The train blowed its final horn and started leaving the tracks submerged in the clouds of the thick smoke, marching the pistons on its own beats of rock. His hands motioned to follow his wife & son's, his eyes never loosing the sight of the luggage yet to secure.
At last he was onboard for the journey of his life time, to a place somewhere far off across mountains he has never seen, except in the dreams that he has been seeing all his life through babuji's eyes. And whenever he tried to recall, when and how it all started... all he could feel was the warmth of babuji's hands playing with his little fingers and the cosy lap sitting in which he has heard for the first time about his plans for him to be there someday.
'babuji, will there be TV to watch Humlog'...his curiousity applying the innocence has found a yes in the smile.
'and can Ayu come with me there'...his eyes were now looking for the familiar smile.
Suddenly with the whistle, the train of thoughts brought him back to the last night in his porch.
'Papa, but why are you going there'...little Ajay had asked him when he finished taking account of everything with him and after him. He couldn't recall if babuji gave him any answer for this. All he knew that he wanted him to go. And why 'why' had not been important to him to know, he couldn't recall.
'Ajju, I am going there to bring you the mountain train, so that when you go there you can go comfortably', while lifting him with his both hands, he could also feel the weight of a familiar smile on his face.
'But papa, I don't want to go there, I can play my video games at home', little mind protested indifferent of the smile, and after a little struggle got success in slipping out of the craving hands.
Not sounding disappointed he smiled back, 'No beta, you must go there once, like I am going. Its a place to be. That's what you have to prepare yourself for in life. And don't worry I am going to help you with this, and more than your grandpa helped me with.'
In the silence that followed, the words said it all. It was between him and babuji. His life had been instrumental to be the cause for babuji's victory, and this had earned him reason and the rights to expect the same in return from his son. Besides he's gonna help Ajju in that, and afterall its for him only. What am I to gain?
Once again he's been thinking the same, his thoughts matching the rhythm of the train. He knew its the cable, movies and comp. to blame for their share in spoiling the kids. For all his life, he could remember only one time babuji taking all of 'em to a circus, that too when some relative insisted. Yes, he had also been once to theatre with a neighbour. But then he had only one son. How could he deny him of the pleasures, he slogged so hard to afford, knowing well that in return he has been letting go his time past beyond to avail 'em for himself.
...to be contd.
At last he was onboard for the journey of his life time, to a place somewhere far off across mountains he has never seen, except in the dreams that he has been seeing all his life through babuji's eyes. And whenever he tried to recall, when and how it all started... all he could feel was the warmth of babuji's hands playing with his little fingers and the cosy lap sitting in which he has heard for the first time about his plans for him to be there someday.
'babuji, will there be TV to watch Humlog'...his curiousity applying the innocence has found a yes in the smile.
'and can Ayu come with me there'...his eyes were now looking for the familiar smile.
Suddenly with the whistle, the train of thoughts brought him back to the last night in his porch.
'Papa, but why are you going there'...little Ajay had asked him when he finished taking account of everything with him and after him. He couldn't recall if babuji gave him any answer for this. All he knew that he wanted him to go. And why 'why' had not been important to him to know, he couldn't recall.
'Ajju, I am going there to bring you the mountain train, so that when you go there you can go comfortably', while lifting him with his both hands, he could also feel the weight of a familiar smile on his face.
'But papa, I don't want to go there, I can play my video games at home', little mind protested indifferent of the smile, and after a little struggle got success in slipping out of the craving hands.
Not sounding disappointed he smiled back, 'No beta, you must go there once, like I am going. Its a place to be. That's what you have to prepare yourself for in life. And don't worry I am going to help you with this, and more than your grandpa helped me with.'
In the silence that followed, the words said it all. It was between him and babuji. His life had been instrumental to be the cause for babuji's victory, and this had earned him reason and the rights to expect the same in return from his son. Besides he's gonna help Ajju in that, and afterall its for him only. What am I to gain?
Once again he's been thinking the same, his thoughts matching the rhythm of the train. He knew its the cable, movies and comp. to blame for their share in spoiling the kids. For all his life, he could remember only one time babuji taking all of 'em to a circus, that too when some relative insisted. Yes, he had also been once to theatre with a neighbour. But then he had only one son. How could he deny him of the pleasures, he slogged so hard to afford, knowing well that in return he has been letting go his time past beyond to avail 'em for himself.
...to be contd.
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