Raksha Bandhan in my family used to be pretty predictable: a Rakhi, a gift card, a photo for Mom’s WhatsApp group, and back to our busy lives. But this year? My brother Nikhil threw me a curveball:

“Navya, skip the fancy gift. Let’s go explore somewhere new together.”

Honestly, after weeks of Excel sheets and back-to-back meetings, I was one passive-aggressive email away from losing it. So, when he offered a break in nature, I said yes immediately and also because Nikhil has this knack for picking places that look like Windows wallpapers.

We zeroed in on a lush hillside resort, the kind with rolling meadows, misty mornings, and those epic sunrise views you keep as your phone wallpaper for months. It wasn’t a commercial, in-your-face place. It felt real. Warm. Thoughtful. Which is exactly what we wanted, something that let us be ourselves, laugh at each other, and reconnect without forced “activities.” Sterling has these properties tucked in breathtaking settings, and what I loved was how it wasn’t about showing off but about soaking in the little moments.

Of course, no sibling trip is complete without drama. Nikhil and I spent hours arguing over “candid” photos that required me to climb rocks in a dress which of course I refused, he insisted, and eventually we negotiated something in between. The outtakes were so terrible they became our favourite shots. Mealtimes at the in-house restaurant were their own comedy show: he was all about the local delicacies, describing the spices like some MasterChef judge, while I quietly ordered fries as backup. Naturally, we ended up swapping plates halfway, admitting defeat.

One afternoon we signed up for a guided nature walk the resort offered, which sounded tame until we turned it into a competition. Who could spot more birds, strange insects, or even the most photogenic rocks? He won (of course he did), and I sulked the entire way back while he gloated like an annoying child.

Perhaps the most unexpected experience was our sibling spa time at Subuthi. Nikhil was hilariously awkward in the spa robe, threatening to leave if I took his photo. But the moment the massage started, he melted, and I caught him snoring in the relaxation room afterward. We also ended up spending a night on the balcony under a sky bursting with stars, sipping hot chocolate and talking about everything from our exes (regretted this instantly) to old childhood secrets. It was the first time in years we actually talked, not just texted “k” or shared memes.

The biggest surprise wasn’t the scenery or the service (though both were top-notch). It was realising how much I’d been missing my brother, not the grown-up Nikhil with his camera and smug jokes, but the goofy, loyal, always-has-my-back partner-in-crime. Our day-to-day lives are so packed and disconnected that we forget to really see each other. This trip forced us to slow down, laugh until our stomachs hurt, argue about stupid things, and remember we actually love being around each other.

This Raksha Bandhan instead of the usual gift exchange, think about what you’re really celebrating. A trip together makes it personal, giving you a chance to choose a place that truly reflects you both, whether it’s mountains, beaches, or a hidden forest retreat. And it’s not just about photos for social media. When you’re exploring new places, trying local food, getting lost on trails or even relaxing at the spa together, you’re making memories that’ll last longer than any designer bag or watch.

It’s a chance to be present for each other, to put away the phones (well, after the photos) and really talk. Share the weird stories, the dreams you’ve been too busy to discuss, and the kind of secrets you thought you’d outgrown. Embrace the silliness of fighting over playlists, the competitive spirit that turns a nature walk into a scavenger hunt, or the awkwardness of a shared spa session that ends in unstoppable laughter.

Because ultimately, the best Rakhi you’ll ever tie is in a place where you both get to be yourselves, no pretence, no stress, just genuine connection. Trust me, no fancy gift can compete with that. So go on. Pack your bags. Tie that Rakhi somewhere unforgettable this 11th August. And don’t forget to let your sibling pick the playlist or at least argue about it, for old times’ sake.