Changu Mangu ki Jodi

This is the tale of two innocent little tots. Well, if you saw them together, their boisterous mannerisms and acts, u would surely need to redefine innocence….but that’s what children are inherently. After all if kids are not allowed to be kids….who are?

They discovered each other in one of the condominium homes in phase V, where they resided….and struck a chord from the beginning. The bond grew stronger, exponentially, by each passing day, prompting the parents to evaluate, if all was technically well…..afterall ‘dostana’ had just released and was a top of mind recall for us. The two started spending more and more time in the company of each other, sharing their toys, books, colors, accessories….cycling, racing, sporting, eating, drinking (beverages, of course, at this age) and an unending list of activities that engaged them vehemently together, as neighbors remarked furtively ‘Yeh fevicol ka mazboot jod hai, tootega nahin’…

The duo had become famous…err infamous in the complex, as the banter of the other children suggested they needed to be weary of them, who were ever ready to emulate their favorite superheroes, spiderman, superman etc. to battle any bullying brethren. Other children vied to be in the company of this ubiquitous duo, as they inspired all others to dance, sing, sprint, cheer and have loads of fun at the community park.

They were fastidious to bypass all sophisticated modes of communication from one home to another, as their shriek and yelling exchanges across the balconies, resounded in the entire complex. They were quick to break into fisticuffs with each other, and hug and embrace each other the very next minute….and what’s more, team up against parents to thwart their attempts to dictate disciplinarian norms. Their moms had vowed never to take them together to a mall, for some very embarrassing moments they have had to face, with the two kids unleashing their bundle of energy in the eateries, toy shops, corridors, play pen etc. also posing a big threat to some of the other parents, who in their garb of executing extremist parental control, were tightly clutching on to their offsprings so as not to expose them to ‘contraband’ behavior.

When one bought a gift for himself, he invariably bought another for his pal. They possessed identical T-shirts, caps, toys, sunglasses, accessories etc to an extent that they had this uncanny ability to time their visit to the loo at the same juncture….such was the camaraderie they shared!

But destiny wasn’t approving of this budding friendship, and the two playmates had to part, one relocating to Jaipur and the other staying back. They were brave to face the decision, and unanimously announced with a bold candor that they were all set to make new friends. But one can’t help, but notice, that the chirpiness has given way to solitude, the blank stare across the balcony enquiring, ‘mumma when will Aryan be back’. Children are very adaptable and adjustable, and mould themselves effortlessly into any novel situation…..but they do have a mind as well that is loaded with multifarious questions and not easily appeased with the answers….they do have a heart that has embedded in it’s deepest recesses, the wonderful memories of good times with a chuddy buddy. It is indeed tough on the two, the pain of disjunction is not one that they can handle with ease, as I notice the subtle dispay of overwhelming emotions at times. Let’s pray that the two are able to bond with other children and make new friends, and also find each other very soon as their paths cross again….changu mangu ki jodi salamat rahe….Amen!!