masti bhara childhood - coming back from school had us heading straight to the nearest grocery store where mini chocolates were purchased for 25 paise each, and ice cream lollies had cost us 50 paise each.. It was the time when the elder sister's protective hand was what I looked forward to most. She used to take me for regular walks in the evenings.. often to the famous Malviya Nagar market in South Delhi. It is hardly a 10 minute walking distance from my home and hasn't changed much even after 15-20 years of those wonderful growing up years.
It was the story of our Gol gappa stalls next to our local halwai shop, which were a pleasurable sight. Eat 10 gol gappas and pay 2 rupees. Accumulation of 2 figure total amounts were an achievement; so we used to be so proud of our sister whenever her little purse boasted of an amount more than 10 rupees.
It was the story of occasional Gold Spots and 7 ups that visited our watering tongues as well; and a return to our comfortable homes during the evening time hardly made us feel relaxed.. The aura of a setting sun made us excited enough to play regular, non-stop indoor games - most popular of which were Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Monopoly. One win at a game made us feel at the top of the world, and several losses in one go helped us find solace in our mothers' arms.. Still, it was a colourful, vibrant and unforgettable childhood..
Almost two decades have gone by.. All of the kids at that time have been married, except me.. The elder sister's hand has now given support and space to her lovely kids.. My male cousin is well settled in his career and marriage life and stays abroad.. My real sister stays in Canada now, with her husband
Many of my old memories relate to the incidents I have mentioned about.. Despite the physical and mental changes occurring in the bodily frame, I have somewhat remained with the same stalls, and have regular, pleasant nightmares of being regularly beaten by my cousin in a game of cricket, or my sisters getting the better of me in Ludo!
