May day

I woke up this morning to see a bubble flying outside my window. It had a nice roundness and the blue backdrop made it look even more beautiful. I looked down and I see my neighbour’s 6 year old daughter anxiously running down the stairs with a larger-than-her-frame school bag. Next to be seen is a mother. She rushes down to the shop, most probably to buy some crisps for her school going son. Just as she disappears between a sea of buildings, I see a 30 year old girl. She has patience written all over her face; a girl who gave up studying to enjoy a less stressful life which involved having qualities of a good home-maker. Three different images of a woman and then there was me- Clueless, confused but driven. This is how I have always liked to define myself.

The day started with me reflecting on the past two weeks, ten days to be exact. So I have now come up with a list of things I am not supposed to do in order to complicate things for myself and others involved.

• Lesson #1 is to ask for forgiveness for having a long face around people.
• Lesson #2 is to stop showing that you care because not everyone appreciates it.
• Lesson #3 is to stop having certain expectations about how people should treat me. It’s not anyone’s fault if they do not realize that there are those who take serious what we do slightly and think there hasn't been any impact made.
• Lesson #4 is to keep to myself. Let’s not bother anyone with my senseless ponderings.
• Lesson #5 is to not give easy leverage to people. It’s been done over and again by me. It’s time to learn the art of self-respect and holding back for once.

It’s 8:30 am now and I am walking towards Lal Bazar. Just as I step on the fly over, I look down to see two 8 year olds, with their arms around each other, headed to school. The public display of friendship is limited until one pushes the other to cross to the other side. This amused me to no extent, so much so that I gave out a loud laugh, much to the horror of my other fellow pedestrians. I met the two boys again, back with their arms around each other, and asked for their names- Jeet and Ganesh, they say. It’s nice to see love manifest itself in simple forms, so what if it is short lived. I part with the lads who now have ten rupees tightly clasped in their right hands. Just as I get in the cab, I see them again standing next to a paan shop.

Life is worth all these small moments. Time to start realizing that as I enjoy every minute of my stay home.