Innocence
……… The spark of life
Members of a household normally get along like a house on fire. But there are occasions when the house is on fire because of absurd aberration on their part. These are times when one seeks seclusion to let tempers simmer down. What better than spending a few hours in solitude ?
Sitting on one of the few remaining vintage stone “Throne” s at Manu Vana Park ( Opposite law Courts) I suddenly felt someone(somethimg?) tickling my anlkes. As I jumped up, I heard a sweet hushed voice “ Uncle, can you see if Shylu is somewhere here in the park”? I looked around to see from where the voice was coming, I saw the little hand waving from behind the “Throne”. A little boy not more than 4 years old with a mischievous smile came from behind and enquired “ Thatha, have you seen Shylu " ?( note how uncle changed to Thatha ) . " Who is Shylu " ? I asked. Without uttering a word he held my hand and said ”Let’s find her”
Strolling around with him clinging to my arm,I couldn’t find a child of his age anywhere in the park ”Shylu is not here” I said. He insisted that we look in the adjacent park ( for those who are not aware, Manu vana is actually 2 parks on either side of the busy Vani Vilas Road ) . I hoped to locate someone who might be looking for this little Brat..All the while he was busy crawling under benches, & running around plants .Finding no sign of his “Shylu” he nonchalantly wiped his muddy hands on my Trousers, I asked his name, he recited “T.S.Rohith, Gyanaganga school son of Sriram & Shylaja." I immediately realized that “ "Shylu” was Shylaja his mother and not his playmate. It was heartening to note that the kid had been taught to give full details when he is asked only his name. I prodded him further to try & find the location of their home . But the child could provide only vague directions. As darkness would soon set in, I just couldn’t leave him there and go home. So I decided to wait. Sitting next to me with palms on his cheeks he asked: "Thatha Do you go for Work? “ “Yes at my office” I replied.
“ Ramu too goes to work” (obviously referring to Sriram,his dad ). Pinching my forearm he giggled “same same ” .Pointing to the Mobile phone in my pocket he exclaimed ” I have one also” excitedly and pulled out an expensive handset from his pocket. ”and this is why Shylu is searching for me. We are playing hide & seek ” I was Shocked.
As Minutes passed, I was getting nervous. Suddenly I heard
someone from the Park entrance shout “Rohiiiit” .In a flash he scampered towards some shrubs screaming ” Thatha, run fast , lets hide before
Shylu catches us",
The parents thanked me
for “finding” their son! . I
casually asked where they lived’ . To reach their home they would have to cross three busy roads . I
was aghast.
How did this little one manage to reach the park Unscathed?
I headed home after the chaotic escapade in a much calmer frame of mind. i
also realized that I had recovered composure that I might have lost while
arriving at the park
1 comment:
What an experience ! Good that you were with the child till the parents found him .
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