negotiating with my confusion (the voices in my head won't keep quiet damn it!)

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

peeking

Eases himself gingerly upon his favourite chair - old and well worn. Places the writing board accross the chair and mumbles to himself...just for a second or three. Takes out his sheets of paper, his parker pen of 17 years - filled with his favourite brill navy blue ink. He fidgets about for a moment as he thinks about what needs to be done. A smile upon his wrinked brow as he hums a barely audible tune. Starts the writing, graceful and neat with his newspaper and filter kaapi by his side.
The little boy watches, peeking and piqued wondering what the lean and withered old man is upto. Looks of innocence, actions so mischevious the little boy watches with glee. It appears funny to him how everyday at 10 after his morning shower and prayers the old man sits down... to write (?!). The boy of 7, feels excited like he's a top secret spy... Til amma comes over and tells the boy to drink his horlicks and go play with the kids outside.
The little boy soon forgets and decides to indulge in a game of street cricket for 3. An hour later he comes, sweaty and beat hungry like lion the grouch.
The boy sees the old man again and decides to ask him "whats are you doing?". But Venky mama says "poi kulichitu vaa" and is distracted in vehement refusals. Slouches the boy disgruntled as he heads towards water and soap... suddenly, a moment of fun causes him to smile and mischevious thoughts seem to fill the mind.
Tip toes the little spy towards the wise one, and gently taps him. Old man turns to his left and then to his right and sees no one there. The boy pats himself on the back, thinks he outsmarted the fox, as he hears "deiiii, enna da panra!". The boy springs up, guffaws galore and the old man hugs him and gives him a toothless kiss. Ruffles his hair and talks so kind. The boys asks him, "what are you doing?", to which the old man says "nothing". Probes the boy till amma gets annoyed. To the land of soap and bubbles it is, for today is a big day. Everyday of the life of a 7 year is big. He will soon forget about the writings at the desk as he has more important things on his mind. But the old man smiles and continues his way, for we should always remember the best.
Many years later, a day to remember... the old man lies on his bed. People are grieving and it's all deceiving as his liver and kidney are giving away. The old man is sedated and everything is a blur, as he mixes the present with the past. He tells the boy no longer a boy, about the days of spyings and writings. The young man smiles now, memories unfold... 'twas really good times. It was a moment to reconnect... it's been many years and life has been weird, sadly no time to spend with the dying. He hugs his amma, and steps outside and wonders, "is it really worth crying?".

...dedicated to my grandpa. we had some good times together.

1 Comments:

  • At 1:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    sweet.nice work. -D.

     

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