When we look at the past, the old memories seem rewinding. There was a time when Doordarshan was the only channel and Chitrahaar the best program – that came every Wednesday and Friday at around 8.00 PM.
I also remember that television was available in limited houses and they had their own attitude. Whenever we children used to knock their door for watching movie, we were seen as aliens from other planets. Often, we were told the electricity was not there, though we could hear the sound of television clearly. We were also stubborn and waited right outside the door for the electricity to come, which had never gone. Finally, we were allowed with lots of restrictions. We never felt embarrassed – since our interest was being met.
I remember when the electricity used to go, we were the happiest children. Our intuitions were much stronger than GPS connections. Without any message or WhatsApp or Instagram or mobile calls, we all used to assemble in the middle of the park to play hide & seek. The night without light remained most appropriate opportunity for all of us.
In the hide & seek game, we secretly used to select the one who was most eager to play with us, but we all never wanted. Like gangsters, we all used to strategically select him to become the den and find all of us. But gradually, he could also understand that we all were actually making fool of him purposely.
One day, I was that unlucky person who was chosen as den. Unfortunately, I could not find anyone for about good 45-minutes. Finally, I decided to head-back straight to my home.
Now the fun began. Not finding me searching them, they all started searching me – shouting my name fanatically.
Since they could not find me anywhere, scared and worried, they approached my house to inform my parents. It was a hilarious situation when they found me enjoying TV and having some snacks.
That was it – No one spoke to me for about one week. I was made to stand outside the playing area in the most unwanted position. Even if I tried speaking to one of my closest friends, they all would scare me with broad eyes and ask me not to come near. With a lot of apologies and a promise to never repeat it again, I was pardoned and brought back into the team, but was made den again.
During those days, we never carried grudges or hard-feelings forward. We were kids, didn’t understand manipulations, politics, or cunningness. We were simple, though naughty but forgiving.
It all seems so nostalgic and unbelievable. Thinking of those days brings a feeling of being old.
If I were a clock, I swear, I would have frozen that time forever.
Sometimes, I think of meeting all those old friends. I can see many people searching for old buddies and finding them as well, they are very lucky. But I have not been in touch with my old hide & seek friends. I searched them on Facebook and other social media handles as well, but could not find them. I know the reason as well – all I knew was their nick names – Pappu, Bittu, Nikki, Kalu, Bhalu, Rinku, Guddu, Gittu. My own nick name was Pony. Now how do I find them on social media. I never knew their school names or surnames.
I do want to find those old friends who ate my tiffin before lunch time and put water in my school-bag – while I slept in the class. I want to find them, since they also stood in front of me when someone bullied me, but later ran away, leaving me alone to take their share of kicks as well. Finally, I do want to find those friends of mine, who made me do their homework and still I scored better marks than them.
Time seems to have ditched all of us. We have become practical. We have become independent. We no more are dependent on family and friends.
Trust me, if I were a clock, I swear, I would have frozen that time forever.
One day I was at Delhi airport and I saw a gentleman coming straight towards me. Feeling a little uncomfortable, I rudely looked at him. He smiled and asked me, “Bhaiya are you Pavan”. I nodded in surprise. I could not recognize him. He asked me many times – “Recognize me Bhaiya, I am meeting you after 25-30 years”. I was still surprised and felt embarrassed. Finally, he told me his name. I had no clue even now. Then he told me his nick name – “Bhanu”. Oh god, he was younger son of my aunt. I hugged him. We began to talk about how was everyone in the family and how he has been doing professionally.
While sitting in the flight back home, I was thinking about how everything had changed. Once a family, today as strangers – once separated at birth, remained separated till today.
I realised, some people preserve memories of good old golden days, and some are under so much under pressure, that they have no space for the memories.
As a child, we all wanted to grow as quickly as possible. We all wanted to get into the shoes of our father. We acted like an adult, not knowing, one day, we would miss our childhood.
Finally, if I were a clock, I swear, I would have frozen that time forever.