Monday, July 14, 2008

Budi in deep thoughts



My infatuation for pretty girls was my undoing. We lived in that flat for another two months, but I was virtually under house arrest. In the day time the front door was kept shut, only to be opened in the evening, when we came out on the balcony. But I was not totally free. My leash was put on my neck to restrain me if I tried to sneak out again.

I missed Juthimala. She lived in the flat above us. Every time she passed through our balcony, she peeped through the window. Getting her scent I would come running, that was all. She was the only person outside family who touched me without any fear. She also tickled me under my arms and behind my ears. Who would not fall for such pleasure, so I did respond too, for which my name was linked with her and everyone started calling her Budimala. Am I sounding filmy?

Babididi planned weekend outings for me to compensate for my house captivity. I remember the time when we all went to the Lodi Park. I was let loose there in the open fields. I raced to my hearts content and we played hide n seek. When we were hungry Chotudidi gave us an ice-cream treat. I was so exhausted that day that I collapsed on the bed after we returned home. When everyone was enjoying evening tea with samosas (my favourite), I didn’t have the energy to get up and claim my share.

Though some people call me ill mannered but in my defense I would say that I behave quite normally with people who ignore my presence. I take it as a complement, in other words, respect for another living being, rather than having a bias that we are a menace. And I have something to be proud of myself, when my presence becomes indispensable for escorting my didis to the airport, when they have to catch a midnight flight. I feel so proud when I see myself not only the watch guard of the house but also the bodyguard.

I remember the times, when I had escorted Chotudidi to the airport with the whole family. It was a midnight flight to Bangkok. I was aghast when everyone returned back to the taxi leaving Chotudi alone with her bag and baggage. I was aghast thinking who will take care of her and was inconsolable throughout the journey back home. But I have started understanding those things now and become emotionally strong too. Now I enjoy the night scenes, with tall buildings glittering with colorful lights, vizzing past on both sides of the road. I gape in wonder.

My ordeal ended when we shifted to our new house. Quite in a mess still, smelling of paints, lime, varnish, turpentine, floor polishing stuff but still my sweet home.

Here are some pictures of those days…

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Budibooo
Your childhood pictures are so sweet. I feel like looking at them every hour. Why did you grow big? And thank you for being our guard during our night trips to the airport.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! quite an album Isn't that Laxmi - with whom my relationship was 'aadae - kanchkolaye'!! Cute i look there !!( excuse my self adulation) Oh cruel adulthood!! where is the charm..I am called a goonda and shone the CHORI (cane) so often.

bring back oh bring back oh bring back those times to me.... Amen