In this Holi I got chance to visit my village where I was born, a place where my initial and most important education took place. Many memories are related to that place “Mardanpur”. These memories are my treasure. If forget these, I will kill child in me.
A sudden thought came in my mind which was good excuse to tell the people. It was grace of accident what I had just before the two days of Holi. I was not supposed to go over anyone’s place and no one was going to complain me that “Kumar tum Allahabad me the aur milne bhi nahi aa sake.”So I had a ton of time to spend according to my will.
I was not able to ride bike so I asked my younger brother to come with me and ride the bike. He did not enquire anything but I can understand from his facial expression that he has a big plan with his friend and I am spoiling that. I asked him, “Koi kam ho to mat jao mai sonu ke sath chala jata hun.” “Nahi bhai ji chalta hun kam to mai kar hi lunga,” he replied.
After having momma’s permission we were on the way and after 20 minutes, we were at the outside of our village. I had not been there for 4 years; so many things have changed so it was hard to recognize the place. As we entered in village men, women and children were looking at us as we are alien. I waved to those faces what I recognized. Everything which exists but corroded with time, were reminding me the flash back of my childhood.
The primary school where my initial education took place has collapsed, it is not school no more, It is only remains. Its wall was made off clay and roof from soil plate, it had only one room. Here I came in contact with the soil and nature, the neem’s tree, under which my class used to held, became a giant tree.
The pond’s bank, where I, my cousin and other children used to play, has been occupied by hoses. This pond’s bank used to be our favorite place, except playing here we used to chase dragonfly and butterfly. Sometimes we became successful in our chase and sometimes we fail. But in next attempt we used to apply extra effort to catch them. Catching fish, from pond, used to be patience’s work. This pond taught us to keep patience and wait for next trap.
My brother stopped before Tau’s house. I touched the tai’s feet as I entered into house and sat on the floor. Tai chided me,”Pradeep uth jamin se nahi to kapda kharab hoi jayi” I response,” Amma rehne do mai thik hun bahut aaram mil rha hai chot lagi hai chair par nahi baith sakta” and spread my leg a little bit more. Just before my eyes Baba’s picture were hanging on the wall in a big frame decorated with artificial garland and pearls. I was not in village when Baba left the world. When I returned home and did not find Baba anywhere and asked to my granny,” Amma Baba kaha gaye hai.” My granny simply replied,”Baba Himalaya par puja karne gaye hai.” That time Himalaya was unknown place for me and I made a myth that who goes Himalaya comes after a many days. Whenever I remember Baba’s repeat the same question and used to get same reply and sometimes used to see picture. Baba always used to look at me smile through the glass whenever I saw. I always used to miss Baba’s piggy back ride and toffee.
“Tai brought some gujhiya and papad,” and ordered me to take and when I refused she chided and added some more plate of samosa and dahi bada as punishment and also complained about my health and advice to take care of this.
I saw at Baba’s picture, Baba was still smiling and looking at me. I wanted to have piggy back ride again and missing those toffee. The darkness was falling rapidly and my brother was seeing me. I read his eyes and asked him,” Bas 5 min, chal rhe hai.”
While we were returning, I asked him to stop and I got off and headed towards a narrow bridge through which only one person can pass. I still remember I used to fear to move alone through that bridge and to overcome my fear my elder brother Sandeep Bhai always used to take me on the middle of bridge and left me alone and from the bridge end used to beacon me to come and I always used to weep and scream mummy mummy and try to move gradually. But fear has gone I was standing on that bridge and seeing that the bottom is not more than 10 ft. below. Sandeep Bhai teaching was always tough for me then. He taught me to overcome fear and see beyond this. He made me daredevil, now a day height and speed is most lovable things.
My eyes were trying to search those trees under which my cousin and I used to take rest while returning from the school. Those trees used to be our best companion in firing summer. They used to prevent us from aggressive sun and help us to keep safe our bare feet. My cousin used to run rapidly from one tree to another tree’s shadow and I used to follow his lead. And these days, even on the occasion of Holi, he journeys one city to another city to grow his construction company and I am residing in another city to have higher education.
On the way I was missing both those trees which have been cut down and my cousin who was in Varanasi at that time. These are the childhood’s memories some is painful what I don’t want to face, some is reality of struggle and some are funny moments what I think and smile. It is the journey of gaining experience from the day we born and the day I am living, doesn’t matter how it was but gave me good learning what I am going to keep safe.
