Those Days..

For the last few days, as I have been posting my blogs on Facebook, every time I log in, there is always an excitement bubbling inside me. A thrill simmering, to see if someone has read it or not? And perhaps it is the USP of Facebook, that it generates such feelings, whenever you post something.

Last evening, gripped under the same set of emotions, as I logged in, I was in for a pleasant surprise. My cousin sister and my younger brother had read it and left their comments, with their views. These are only among the exceptional few on Facebook, who have known me since I was a firm believer in the legacy of Santa Claus. And these people were reading my blog, putting forward their views and discussing it. It was appreciative, acknowledging and brought a genuine smile on my face. It was different, more stimulating, because it came from the closest quarters of my life.  

The nostalgic winds blew and took me to the lanes of childhood. Like in every other Indian family, my concept of brothers and sisters were not limited to my siblings only. It extended to all the cousins on the maternal and paternal sides. My only cousins on the maternal side, who were of my age, were my aunt’s children. Anu -didi for me- and Manu.

We were five including my younger brother and sister, and lived in the same city, few kilometers apart. But back then, we were kids and these few kilometers seemed miles apart. We were always dependent on our parents to take us to either’s place.

We waited for those days when we would meet, or best stay together during vacations. When there were no schools to attend, no home works to be completed, parents not compelling us to study and no worldly worries. The scorching sun or the chilling winter couldn't deter our spirits. The chuckling and roistering came in huge packages. When our little games were the order of the day and we competed with nonchalant intensity, to show our expertise.

All of us have these memories of the care free past; we have spent playing and laughing with our cousins. But as all good things come to an end, so did these days. However, even today, as we look back at those vividly smiling memories, it seems like yesterday.

This poem is for all these brothers and sisters. For those memories. Yours and mine.

अभी, जैसे, कल की ही तो बात थी,

जब, खुशी, बस हमारे साथ में थी.

पर, शायद ख़्वाबों को भी,

समय के साथ पर लग गये.

सपनों की डोर से बंधे,

उड़ती हुई पतंगों से,

हम अपनी उड़ान में,

उड़ते चले गए।

जाने कब, इन पतंगों का,

फिर उसी छत पे आना होगा।

उड़ती हुई पतंगों का,

जाने कहाँ, आशियाना होगा।