It was quite an unexpected encounter
Too happening for a “Naariyal Paani” wala break to say the least
The occasional cold bliss of sukhna lake was doing near to little justice to the scorching heat of Chandigarh
When this nearly 60-year-old turban-clad Sardarji came in search of a paper glass for his grandson aged close to 8.
Frustrated he was, this grandpa of all sorts,
ranting to the shopkeeper about how the little chap couldn’t sip his frooti from the straw.
Patiently murmuring, he squeezed the tetra pack to get the most of the juice into the paper glass through the tiny straw hole, while the little one tapped his feet in absolute restlessness;
It was a scene of mutual groans.
The shopkeeper’s reaction to the entire play wasn’t satisfactory enough, so the storyteller decides to turn towards me ;
At this point of furiosity,I chose to be the nodding spectator with occasional awkward smiles and affirmations of understanding.
While the senior fulminated off in scales, telling me the tales of how in his days he could chew off an entire cane of sugarcane unlike the incompetent frooti chap of his, the Junior eyed me from his slightly lowered black shades, Frivously shaking his legs back and forth, a restless choreography that only heavens could explain.
The frooti was done with and so was my cinderella time to this party of chaos.
The veteran bid me goodbye and the amateur grinned and hopped back; throwing the sunglasses on the floor and restarting the veteran’s rehearsed radio gig.
A few miles ahead, I saw them again, this time with their extended family.
With his chin down, hands folded, and cheeks as red as his mini turban, he was protesting against his mom’s command to walk another stretch.
I see the senior enter the scene, give the Junior a candy, a kiss on the forehead, and wipe the tiny tears off the cheeks.
He bends on a knee and offers a piggyback to the toddler; who ecstatically pulls out his sunglasses and takes the coveted seat.
They walk towards the lake, to relish the sunset.
I hear the mother yell out
“Nana ka laadla, Pyaar ne bigaad rakha hai! “
Grandpa’s darling, spoiled by love
Illustration by : Anisha Mathew
