Saturday 13 February 2010

New Friend

Today the help ("maid" is politically incorrect I'm told) brought her 11-year-old daughter with her. Adiv was ecstatic. He welcomed her with a big grin, called her chechi (didi) and introduced her to all his toys. First the cars, then his Santa, Pooh bear, Elmo, and Lion. And when she sat down with her mother for lunch, Adiv stood by her, watching and talking. He told her about the pigeons outside the balcony, unkoo's picture on the fridge, his scooter, and his Dada (he proudly showed her Ro's picture). Once she was done, he pulled her out of the kitchen. He wanted to show her a video, but she offered to push him on his scooter. He agreed immediately. After kicking his ball for a bit, and playing on his scooter, he then lined up all his stuffed toys on the sofa. He sat beside them, and then waited for her to do the same. She was hesitant, but he urged her to sit.
"Sit Chechi", he said emphatically, pointing to the empty space beside him. When she did, he filled her arms with his toys and gave her his favorite book. She was visibly pleased, and soon they were playing some very interesting games. She was more comfortable by then, and had begun flaunting her english skills. "Sit straight", she told Adiv, while she pushed him on his scooter. Then it was her turn. "Read book", he told her, showing her the monkeys in his book. Then he gave her other little knick knacks to look at.
A very easy, uncomplicated friendship had developed between them.
I began wishing Adiv wouldn't change as he grew up. Like all children, he was oblivious to class distinction and prejudices. He saw the little girl as potential playmate. They'd played some interesting games together, and nothing else mattered. She was very young, but quite aware of the differences between our families. However, once she understood we weren't going to insult her or make her feel like less of a person, she got more comfortable. She sat on the sofa comfortably, and began enjoying herself.
The games continued, till her mother was ready to leave. Adiv wept when she left, and had to be distracted with a candle on some bread pudding. We sang "Happy Birthday" to him, after which he cut us slices and then went to sleep. Just before nodding off, he asked me if chechi would come.
"I'll tell aunty to bring her again", I promised.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Sweet and heart warming. Go Adhiv.

Primitive Lyric said...

Thanks Suman!:)
It's Adiv btw:)

Deepa said...

This is the reason why Jesus wants us to have hearts of children! What a life lesson!!

Vaibhav said...

I read one of your posts where you were looking for a good padiatrician in HSR area. I am also looking out for one for my 2 month old kid. Can you recommend someone? I am sorry I am commenting in your post as I could not find any other way to reach you :(

Primitive Lyric said...

@Scatterbrain - So true:)
@Vaibhav - Dr Jagadish Chinnappa, The Pulse Clinic, Koramangala. He is the best.

AquaM said...

Adiv will be jumping for joy when the 'real play-mate' makes the entry ;)

Unknown said...

We need to borrow from our children a little bit of sanity, democracy, equality and other such.

innoncense is quite a nice quality to observe.... but never to have in this world.