What a blithesome morning it was! When we, the parents woke up our elder child this morning planting the two morn kisses, one on each cheek and wished her a wonderful children's day, the cherubs in us took our being. Our other bundle of joy who was lost in sweet dreams stretched and bestirred herself on the first sound of her sister's giggle. So on a rainy Friday morning at 7 o'clock , just before the father was to leave for work, there ensued a ball in the room. With the 'abhi to party shuru hui hai' music just a tap away, the quartet began frolic. The silent, cozy, snug room turned into a vibrant, peppy, perky leeway. Within five minutes the family was all charged up. The kids were in a tizzy thinking a vacation had begun.We were brought back to senses when the cooker whistled in the kitchen. Yes, the porridge that was kept to simmer had cooked to boil, indeed demanding my culinary skills! In a flash, with exchange of hugs and kisses the children's father took his leave for office, ready to battle the horrid traffic on the way. With the hustle and bustle followed by some incessant respiring the schoolgirl boarded her van. No, it wasn't a holiday but some fun day in school.
While massaging my younger one as I prepped her for bath, my mind wandered and I tried to recall how we celebrated the day at school. Children's day was always the most awaited event in schools. I remember on one such occasion, the teachers had enacted a play and entertained our lot. Those childhood days! Dancing in the rains, splashing on the puddles. Ready for school in the neatly ironed uniform with two 'jhoola' plaits ribboned into a bow. Hopping on to the fuel tank of the motorcycle or sitting on the pillion seat of the scooter, clenching papa's shirt tight, sometimes even hurting him when he would drop me to school. Leaving one clenched fist to wave bye bye to the school friend (who would be right at the adjacent seat, the whole day in school), leaning out of the autoriksha with more children than air to breathe. Saving the pocket money to buy the chips, 'churan', 'aam papad', 'disco ice cream' at the school gate. Long vacation plans during summers with no sleep in the eyes for the afternoon siesta. Surrounding the granny to hear a long bed time story, repeated every night. The 'gali cricket' with everyone wanting to bat and none ready to ball. The 'stappu' chalked on a cemented ground with a constant search for the flattest of stones to mark a good throw. The grumpy look on the face for the entire period Mom would oil my hair. The fancy dress competitions in school with children clad as a postbox, softy, star, pineapple or the like. The 'Doordarshan' telecasting 'Surabhi', 'Jungle Book', 'Potli Baba Ki', 'Shaktiman', 'Byom Kesh Bakshi', 'Ramayana' or 'Mahabharata'. The Onida advertisement marking "Owner's Pride, Neighbour's Envy". The morning blues of gulping the 'chyavanprash' with the hot milk. Those were the carefree days! Being a child, always felt so special! Living it with one's children again is a bliss!
My joy knew no bounds when the doorbell rang and I received the courier of the online gifts I had purchased for the lassies. One day delivery guaranteed! Such is the felicity. The presents pampered the children and kept them busy till the evening. Then there was this pleasant surprise. The father arrived home early and took us all out for dinner at our favourite hangout. What a day to live our childhood again!
While massaging my younger one as I prepped her for bath, my mind wandered and I tried to recall how we celebrated the day at school. Children's day was always the most awaited event in schools. I remember on one such occasion, the teachers had enacted a play and entertained our lot. Those childhood days! Dancing in the rains, splashing on the puddles. Ready for school in the neatly ironed uniform with two 'jhoola' plaits ribboned into a bow. Hopping on to the fuel tank of the motorcycle or sitting on the pillion seat of the scooter, clenching papa's shirt tight, sometimes even hurting him when he would drop me to school. Leaving one clenched fist to wave bye bye to the school friend (who would be right at the adjacent seat, the whole day in school), leaning out of the autoriksha with more children than air to breathe. Saving the pocket money to buy the chips, 'churan', 'aam papad', 'disco ice cream' at the school gate. Long vacation plans during summers with no sleep in the eyes for the afternoon siesta. Surrounding the granny to hear a long bed time story, repeated every night. The 'gali cricket' with everyone wanting to bat and none ready to ball. The 'stappu' chalked on a cemented ground with a constant search for the flattest of stones to mark a good throw. The grumpy look on the face for the entire period Mom would oil my hair. The fancy dress competitions in school with children clad as a postbox, softy, star, pineapple or the like. The 'Doordarshan' telecasting 'Surabhi', 'Jungle Book', 'Potli Baba Ki', 'Shaktiman', 'Byom Kesh Bakshi', 'Ramayana' or 'Mahabharata'. The Onida advertisement marking "Owner's Pride, Neighbour's Envy". The morning blues of gulping the 'chyavanprash' with the hot milk. Those were the carefree days! Being a child, always felt so special! Living it with one's children again is a bliss!
My joy knew no bounds when the doorbell rang and I received the courier of the online gifts I had purchased for the lassies. One day delivery guaranteed! Such is the felicity. The presents pampered the children and kept them busy till the evening. Then there was this pleasant surprise. The father arrived home early and took us all out for dinner at our favourite hangout. What a day to live our childhood again!
