The most cherished childish dream!

It's a full nostalgic drama: being a part of the world, trying to make friends, protecting mini me's reputation, trying to sound mature to keep up with adults, climbing walls upside down! Nothing ever compared to mom's hugs and cuddles when it came to finding peace and tranquility. It was always a pleasure to eat the food she made - aloo tamatar and aloo paratha being my all-time favorites! As the last resort for things I couldn't talk about with papa, I have been pleading and confiding in her! 

Papa- the most loving and caring man in the world! My eyes used to swell with tears even when I saw him getting out of breath after climbing stairs. A little part of me ached with pain as I tried to figure out how to comfort him. In response to my late night tantrums after watching my brothers eat the last groundnut and not giving me any, he would lovingly hold me and say: "Just tell me what you want? I would ask the shopkeeper to open the shop for my darling daughter! ”. Each birthday always started with his adorable hugs, swinging me in air and kissing with purest love. I was always way more important than my brothers!

Brothers- ah! The naughtiest lot always harassing, making fun of me and finding ways to make my life a hell! I never received my rakhi gifts until I cried vehemently for it! Being brother’s sis, I always got privilege of running after kites across connected rooftops of mohalla for the whole afternoon. I played cricket with whole boys gang, and meddled with cycles and bikes with them. A big part of me being ‘ladka type’ owes to them! 

Playing football, kho-kho, badminton, and volleyball was mandatory in school. In contrast, gilli-danda, kanche, gitte (5 stone game), pithu, stapu, and chupan-chhupai (hide and seek) were favorites in the colony.

I don't know if I have an exact best day. But, that little girl, with a boyish haircut, in floral frocks (especially blue), donning a free spirit and a full-of-life character was the best part! That cute, brave, and innocent girl neither knew the charm of a girl nor the flamboyancy of a boy. She didn't know gender roles were a thing. She had no filters to her words and emotions, loving every bit of her life.

Me spread in these different nostalgias - that is my favorite childhood memory!