Just 2 days back my childhood friend, Sayani forwarded a pic to me. Both of us sitting on top of a train in a park. Both wearing red woolen frock, with my inner frock peeping out. Me with a grumpy face and Sayani as sweet as ever (always!).
Here, we are in a man-made lake named as the Subhash Sarobar in Kolkata. It is very close to our home and uncle (sayani's dad) used to take us both in his scooter most of the Sundays. It used to be a glory trip.There was a park with all types of swings, slides,climbing rods, see-saw etc. There was also a sand pit for the kids to play. And how can i forget the rabbit cage. It was a huge one.. with around 50 rabbits in there. It used to smell so foul but still loved to see the white cute animals in there. There was a small hill in the middle of the lake, connected to the land by a narrow road with tall trees on both side making a perfect avenue. The hill top had small benches for the walkers/visitors to sit. A visit to the hill top was a charm. Uncle used to take us there rarely which in a way helped to maintain the charm i guess. A surprise trip to the hill after the park used to be such a thrill to both of us ! Oh, i still remember the feel !! :-)
Sayani, is my first friend. First friend of my life. I came to know her in K.B.Roy's Montessori School and soon became good friends. She used to stay in our neighborhood which helped us to enrich our friendship. We played all types of games. Sayani always loved to play with the dolls. Being the teacher, wearing saree and making her dadu our student.I still remember how we used to thrash him for not doing his said-homework and bribe him to say the wrong answers !! We used to play ekka-dokka, kit-kit, colour man, chor-police, kumir-danga(crocodile-land), catching-catch, chain-chain,lock-n-key and many many more. We used to have many friends from the neighbourhood. The boys taught us to play cricket, danguli, marbles etc. Me getting a swimming lesson since the age of 2 was a big time loss. I had to go to the swimming club at 4 and used to be back from there by 530-6. So the evening play at the park was always a loss. Used to get only half an hour time or so. Used to look forward for Sunday. But baba being at home always had put me in a dilemma. Spending time with him or the play with friends always was a tough question, considering the fan i was of my father. But yes there was the Winter(s). No swimming and winter holidays. Me being from the convent school helped. A month long holiday for Christmas gave enough time for us to play.
Rimi, Sompa, Papon ,Bhulu, Sayani and me. That was the internal group. There were many other but i hardly remember those names any more. What weird pet-names we bengali(s) have i wonder. Hilarious !! Sayani and me still joke on them now and then. We are not in touch with the rest but the memories are fresh. Sayani has a better memory though. She keeps me entertained of what not we used to do. Recalling a bit ... Bhulu used to be my Bf and Papon sayani's !! Papon used to like Sayani a lot.. no surprises there sayani being such a cute looking gal !! But guess what? I had received a love letter from Papon once. At the age of 4 i guess. ha ha !! It was more like a betrayal letter than a love one i guess. Won't go into details .. reason ? 1. should not make fun of anyone's emotion specially that of a kid [shit am still giggling!! :D ] 2. a suspense to make my post a hit [ smart thot ! isnt it? :P ]
Memories come in a gush and i love them. Will pen-down more later someday !
Kash mein firse woh innocence enjoy kar pati !
