this way; fighting but also supporting one another. A couple weeks after my wedding, he got into an accident with a friend. I got the call at 3am and panicked. Thankfully, he wasn’t injured...but his friend passed away. It was a huge shock for him, and it took a long time for him to move past the trauma. I tried to make sure he was taking care of himself. He stayed with me and my husband for a while, and we did our best to help him move on.

Only a few months after that incident, I got a stomach infection. It kept getting worse and ultimately I was diagnosed with a kidney disease, which was already in its last stage so the only thing I could do was start living a healthier lifestyle.

Six years later, I needed a transplant. Nobody in my family matched with my blood type - except my brother. Initially I refused, I couldn’t let my younger brother donate his kidney to me. Not when I was supposed to be the one protecting him! But he went to the doctor on his own and said, ‘I’m doing it.’

I tried talking him out of it but he was set on his decision. So on his birthday, a few days before the surgery, we decided to go all out. We partied the whole day and ate lots of pizza. On the day of the surgery we were taken to the operating theatre together. When I woke up, my mind was foggy but my first thought was, ‘Is Varun okay?’ I didn’t rest until they told me the transplant had gone well and he was fine.

Our bond has only grown since then. He works in the hospitality sector and travels a lot, but he always finds time to come down and meet me. When our parents passed away, we took on the role of parents for each other. Time and again he tells me that dad would’ve been proud of me. So here we are...from fighting with each other to fighting for each other. I guess it’s a sibling thing!”

siblings | relatable stories | love | family | Humans of Bombay

“During my MBBS, I started getting hot flashes, bruises and nose bleeds. When the biopsy results came, we were all devastated–I was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. But it hit my sister Pradnya differently. She’d never seen her elder sister so frail. She was even more upset when I required a transplant donor and her marrow didn’t match mine. The doctor had mentioned that siblings are the ideal donors– she felt she‘d let me down. But I found a donor and had a successful transplant.

Over the next few months, my immunity dropped–so I had to go on a liquid diet. I could only eat curd rice. Pradnya knew how much I loved momos– they were our favourite. So when I had to give them up, she did too. She began attempting to eat the same food as me.

On my worst days when I couldn’t sleep in the hospital because of severe leg pain, she’d come lie on my bed, caress my hair and wait for me to fall asleep before she did. During the day, we’d play Uno, sing songs and make lists of restaurants we’d go to once I was better.

My graduation was 2 months after my surgery. I cried watching my batchmates celebrate–I was supposed to be there. Pradnya didn’t even let me miss that– she organised a ceremony at the hospital, where the doctors gave me my certificate and a trophy!

On my birthday she even baked me a cake with the few ingredients I was allowed to eat. Soon after, when my hair started falling because of the treatment, I decided to shave it. She told me that she didn’t want me to do it alone. She came to the salon with me and shaved her hair too—it’s beyond me to explain what I felt then. How could someone have so much love for me? We both were bald, on similar diets, doing everything together...all of it just to tell me without words, that I wasn’t alone.

The cancer is gone, but I still have to go for weekly check-ups; she comes with me for all. And we always turn the hospital into a theatre—lights off, snacks and old bollywood movies. It’s really only Pradnya who could turn a life-threatening experience into some of the best days of my life. She’s made it clear, ‘As long as I’m your sister, I’m never leaving your side.”

"I was so excited when Mamma said I will be a big brother! But when she said it will take 9 months, I was sad. I wanted to play with the baby!

But I did Jai Jai to Bhagwan ji everyday, I wanted a little sister who'd tie rakhi to me. And when Alyza was born, I was so happy! I promised Mumma I'd always take care of her."

"But do you actually take care of her?"

"I dooooo! I never let her cry. If she does, I make funny faces and she starts laughing. Aur pata hai kya?"

"Kya?"

