For old time's sake

An ode to my first watch

When I was in eighth class, my father gifted me my first watch. A Timex. This was literally my first watch. I dont remember if I had worn any fancy, plastic, digital kid watches before that.

It was love at first sight. I had never seen any beauty like that before. My mom had an old HMT watch-that classic gold dial with black leather strap. And I had never liked that watch. Mine was black metallic dial with pale gold interiors and diamond-like crystals at the four cardinal points. The strap was black of silicon-like material with horizontal engravings along its length. It sat pretty in my left hand and I was ecstatic.

The watch came with a stand. Something like the below image with a glass cover. I still remember, after coming from school I would dutifully strap off my watch and adjust it in its stand. This was my daily routine during my school years. One of my relative noticed me doing it and intrigued, asked me why I do it. "Out of habit, I suppose." I told her. The thinking logically, I answered "this way the watch doesnt get any dust". She thought about it and told me "No. By putting that watch in its stand you ensure that you can see the time on the watch from afar. which would not be possible if , instead, it lies." Touche, but I definitely didnt gather her point as my dainty little watch sits in the top shelf adjacent to my bed and I had a big clock in the same room.

the case in question (Image courtesy: Google images)

The watch came with a warranty of 2 years and I remember very correctly just a month passed after its 2 year anniversary, the cells went down. As the watch was not purchased from my town and the cells were not available there , I waited for good 2-3 months before I could get it repaired.

That watch has seen thousands of academic hours spent in school and college, standed the pressure test of many exams and been a witness to many triumphs and frustrations. My 10th board exams, 12th Board exams, college semesters, competitive exams- the watch can proudly say "been there, done that".More than 10 years that watch sat elegantly on my left hand.

In those 10 years, the batteries were replaced a no. of times, the strap was changed twice and one of the diamond crystals fell off but the watch remained a sturdy companion. That watch begin my love affair with timepieces. When I got job, I fell in love with another watch, a Titan Raga this time. This new watch replaced the old one and my first watch finally caught dust in the spare watch box. But as they say, the first one is always special.

Lessons to remember

The trip was planned two day in advance. The weather had been nice for these ywo days and we were looking forward to a sunny weather on the day of trip as well. The morning of the trip begun late. and by 8'o clock when everyone of us was ready, I looked outside. It was a cold grey day and had started drizzling. My first reaction was that of anger and annoyance. "Why!!! Its raining. Why does it have to rain today only. Its going to be a cold day.Bah. Why???!!" ZZ was non-chalent but wondered "It seems that it is going to rain continuously". Mummy was cool and pondered how nice it would have been if the weather were nice like the previous two days. I usually blame my irritable behaviour to my father. Oh its always better when you think you are not responsible for your behavious but its the fault of your genes;). Papa in his calm demeanour said " Its good that it has rained. It will provide the much needed moisture to the soil. Let's wait for some time and then start this journey."
Oh and we did start the journey within 15 minutes and the rain left us midway to our destination and the sun shone later.
And I was left wondering of the positive thinking of my father. Oh high time that I stop complaining and act positive.

Complimented

      Your teacher praising your work in front of class:"Excellent", you yourself praising your work to yourself: "Super star" and overhearing your parents praising you: "Priceless"

       It was a week day,I suppose some 18-20 years back. I had woken up but still not woken up.You know what I mean. I had woken up but my eyes after a glance on clock have closed again and were not willing to open.I still do the same. Old habits die hard. I was still in the warm embrace of my quilt. In the room, beside the bed there was a study desk where I used to do my homework. That evening before, I had done my homework and my notebooks were still lying in the table stacked one over another. My parents were sitting in the bed looking over the table, having their morning cup of tea.They had their back towards me.With a squint eye I had seen them and closed my eyes and trying to catch a nap or two before they wake me up.

        "What a neat work!!' gushed my father to mummy as he turned the pages of my notebook. I think, it was either my Geography or Science notebook where we have to draw diagrams/ maps along with answers. My mummy gave a happy "hmm...vaakyi.. Yes her handwriting is good and..blah blah" as she along with my father watches over my handiwork.

          This was the first time I have heard my parents praise me (in front of me). I didnt leapt over over my bed hearing this praise from my own parents. Instead, I smiled and savoured it. I covered my face under the quilt. In my bed, under the quilt I was grinning and beaming so proud.

.

Realization:2

The best thing one can say to the father of the bride is “The marriage arrangement is great. We like it.”
And then don’t forget to see the pride and satisfaction in his smile.

She

So she came at my place to meet me. Its been summer vacations at her school and she was headstrong that she ll be coming all alone to stay with me during her vacations.

She came on the set date and we passed the first day chatting and gorging on the sweets she had brought for me. For the coming days I had planned that we ll be going to morning-walks, something she’s really enthusiastic about and something which I hope, will help me make an early-riser. We couldn’t manage to get up early next day so we skipped the first day walk but we compensated for it with evening-walk. We were walking, I was telling about my life here and she was observing the surrounding when I caught her looking longingly at the children on the swings in the park in front of my building. We kept on talking and walking until my feet started demanding rest and came back home.

Next morning , I woke up at 6.00,too late for a morning walk and found her bed lying empty. Thinking that she might be in bathroom, waited for some moments and then went to check there but she wasn’t there too. The front door was open. I wondered where could she have gone, keeping the door unlocked. She might be walking in the terrace, I wondered, so rushed there but no she wasn’t there. From there, I saw somebody swinging alone in the park down .

I laughed to myself, at the little pleasures we enjoy and ran smiling all the way to park to join my Mummy playing on swing.

Its these little joys that sum up the bliss of life. They say, in every (wo)man’s heart lives a kid, so true…