Down memory lane
It was a hot, sultry evening in Madras. I had come to my grandparents place for the summer holidays. I was 8 years old then. That summer my grandfather had this craze of going grocery shoppng around six kilometers away from home every evening. And I tagged along with him everyday on his TVS-50. Though the hot weather never suited me, I always went since the outing was an interesting break and also at the end of the trip my grandfather would get me a Choco Bar ice-cream from Arun Ice-creams. Everyday!
But this one particular evening was pretty eventful. We had just got some coriander leaves and were getting ready to go to the next shop. My grandfather got on the vehicle and before I could get on he went ahead leaving me behind! The first thought that crossed my mind was that maybe he is just taking a turn and will come back to get me. But a moment later when I saw him take a turn at the end of the road I realised that is not going to happen!
Panic struck me for a moment and I tried to run accross the road, nearly missing being hit by a cycle! Now there were a couple of on-lookers staring at me. I realised that it was already too late to call or run after him. I quickly regained my composure and people around me went on with their business.
Now I could have taken some smart decisions. I could have stood there waiting for my grandfather to come back and pick me up once he realised his mistake. I did not do that! I could have walked to my relative's place a kilometer away and given my mom a call. I did not do that! I decided to walk back home! Intelligent decisions have eluded me till date. And you dont expect smart decisions from a 8 year old, do you!!!
I behaved as if nothing happened and started my long 6 km journey back to my grandfather's place. I dont remember much of my journey back home. It was pretty uneventful though. And it never did cross my mind that I might lose my way. I never claim to know all the routes but I do take pride in my sense of direction. And with that confidence I began my walk. I do remember trying to count the number of steps for some time but soon my knowledge of the number systam failed me and I lost interest!
It took me an hour and a half to reach the gates of the house. I entered to see that only my aunt was at home. Of course once my grandfather had realised his mistake and he had come back looking for me only to find that I was not where he had left me! And the panic button had been pressed. Also with the ubiquitous cell phone being unheard of in those times, communication was not an easy thing. Thankfully my mom and grandmother who were just on their way to lodge a report, called up my aunt before doing it and she delivered the good news.
Little did I understand the fuss created that night. I was a hero! They didnt expect me to get lost did they! But today when I look back I realise the tension that would have been prevalent in the house that evening.
My sense of direction has never let me down, be it in Harihar, or in Madras, or in Bangalore, or be it even in Amsterdam, or Paris, or Rome!!!
But this one particular evening was pretty eventful. We had just got some coriander leaves and were getting ready to go to the next shop. My grandfather got on the vehicle and before I could get on he went ahead leaving me behind! The first thought that crossed my mind was that maybe he is just taking a turn and will come back to get me. But a moment later when I saw him take a turn at the end of the road I realised that is not going to happen!
Panic struck me for a moment and I tried to run accross the road, nearly missing being hit by a cycle! Now there were a couple of on-lookers staring at me. I realised that it was already too late to call or run after him. I quickly regained my composure and people around me went on with their business.
Now I could have taken some smart decisions. I could have stood there waiting for my grandfather to come back and pick me up once he realised his mistake. I did not do that! I could have walked to my relative's place a kilometer away and given my mom a call. I did not do that! I decided to walk back home! Intelligent decisions have eluded me till date. And you dont expect smart decisions from a 8 year old, do you!!!
I behaved as if nothing happened and started my long 6 km journey back to my grandfather's place. I dont remember much of my journey back home. It was pretty uneventful though. And it never did cross my mind that I might lose my way. I never claim to know all the routes but I do take pride in my sense of direction. And with that confidence I began my walk. I do remember trying to count the number of steps for some time but soon my knowledge of the number systam failed me and I lost interest!
It took me an hour and a half to reach the gates of the house. I entered to see that only my aunt was at home. Of course once my grandfather had realised his mistake and he had come back looking for me only to find that I was not where he had left me! And the panic button had been pressed. Also with the ubiquitous cell phone being unheard of in those times, communication was not an easy thing. Thankfully my mom and grandmother who were just on their way to lodge a report, called up my aunt before doing it and she delivered the good news.
Little did I understand the fuss created that night. I was a hero! They didnt expect me to get lost did they! But today when I look back I realise the tension that would have been prevalent in the house that evening.
My sense of direction has never let me down, be it in Harihar, or in Madras, or in Bangalore, or be it even in Amsterdam, or Paris, or Rome!!!
posted by Sriniketh S at
9:17 PM
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