Today as I woke up in the morning, my eyes fell on a
portrait of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in the newspaper that my mother had just
placed on my bed. I sat up and read the lines written below it. “Commemorating
the 125th birth anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru” I called out to
my mum “You didn't wish us mama, today is children’s day.” “Is it 14th?”
she asked returning with a cup. “Oh, then Happy children’s day.” My mother’s
casual wish made me smile. I realized that I’m no longer that little girl
wearing frilled frocks who would have been given a warm hug and lots of
chocolates on this day. I am a seventeen year old now who ought to be content
with a casual “Happy Children’s day.”And I was reminded of some of the teachers
in school who now need to be told “Sir/Ma’am, It is children’s day today!”
Today as I sit reflecting on those years spent munching
wafers and enjoying tangy toffees, I wonder where’s that little girl who would
run with Dad around the house if the weather wasn't good enough to play
outside? Where’s that girl who would throw a tantrum if asked to wear that red
frock. Where’s the girl who would catch as many toffees (chocolaty melody, to
be specific) as she could when Dad would throw some into the air asking both of
us (me an’ my sis) to catch them (even helping himself to some)? Where’s that
girl who would count the number of stars in her notebook? Where’s the girl who
would reach school early in order to sit on the flower shaped chair? Where’s
that girl who would run around telling everyone that it is children’s day and
children really deserve something special on the day?
The little girl inside me today, urges me to be that little
girl yet again. I hear her say softly to me “You are still a little girl. Just
that you have given in to the norms of the society to behave like a sensible
teen. Don’t you want to have those tangy toffees again? Don’t you want to wear
those frocks yet again? Don’t you want a treat on children’s day?” And I
realize that my taste buds still tingle for that tangy taste (Alas! Those
toffees aren't available anymore), I still want to catch toffees thrown in air
(I can catch more now; I've got bigger hands, wink. . .) I still want to play
stupid games in the rain. I still want to celebrate children’s day with the
same gusto. I still want to be that little girl again. And today, I pledge, for
this one day, I will be that little girl yet again because I still am the
little girl I once was...
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