I Remember…

I remember, I remember the house where I was born the little window where the sun came peeping in at morn, it never came a wink too soon nor brought too long a day but now I often wish the nights had borne my breath away…. these lines that I remember from my textbook make me nostalgic even today…

The poems were the heart of school education & I often wonder if the teachers felt so. Today when I hear of teachers not doing their job or having no work I wonder if it is really true?? Haven’t we wasted our entire life there??? Our youth,so many long hours & so many hardships later if …. but we have been honest & our students are our testimony.

I am forever indebted to my teachers who have taught me so well, whatever faults are mine alone. The language teachers instilled such a love for it that whatever I have taught so far is due to them. The content I could read, but expression & choice of the words is their gift.

Staying in a closed colony gave the security that very few have today. Day long playing was the motto. In Diwali or summer holidays rarely have I left Nashik, so friends were very important. We had homework that was hurriedly completed in the last two days. I have forgotten to submit it on the first day! The house was own by Tai Deshpande who was very strict & playing around the house was prohibited. She stayed on the first floor with her son & daughter-in-law,Two tenants below. Agarkar aaji & Dr Dixit. There were three rooms.2 rooms & a kitchen. The toilets were across the backyard.Getting up late & everyone saw you going to the loo.What was ambrassing was when you went there twice or thrice. Innovative that my mother was she had managed a special chair for children.Being a doctor, hats off to her, she found a way to go about in minimum resources possible.

I remember when Shamboo had his finger in the door & we were confused if the door had to be opened or release his finger when the door is closed. We knew of operations & I was sure he will have only four fingers now.We also had a bad experience with the domestic help who tied both of us to the cot so she could work. Shambhu found a way to loosen the ropes but I kept wondering why this is happening to me.Later when she gave us to eat I found it difficult to swallow. No matter how good the food is ,it’s the sentiment that counts! Even today I can’t eat in awkward situations no matter what is offered. Fortunately, Aai discovered our plight soon & the maid’s services were terminated. Years later I saw her selling Tamarinds outside the Nehru Park & pitied her. Your actions decide your fate. Isn’t it?

Then we went to ‘ Giake Sadan’ the house close by. It was a bigger house. Vaibhav was added to the family. Two rooms for the family. Kitchen & bedroom.Passage & toilet block was common. Three rooms for patients. Waiting, operating & ward. When there were no patients, we would play there. First dining table was purchased with a sunmica top & we were thrilled. First theft took place,from the window a thorny branch of boganvel was used. On a stool a stack of clothes was neatly piled, it was in disarray. One of Shambhu’s shorts was missing. Next came Tommy, our dog, who was also stolen but we got him back. His story later. From primary school to secondary school this was our home. Telephone & fridge were in the clinic so you had to walk there if ice was needed or a message was to be given.

Then we shifted to “Sudhanshu”. Major events in my life took place here. Graduation, going to Nagar for PG, Shambu going to BJ Medical, Vaibhav going to GDC all transitions took place here. The house was ready in 1972-73,but we were used to Gole colony & the shifting was stalled. After Shambhu declared about his marriage, my marriage was fixed. That year from march to december…. engagement, declaration of BEd result, my teaching job, marriage… all events took place. Not on that day but gradually the visits became few & very rare after 2000, Vaibhav’s wedding.

Whenever time permitted I would visit with Durga. With her school & my college going to Sudhanshu was rare. We would talk on phone. The next house ‘Bhagyashree’ completed it’s 50 years recently. Achievements in life took place here. what had remained to be learnt in life was completed here. It gave me a new purpose in life. My mother is an excellent cook, so was my mother-in-law. Now my daughters have taken up the mantle.Where am I ??? A taster to their dishes. If I am getting ready made goodies , what more do I need?

A place to live, share, enjoy, cherish… what do we need more in life? Enjoy!