"I think she loves me the most, Didi. Only I can make her laugh and she only plays with the toys I get her. Now I just want her to grow up fast, so I can teach her cricket. And and and… I want to hear her call me Bhai. I will be the best Bhai ever– PROMISE!"

relatable stories | sibling stories | love | family | Humans of Bombay

“We’re not siblings, we are cousin sisters and since the last 7 years, we’ve both been tying her a Rakhi. She’s not just our ‘sister’, she’s so much more than that. Since we were kids, she’s the one person who’s consistently protected us, and lifted us up during our low times.

The best thing about her is that no matter what the problem is, she'll always, without fail, have a solution! I still remember when we were younger, and she was being sent off to boarding school. We were so upset and didn’t want to let her go. So for hours she tried to convince our parents to send us to the boarding school as well -- so that we could be together.

Now that we’re older, our bond has become stronger. Even when we go for parties, or to clubs, she’ll make sure to drop and pick us up. She won’t even leave us alone for a moment, she’ll always make sure that no one misbehaves with us or makes us feel uncomfortable!

All the things I’d ever imagine my brother to do, my sister does all of that, and even more. With her by our side, we have nothing and no one to worry about. Which is why 7 years back we decided to go beyond ‘tradition’, and tie her a Rakhi. To celebrate our relationship, to celebrate our love, and to celebrate our sisterhood."

“January 2021, the month that was supposed to bring me immense happiness, ended up being traumatic. My wife was due in January–a week before her due date, I started feeling dizzy and had problems passing urine. So, I visited my doctor without informing my wife; I didn’t want her to stress—I only took my sister and uncle along.

After running a few tests the doctor advised me to see a specialist, so I made an excuse and the next day itself, we left for Bombay. I was so anxious during the entire journey, but Didi just said, ‘Sab theek hoga!’

In Bombay, the specialist said, ‘Your kidneys are failing. I’m surprised you’re even standing!’ That one statement shook my core–How could it be? I was just 28 and felt fit. And then my thoughts went to my unborn child. That’s when the doctor suggested I start dialysis and as a long term solution–get a transplant.

My head started to spin. That’s when Didi held my hand and said, ‘No donor needed, I’ll give him my kidney.’ No hesitation, no second guessing, she said the words as if she’d been rehearsing them. I looked at her in disbelief as she squeezed my hand and said, ‘Sab theek ho jayega!’

Still, I asked the doctor to give me a week. I wanted to hold my baby before going in for treatment. Again, I hid this from my wife and went into dialysis only after seeing my baby boy– Didi accompanied me to every session. She’d rub my feet and read dua for me.

And once the dialysis was through, we fixed a date for the transplant. I then sat with my wife and told her everything; we both cried. And then the prep for the transplant began. Didi had to go through multiple tests and sign hundreds of documents.

But what I felt the most guilty about was that she had two kids and she also had to pause work for two months...just for me. But she went through everything with a smile, like only a sibling could. Once I was on the verge of tears, so she said, ‘Badle mein mujhe pani-puri khila dena.’ I chuckled and hugged her.

And on the day of the transplant Didi held my hand and gave me a smile, before being taken in for the surgery. When I opened my eyes after the surgery, the doctor said, ‘Lucky man, your sibling saved your life!’ I cried happy tears. When I saw Didi next, we joked about how our operation scar is now our DNA proof for being siblings!

The journey to recovery was fun—we’d go for drives and watch shows together. Spending so much time with Didi was such a ‘back to bachpan’ feeling. And you know what the funny part is? Growing up, she’d jokingly say, ‘Respect me, I’m like your 2nd mom!’ But now, with the lease of life she has given me, she proved that she actually is my 2nd mom!”

Being India’s largest storytelling platform, Humans of Bombay is all about bringing you extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Today, we bring you these sweet & relatable sibling stories because we know you’ll resonate with them! Love them or hate them, you just can’t do without siblings! If you’d like to read more such stories, check out our book and dive into the diverse tales of Bombay.

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