There was a time…
She would wait for dad to come back from office. He would get cream rolls.. She would jump and cling to him like a monkey. She would snatch the cream rolls from him and giggle. She would finish it all too soon, white cream on her teeth and her mouth. He made her day.. What more could she ask for..
There was a time..
She had a dog… She loved to play ‘Fetch’ with him. She would throw the ball. He would run to get it. Sometimes she would run. Without the ball. He would just run behind her. She had no idea why she was running. He had no idea why he was running. She would suddenly stop. He would stop too. He would pant, his tongue sticking out, hoping something would happen now. But there was nothing more. This was the game. The dog did not mind. He was just happy. She was also just happy.. What more could she ask for…
There was a time..
It was her birthday. The day before she would have gone to the store to buy toffies. Her classmates would get two toffees. Some not so important would get only one. Eclairs or Melody? She would call so many friends home for the party. They would play in the whole house. Parents would spend the whole day decorating the house with balloons. And write ‘Happy Birthday’ with crepe paper. The excitement would not be over just because the guests were leaving. It would continue. She would open the presents. The pink, blue, green, golden wrapping paper.. The puzzles. The dolls. The games. What more could she ask for.
There was a time…
There was a family wedding. Mummy had dressed her up in a lehenga. She was even allowed to wear a lipstick. And a bindi. And bangles. And a matching hair clip. People said she looked so cute. There was no school the next day. She and her cousins were running around the whole hotel. Chuppa Chuppi it was. She would hide behind the big huge flower pot in the middle of reception. Her cousin would also hide there. They would find each other. So easily. But still laugh. Such a hearty laugh… There were two flavours of ice-cream – vanilla and chocolate. She had both. Elders were busy. Nobody was monitoring them. What more could she ask for…
There was a time…
She had gone on vacation with her family. The hotel room had a bath tub. She hated taking a bath but this was so cool. There was hot water coming from the tap. Unlike her house where they heated water with and immersion rod and she had to use a bucket and mug. Mummy had to ask her to get out of the bathroom. But why should she? The foam in the water. The little bubbles… The cozy room of the hotel. The sight seeing outside where she would wear a half pant. Eating in restaurants. What more could she ask for.
There was a time..
There was so much less. But it was so much more. There were no regrets. There were no disappointments. There were no conflicts. Everything was just the way it was. Just the way it was meant to be…
Is that time over… Was that it.. Where is the joy…Will it ever come back..
She is scared to find the answer….