I was in deep
sleep. I do not know what this jet-lag means! Therefore day, night, time
difference all these had no meaning. When I woke up the plane was still flying
high up in the sky. Most of the people were deep asleep.
Having
stepped into aircraft for the first time, I enjoyed travelling from Mumbai to
Mauritius and then to Madagascar. The food in the aircraft had little appeal to
me. I found people drinking colorful liquid one glass after another and asking
for more.
My father
told me to keep quiet and enjoy apple juice. I was a bit scared to have that
too because if I drink more I may have to disturb my father to take me to the
toilet again and again. My mother was fast asleep as she was tired rather too
tired, as for the past three months she was working, over working to pack and
find our home in Nangal Village in Punjab, North India.
I was trying
to forget my friends Somesh, Atul, Pinky, Gurmeet (the Sikh boy with turban!)
all around six to eight years age. How can I forget them, they were my buddies
always ready to roll out their cycles to go on Cycle safari all around our
colony! We were feared by most of the elders as they were too scared to take
out their cars when we were cycling! They would ask their aunties or old girl
friends to stand out and stop us if they were parking or reverse their cars.
From early
morning school bus journey to evening home return and then evening cycle
safaris after mandatory tuition sessions we all had great fun! Most of the
times, I had my snacks and evening dinner with my neighbors’, either in
Somesh’s house or Pinky’s place. I hate eating alone at home that too in the
company of Dadu (Grandfather) as he would start advising how to eat and how not
to waste food. In my friend’s place it was fun as the TV would be on we could
eat whatever placed on the plate with Pokey man, Dore man and Spiderman’s
company! Dadu I miss you and I am sorry today I junked the sandwich in the
plane as I found the same stale!
We all spoke
Punjabi, Hindi and little English. The day spent in Mumbai was fun. Juhu beech
was for the first time I saw a sea! Arabian sea big, massive eternal roar of
waves kept me mesmerized. I could touch the sea water; taste the sea water…mmm
very salty! I had good Pav Bhaji of Mumbai. That was yummy. Then we went to airport early morning. From then on I felt like, I have been blind
folded and left all along. A few spoke Hindi. None spoke Punjabi. I could
hardly understand languages like English, French, Malagasy etc.
The air hostesses
were kind. I could two gift bags which were meant to children busy in the air.
But I could hardly read anything therefore played with the model plane which
kept me busy for some time.
On landing
in Madagascar, I was taken to our home which was very nice. But there were
hardly any Somesh, Atul, Pinky, Gurmeet to play with. There is a factory, a few
Indian uncles fortunately speaking Hindi. Apart from that there are servants
who speak a funny language called Malagasy.
I tried to
make a marking on the road with bricks to play hip-hop. The servants were happy
to join me to play the same. But stopped on seeing the bald boss of my father
General Manager calling “Pathron (boss) is coming!”.
I was
sleeping in the afternoon. From our window, I could hear the sound of children
playing. They may be Malagasy children but their playing sound has no language.
It is like the chirping of birds which has no language, universal language.
I have made
up my mind, when my father comes I am going to tell him to drop me near the
play ground every day morning. I am not go back to India too soon. But I will
get local Somesh, Atul, Pinky, Gurmeet … They may be called David, Andray, Onja,
Diana and Ianja…I do not mind. My circle will build up and I shall be happy,
rather than staying all alone and brooding over my plight!
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