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! :)

LIVE YOUR LOVE…

True love is like a rare, sober flower;
It flourishes in every habitat, that's its power!
It may have had memories sweet & sour;
Yet, it's a never-ending source of strength…
… for all 60 minutes of even the darkest hour!

Might not have a cultured, melodious voice
Yet the trust, the truth in its sound makes it as pious as a shrine's chimes.

Might not be the prettiest sight
Yet it removes all shadows of uncertainty spreading its distinguished light.

Might not have the best of fragrance,
Yet it smells ever fresh and pure
With love comes along a touch, a feel that is every woe's cure!

It has that unique, sometimes enthralling, sometimes soothing excitement
It's an example of a nonshakable rejuvenating commitment

It's like an irresistible combination of taste & hunger,
It's a craving for every loner or party goer!
Independent is love, dependent is the lover!
Carefree is love, careful is the lover!
What's a lover without its love
More so, what's a love without its lover!!

The slower, the steadier… its more a bonding than a bounding force
It's strengthening every day, every year
Hold on… hold on close to your true love dear,
Live your love… like its now or never!


- Toral

[Copyrights (c) 2010 by Toral Vira.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval or transmitted or circulated, in any form or by any means without prior written permission of author.]

Mishti - 1

“Mishti, Mishti… hey, wait!” I heard somebody calling my name fervently. I was already feeling so nostalgic, another farewell and I might burst into tears. Somehow, I controlled myself, regained composure and turned back. Little Sargam was running towards me. Her mother was left behind in the race. Not bothering about any vehicles on the road, her tiny feet were moving in full force. I spread my arms wide open and she ran into them, hugging, cuddling all together. Oh! How does one stop tears in such a situation. Well, I had lived in Mumbai, in my neighbourhood, for all 15 years but now I had to shift over to a different city all together. This wouldn’t be easy for anyone but was typically very hard for me. Little Sargam was still clinging to me and pleading me to stay back. Earlier I had just bid farewell to all my school and colony friends. Together, they had gifted me a nice collage frame of all our memories, school picnics, annual function, birthday parties, girlie nightouts, shopping sprees etc. That was indeed so thoughtful. My dance teacher had gifted me the best of “Natraja” idols. Why not, I boasted. Afterall, I had been her favourite student and the best dancer in the troup. We had even performed in Boogie-woogie together and she had so proudly called me her daughter then. Oh, how I would cherish these memories forever. Sargam’s mother joined in. She pulled Sargam out of my arms. With glistening tears, and heart ache I bade her good bye. Silently walking, I bade good bye to everything around that was so so dear to me. My school building, the grocery store lines, the raddi-walla from whom I bought my mills and boons, the mango tree where we plucked raw mangoes and ate all summer, my building entrance where I would run into, the stairs, my favourite spot to hide when we played hide and seek, all neighbor houses and finally, I reached my home sweet home. Alas, I’d have to leave all of this. With a deep sigh, I entered the flat. The atmosphere was kind of terse. Mummy was finishing the last bits of packing, daddy was doing his good bye phonecalls to his friends in Mumbai. Tomorrow early morning, we would all travel to Pune. Daddy had got this new job, it is supposed to be a nice upcoming city, with better climate, nice mountains. So be it, I say… nothing beats Mumbai. Nevertheless the fights were over, the job offer has been accepted. So, Pune here we come.

...To be continued