Mishti - 2

Early morning at 6 we started. After the Mumbai-Pune expressway has been constructed, the drive is hardly 3-4 hours. The fresh air and morning dew were a complete contrast to my feelings. On the way, we took a halt at the food mall for breakfast. To lift up my spirits, daddy loaded me with all the goodies – cream biscuits, slice cakes, french fries, cheese balls and not to forget Thumbs up, the best of soft drinks. Who can stop smiling at such a pleasant sight, definitely not me. I was sure mummy wouldn’t allow it, so looked at her pleadingly, but she just smiled and put the first of the fries in her mouth. I gave an instant giggle and with that I digested that Mumbai has definitely been lost behind. I would keep my promise though and visit my friends in holidays, keep in touch by phone and that is it. Popped in a couple of cheese balls in my mouth and we headed ahead.

About 20 minutes after crossing Lonavala, we took another small break at Shirgaon. Mummy wanted a cup of tea and some medicines for her throbbing headache. I waited for mummy-daddy. I was just strolling by the car when unknowingly I was pushed by few kids playing running race and I stepped over a fruit vendor’s banana basket. She was a giant lady with well built muscles. I shrieked out looking at her. Unable to control my balance, I kind-of toppled over her all together. My goodness, I got scared. She started blabbering in Marathi and hitting me as well. But, it was not my fault, it was just an accident, or was it a mischief. I looked out for the kids but they had run away. I heard a distant laughter, which confirmed that it was a prank. Now, seeing my lack of attention the fruit vendor lady started yelling even more. Her loud wailing deafened me. She was complaining about loss of business but nobody was going to buy her over-ripe bananas, I grumbled. She did not stop for complete 15 minutes till mummy-papa came over. Without any arguments, papa just handed her some 3-4 hundred rupee notes and fetched me up. Her complains stopped. We started to the car but I smelled bananas all over. It was nauseating. Mummy found one of her salwar-kameez from the minimal luggage we had with us in the car. We headed to the ladies restroom for me to change. That was a dangerous sight. It was dirty, watery and filled with dozens of women like the fruit vendor lady. Some kids bantering, some other women fighting over a push, this was worse than the Mumbai local trains. Even I don’t know how I managed to change my clothes and get out of there. In the 5 minutes I spent there, the only familiar reference was Pune. Seems like another 20 minutes, and we would step into Pune. Were they all heading to Pune, was Pune filled with many more of their clan? How I wished I could just run back to Mumbai.

The remaining journey was uneventful. With all my pre-notions, the Pune suburbs appeared much better. Lot many two-wheelers and so many “Neera-kendras”. We were straight heading to the staff quarters, but daddy wanted to drop by and see how his new workplace looks like. Oh, I missed to tell you. My father is a pediatric surgeon and per his new job, he would be the head of department of some recently started but up to the mark hospital in Pune. So, we were heading first to his new hospital and then the staff quarters. As we drove through the roads of Pune, I had difficulties in getting the names of everything, from shop names to hoardings. Everything was in super fluent Marathi. Not that I didn’t know the language, but those were complicated to read and who is going to visit the shop or get attracted to any advertisement with such complicated words. But, I hardly knew what was next in store. We parked in front of the hospital and I got out to read the name, written in bold Marathi and subscripted in English. I know it is weird but I never bothered asking about the hospital name to Daddy. I knew the address faintly, Paul road, Kothrud. So, coming back to the hospital name. I can bet all my pocket money that none of us would read it straight in one go, for the first time. My daddy would be the HOD of the pediatrics department of Sant Dnyaneshwar Aarogyarasradhika Rugnalaya. Phew, I just took a long, heavy breath, looked at my dad and he smiled back. This was indeed a little complex name for a hospital. Welcome to Pune!

My Grocery date with Mumma

One day, Mumma and I decided to go grocery shopping. But, getting ready was not so good. She picked me from waist up and carried me like a log to the wash basin. I was cranky all the time, banging my arms and legs with watever came in the way. But her grip never loosened. Very nicely she washed my hands, legs and face. Not to mention, I was playing with water. And then I wanted to wear my full pant, but Mumma ensured that I wear a half-pant with mickey mouse t-shirt, just because the spider-man tshirt was new. I looked at myself in the mirror, still cranky, and in the next 2 minutes, mom was ready after draping her full 5 meters saree. Awesome speed right! Yet, I felt she was making us late. Being a 5 year old, I was super-excited about even grocery shopping.

I ran down the stairs. But once on the street, Mom was constantly holding my hand. Oh, I saw a puppy and then a Dairymilk wrapper but she'd never allow me to pick up. I waved to the cycle-wala, bhel-wala, idli-wala but Mumma never stopped. And then I was about to start singing my cry song, when she played running race with me for the last 2 blocks to the shop. Obviously, she never left my hand and yet I managed to stretch as much possible, run and pull and all and get first! :) With a heavy breath, we entered the shop. My steps turned towards the chocolates and candy rack. But then I was flying in mid-air, to land straight on the counter top. The shopkeeper uncle had scooped me up and then, I climbed and sat in his empty seat. So, while Mumma was collecting the grocery, I was fiddling with his phone, playing with some coins etc. And then Mumma came to the counter to pay for the stuff she picked up. Uncle was telling me about which note to give, and how many, and then indirectly i tended the change. Wow, I was so proud. Mumma hopped me down, took me to the chocolates rack. I chose a dairy milk. We gave the money and bid good bye to Shopkeeper uncle.

Happy with my chocolate, I walked the first 2 blocks smoothly but then I wanted to open and eat it but Mumma was holding my hand so tightly that I couldn't. I kept nagging her and she kept scaring me in the name of Police uncle and school teacher. So, we managed another block. But, now my patience was wearing out, and my sobs were turning louder. Thats when she decided to play "I-spy" while walking. Wow! I was excited again. Obviously, I started the game.

She always guessed it right, so I wanted to give her a difficult one "I spy white". She started listing so many things - the notice board, a grand ma's hair, her teeth, my teeth, the mickey mouse t-shirt I was wearing, his teeth, the milk bottles seen in a store, a baby's teddy bear, a cat but I was so intelligent, I kept saying no to all. So, I gave her last 3 chances but she lost. And then I pointed up in the sky. But the sky was blue and the evening sun was orange, and then I looked up again finding it, and pointed her the moon :) For the first time.. I won!!!!

It was then, her turn. She said, "I spy brown". So, I started guessing, the tree trunk, her sandal, another boy's bag, but nothing. So, I asked for a clue. And she said it is with us. I started scouting her carry-bags, but she refused all the browns I pointed. We were already at the gate of our apartment. I didnt want to give up. Looked up at her sadly. She was smiling and her eyes were pointing to my hand. I looked at my hand. Ahh.. brown for the chocolate. There was a brown picture on the wrapper. Finally, I guessed it. I told her that I wanted to eat it. She looked at me and I understood. Smiling, I replied, I'll eat after reaching home.

From that day, till date, I smile and remember our grocery date everytime I see a dairy milk.

My dear Mumma... I love you so much! :)