I remember vividly my days as a school going child. It would start early with my School van arriving at 6 :50 sharp, then the blaring music in my van, a wonderful day at school and I would get back home in the evening. I played with a lot of children in the neighborhood and friends from school later in the evening. I had a small but happy world of my own. However, when it came to other things, I used to run home. This was because I had a friend, a sibling; a mentor, a parent all packed into one package in the form of an adorable Grandpa. That could have been one of the reasons that during those wonderful days, my Best friend was my Grandpa.
My grandpa was a simple person. He was tall, slim, and partially bald and he always had a healthy attitude towards both, his body and soul. He took life as it came and was a happy person . From what I can remember, I was in my ‘curiosity cat’ years and I would go to Grandpa with all my questions. To answer some of the complicated questions, grandpa would bring down his big carton of books from the attic and select a ‘Wisdom’ book .He would read out the relevant pages loud and explain the answers to my questions while I used to sit on his lap. Finally he would make me read the ‘good thoughts’ at the end of each page. Sometimes, the reading would get too much and being the spoilt child, I would start throwing tantrums. Then Grandpa would promise me a plate of masala poori in the evening in exchange for a little more patience to know the answers to my own questions .I am guessing that was when we both trained our subconscious to settle petty arguments over masala poori .
My childhood days have been greatly influenced by Grandpa. Indeed, it would not be wrong if I say that today writing is a hobby because Grandpa taught me how hobbies can change one’s life. Grandpa always had a hobby. He read extensively for a few years about philosophy. He would tell me some of the most beautiful stories before I would fall asleep. For the next few years, he created a beautiful garden. He never said he was too old or too high to do any work. He would come with his hands soiled and looking contended after gardening. For several other years, he was a total music buff. Indeed he was more aware of the latest releases than I was. I would get annoyed and ask him to keep the foot tapping ‘Alisha’ numbers on a low volume. My mother would humor us that he was the college going music buff and I was the grandma. And to top it all, Mom would make a healthy version of the street masala poori. Later, Grandpa would sing to me and then dance like Kishore Kumar if he was in his best moods. Sounds dramatic! But yes, he was the best grown up child.
The masala poori tradition continued for several years. Sometimes, we would have a continuous session about any interesting topic. Finally, when it would be evening, we would decide to have a masala poori. During these times, I used to make a quick trip and get the masala poori packed. And on our little home treat, he always narrated his college stories and I told him mine. He was an engineer himself and during those days, his hobby was singing. He was a great singer in his college days. His favorite story was how he got into trouble once when he performed a song with a girl’s name in it. Unfortunately, a girl by that name actually existed in college and she complained against grandpa to the principal. I found his stories ‘cool’ but never told him so. Sometimes, when I watch Audrey Hepburn’s old movies and I look at her heroes, I remember Grandpa. Yes! He dressed like them!
Grandpa always encouraged me to study hard and he always tried to make the study sessions interesting. He made tea for me during exam nights. We had evolved into different stages from masala poori. It had gone to ‘edible at anytime category’ and consisted of popcorn, chocolates, kurkure, frooti…the list could go on. We had well planned strategies as to what time to eat the junk food (only after mom had checked on me, rather on me and grandpa), and then the goodies would come out. During these days, whatever junk he bought, he would buy two packets, one for each of us. It was a different story when mom found out about our junk food habits!
On days when I was sick, Grandpa would always be there by my bed side, several times not sleeping the whole night. Indeed he would promise me a ‘chaat’ treat once I would get well. He was so full of life. He was a committed man to his family and the best grandpa one could have. If someone would see his smile, no one could ever say that he was a young widower and a single parent. It s been a year now since grandpa passed away but it is really tough to imagine him not alive. He was so full of life and will always be with us through the values he has taught. The rapport most of us share with our grandparents is special. If you still have yours, lucky you! Make them feel special.. Every time I look at someone who is his age, I hope that his grandchildren are as lucky as me. But my heart says,’ No, not as much as you’ …Well, does anyone?
‘To Thata who passed away on 14 Th September, 2008’
Love,
Soujanya
