Serendipity: June 2021

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Unforgettable Childhood Games

"Hey, Mishti... Hey.. hey.. listen.. come on . Let's play our favourite game. Aunt Sonam has gone to the market. See, I got this piece of chalk.." Tabbu smiled mischievously holding a small piece of chalk.

'kilkil kante' was their favourite game. In which they chose a surface, like cupboard, table, chair... Etc etc, and make hidden marks, with a chalk. And the opponent must find all the marks in a speculated time. Well.. Yes it was kind of their 'Treasure Hunt game'.

Their Aunt Sonam was a meritorious medical student.. she ensured that all kids at home must give their hundred percent to studies. She despised their innocent game.

She was a tall slim woman, with sharp features and lovely smooth wheatish complexion. She had straight long hair which touched her knees. In all she was an intelligent beautiful beauty.

According to her .. this 'Stupid' game was played by the street kids. BUT, Mishti and Tabbu loved to invest their time playing their own miniature version of treasure hunt. They could spend hours playing it. After all,.. the loser used to buy icecream for the other. Ahem..ahem.. that was a HUGE incentive.

"Wow really.. she has gone to the market.. I know she will take atleast 2 to 3 hours to return. Let's play. Yayy!"

Both happily left their books and rushed to the terrace. Today, they had selected a wooden cupboard on terrace, which stored pillows and mattresses for the night.

Summer nights were absolutely fun. Everybody slept on the terrace... Right under the dark blanket full of sparkling diamonds.. and one big white dimond, which changed shapes everyday.

In the evening the terrace was sprinkled with water to let the heat evaporate and thereby, it got ready to spread the matresses..

An earthen pot was filled with water and left there... After an hour or so ... With magic.. it had the coolest aromatic water.. water tasted like the Best cool drink.

To jump and roll on all the matress at one go was the happiest game they had ever enjoyed. Mishti loved to gaze at the stars and form different patterns joining the sparkly dots with her imaginary pencil on the skyline.

******

They had started their game when suddenly Tabbu shrieked.. "Aa..aa.aaa.aaàaa"

Mishti looked up to Tabbu.. and turned white immediately.. to her horror..

Aunt Sonam was standing behind and pinching Mishti's ear.

"How come you have come so early??" Mishti asked crying with pain.

"Ahaa.. so.. you wait for me to go out and play This game... Why can't you play better games..?? Like Chess, Carom, badminton, Guess Guess..." Aunt Sonam was furious... "It was good that I returned home.. and caught you in the act.."

Mishti and Tabbu were feeling sorry now.. they admitted it was bad of them to wait for her to go out..

"Well.. Now when you both are sorry I must tell you that, I returned because I remembered.. you both wanted to see Movie Jungle Book." Smiling she continued "Come.. let's get ready and we will go together to watch it. I bought the tickets already. And promise me... you will play good games."

" Yes we promise Aunty.. but, if we want to play this game sometimes .. will you let us play for just once in a week..maybe.." Tabbu asked sheepishly.

Aunt laughed heartily and hugged them both.." see... now you know, how to do things. If you want to do something then it should never be done in hiding. I love you both"

Both smiled and said sorry and never to repeat.. a lesson learnt well in abundance ....with Love.. ❤️

*********©Deepti******

Sunday, 6 June 2021

Caged

Inside a cage
She lived
Not aware of
The world
So bright.
She saw
Others
Flying high
In the sky.
Her wings
Fluttered
But did not
Spring.
Her cage
Was small
And tiny
Walls touched
Her clipped
Wings.
Who are those
In the sky?
Her heart yearns
To fly one day.
Is there a heaven
Beyond
My cage
Or
An illusion I see?