Nightin-tale

I am not sure what time it is. Although it is dark, the light from the street is pouring through the half-opened blinds on the window. I look to my right and see my parents in deep torpor. There is no clock in the bedroom because the ticking disturbs my mom’s sleep. Not that it matters because I don’t know how to tell the time yet.

Today was unusually chilly for a Californian October. And sometimes the proximity to the beach does not help either. It looks gusty outside with the winds rustling the leaves on the tree. The heater is on tonight and probably feels cozy and nice inside the house had it not been for layers of clothing and blankets around me. But you know parents!! They think babies feel warm and comfortable when being baked in an oven; Of course, I don’t do anything about it because I don't talk yet.

Okay, coming back to the present – I kick my blanket off and it makes me feel better. But it is still too warm and I’m parched. I don’t think the heat in the room is bothering mom and dad because they look as if they are in a drugged coma. But a little sound from me and involuntarily mommy rolls to my side and pats me gently. Her eyes are still closed!

Now I am awake and the sweater over the night dress is making me really uncomfortable. I fuss a little more and make a louder noise. My mom picks me up tries to calm me. Poor thing, she still is in a daze. I am starting to get desperate and I know that something stronger is needed to make her understand.

With tears running down my cheeks, I cry out loud "Want water" and it translates into a coded bawl “Waaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh". aThe drama wakes my dad up and lights come on. And my parents start talking among themselves as to what is wrong.

After about 20 minutes of discussing the causes of my agitation and ways to calm me; finally the realization dawns onto them that it might be a little too warm. The layers of clothes are off me and that makes me feel a lot better. But there is still a little matter of the dryness in my mouth. Add another 15 minutes of singing lullabies and couple of rounds of coded cries, and ‘yippee’ they get it - My sippy cup!!

Slowly the excitement subsides and I calm down. And everything in the world is back to normal. Just before I space-out and continue on my dreams, I hear the soft sighs of relief in the background. And I know that mom and dad must have already lost their sleep and it is going to take them another hour to finally catch up!

Well, what can I say? I am a cute little kid and it is just another typical night in the baby household!!

Old world charm

I was watching one of the old Hindi movies a couple of days ago and got to thinking on how movies have always reflected on the pace of life in the society and of course how the good old stuff always brings back the pleasant memories.

While we were growing up, the pace of life was unhurried and everybody seemed to have all the time in the world. And it mirrored in the movies made then. I guess the reason we enjoy them even today because we knew and experienced the lifestyle.

Even though a there was a change from our parent’s generation to ours, it was a slow progression. Maybe that is why we do relate a little with our parent’s reminisces. Our childhood of 2 channel TV shows and our parent’s radio programs weren’t all that different in terms of the feeling and experience.

Since the turn of the century, the world has seen a tremendous change. In the last 7 years we seemed to have zoomed into the future at supersonic speed. Sometimes I feel a generation gap between me and the teens today and I’m still in my 20’s (although only for another 5 months!). So, it is probably going to be much more difficult for our children to relate to our memories.

One day our kids are going to grow up and look back on their childhood and reminisce about their good old days of John Abraham movies, theatres and probably cable TV with only 100 channels J

But what is definitely true is that the old world charm for each generation holds its own magic.
And here is to the ever green and favorite line of parents and grand parents "Hamare zamane mein!”