Delayed Dreams

19 years back... the day of Diwali.

Lucknow.

“Aaj chotu ne gubbare ke liye zidd ki, aur main use dila nahi paya...” (today, chhotu was crying for a balloon, but i could not afford to buy for him)

papa was saying to Mummy in balcony after dinner in our single room house...

i was unhappy with papa because i did not get the balloon. My Papa never brings anything for us whenever he comes home from office. Rachna Didi’s papa got a doll for her, chiku’s papa got a toy car for him, they also burn lots of crackers on Diwali, but we do not get anything...

i did not care... and slept after crying.




9 years back... the day of Diwali.

Faridabad.

“No my Son, that is not a good one, i will bring a bigger one for you from Delhi...” i saw a father, unsuccessfully, trying to convince his son for not buying a balloon, for which he was crying. I could see the pain in the eyes of father. That reminded me of 10 years old similar incident...

I can never forget that...




Today, a week before Holi.

Kaiserslautern.

“Your father has bought Water Guns worth Rs. 400 for Mannu... see, this one is even bigger than Mannu...” Mummy was telling me during our Video Chat over skype. That again reminded me of that 19 years old incident, but this time in a different way.

Papa also could never forget that...

He was sitting next to mummy, I could see the satisfaction in his eyes, smile on his face... now he could afford to realize his parental dreams on his grandson, which he could not do for his own kids...

My Sweet Nani...

I was a kid of 7 years at that time, papa was again transfered to Lucknow and we (Mummy, Bhaiya, Didi and Me) had to stay back in Faridabad. Papa underwent a small surgery of stomach, so mummy had to go to Lucknow to look after him. We again had to stay back home because of most hated thing 'SCHOOL'.

Nani came to our home for our look after. I must say that she was in her 70's at that time, but still she was very active. She could manage entire house equally well as Mummy used to do. We were actually not missing Mummy... and happiest part of the day used to be when she would tell us stories of "Raja-Rani", "Bhoot", "Indian Gods", etc. at dinner time.

That was the result day. I had come on 2nd position in my class. Nani had promised to buy me a gift.

She asked, "kya lega??"(What would you like to have??)

I was very excited that Nani would buy me a gift, but i was not prepared for such a question.

I was under thought... what should i ask for??

I was in extreme hurry to tell my choice, as if Nani would not give anything after 5 seconds.

"Parachute", i declared all of a sudden...

Nani was alien to this word.

She asked,"Wo ka howe hai??" (What is that??)...

I did not know how to explain what parachute is...

So she took me to nearest Gupta grocery shop, and told the shop keeper,

"Dekhiyo bhaiya, ye kya maang raha hai??"(Please see what the kid is asking for??)

Gupta ji had a big mustache and i used to be very scared of him. He knew that i was scared and hiding myself behind Nani's pallu, he spoke with his bulging eyes and loud voice, "Haan chhote miyan, kya du??"

I could not dare to come out of Nani's pallu, also i had to take the Parachute, in the controversial situation and anxiety i started chewing Nani's pallu...

Nani snatched the pallu, said, "bol na... kya keh raha tha ghar pe??" (Tell, what do you want??)

I spoke slowly without looking at Gupta ji, "Parachute"...

Gupta ji went inside the shop murmuring something and came out with 100gms bottle of Parachute Coconut Hair Oil...

Nani said,"Hai mare, nariyal tail chahiye tha, wo to ghar pe rakha hai peepa bhara..."(Oh you were asking for Coconut Oil, we have one container of that back home...)

I resisted on top of my voice,"Nahi Nani, ye nahi, udne wala..."(No nani not this, the one used for flying...)

Gupta ji started laughing with his Pan Masala filled mouth wide open, his red teeth were looking more horrible. His characteristic "BANIYA" tummy was shaking with ripples of laughter.

Nani said,"Rehen deyo ji, balak hai..."(forget it, these kids...) Nani was embarrassed.

She held my hand, we started moving back home, "Bhaiya, ab uske liye to tumhe fauj main bharti hona padega..."(for that you will have to get into Army...)

I kept on looking towards sky with a hope that i will get a parachute one day...