Bibliophile
Originally published May 2006
Have had (arguably) the most amazing trip home. And most of the credit goes to my two little nieces, aged 6 and 8. From cards — the littler one can hardly identify the symbol and the character, let alone figure out the order — to swimming around without a care, to fishing (a plastic toy game — but nevertheless); had oodles of fun! And they are exactly like me and my brother, the bigger one reserved, reticent and smarting with big eyes; the littler one can hardly stand still, and lies a lot.
The best part is, that I could be a child with them. Honest to earth. No giving in easily because they are, well, kids. No handicaps. And they seemed to have an amazing time as well. No grandma tales, no concocted Santa-stories — which everyone around seemed to be employing! This much is clear; I love children. And I hope this doesn’t become too big a factor in my life!
And also, met my pedamma after a long time, and akka, all mother of the two girls and all! They seemed to be particularly captivated by my hair, which they insisted would look nice if I used a comb. After that proved a waste, they have recommended a trim. Nevermind.
The most stark experience, is how they and my mother were discussing how I was such a book lover in my little-boy days. I remember poring through “The Count of Monte Cristo” thrice in the space of one summer vacation, sitting on the stairs in their Army Road, Vellore house. Akka couldn’t remember the book, though it was her own. And how whenever anyone wanted to buy me something, I’d promptly redirect them to the Mount Road Higginbothams. I even took a library membership in little town Vellore one summer. And this was when I was seven, and I remember finishing of most of the fare. Of course, running out of reading material, meant that I’d play cricket with my fast coming-to-boyhood little brother, with anything we could find; ladles, brooms, sticks. My cousin even took me on his cycle to play with some “older” boys — they were two and a half times my age, mind you — but it was better than lazing around watching TV. Even went to watch Project A (a Jackie Chan flick) in a one of the small downtown theatres — I was awestruck by Jackie eating some chillies and spitting it out as a weapon! Note — this was in the land of Rajnikanth, which is why the film made it’s way there, on such presentable credentials.
Of course, now I have money(err.. not yet), age, fast receding friends, work and other such burdens. But maybe I’ll find in my own Chateau d’If, the company and the treasure that will make it easier to fake the rest of life into submission.