Of Four letter words

Exams ended. Never mind on how they went. Exams ended.

Everyone’s going home. Half the Indians around are already back home and more will be leaving in the coming days. Home, to your parents, to your siblings, to your friends, to the weather, to the smell, to the warmth, to the love. Everyone’s going home.

As I digest the fact that I, most probably, will not be going home these holidays (this is going to be the first time), I can’t help but miss home even more.

Mama gives me a HUGE hug when I come out of the airport and quite briefly looks at the luggage I’ve got to check whether I listened to her when she said, “Get the big suitcase and the blue bag even if you have no luggage so I can fill it up when you’re going back.”
Bapu gives me a hug and a peck on my forehead. He keeps it quick because though it’s an Army vehicle and no one dare say anything if it’s parked right at the entrance, dad doesn’t like anyone raising an eyebrow. So he makes it quick.
Didi…well…she’s almost never there to receive me. I see her only when half my holidays are over.
Most excitement is shown by my baby, Mishti! Jumping and running around from one room to another – biting bhaiyas – getting on the bed/sofa waiting to be petted – following me everywhere! Ah, I love her.

Next few days are wonderful. Everyone makes me feel like a princess; where everything happens at my command. If I want to sleep the whole day, Ma doesn’t let anyone even disturb me. She even lets Mishti sleep until I sleep. If I want to eat Rajma, Ma ignores dad screaming ‘Channa!’ at the background. If I want to watch T20 with dad, Ma pretends to enjoy it. If I want to play squash dad very willingly offers to play with me, even though he knows he’s going to be totally bored. If there’s a tiff between my sister and me over the phone, well, alright, they always take Her side! But I feel like a princess nonetheless!

As more days pass. I still sleep for as long as I want. However, now I’ve been told to sleep early so I can wake up in time for lunch. Also, Mishti has to go for walks in the morning with bhaiya. I still get the food that I like. However, now I’ve been constantly told to learn how to cook it myself. Nobody cares what I want to watch on TV since according to dad, “that’s what you do the whole day” (which is not true. It just happens that when he returns from office, I’d have just woken up and switched on the TV). Now dad wants to play more badminton than squash, which works for me as well. And Now if there’s a tiff between my sister and me over the phone – they still take her side. All this makes me love being at home - just like the old days. I love the fights.

As more days fly by, sister comes home. She hugs ma, bapu and trouble Mishti. I stand in the corner and say ‘Hi’ to her. She responds with a fascinating story, which she always has ready for every occasion. How does she even remember all of them? And we both are thinking, ‘Thank God she’s here!’ We three go for walks, buy pocket-full-of-chocolates, eat kachra all the time, (after a few days) fight, make up in no time. When sitting in a room full of people, we communicate with our minds; it’s incredible how we can understand what the other is thinking. I am not sure if this happens to all the siblings but it comes really handy at times.

As the end nears, Ma burdens herself by stuffing my bags with all sorts of food items which I constantly tell her not to put since I know it is going to get wasted. I don’t know whether she puts on that strong face or does she actually not feel too sad that I’m leaving. She gives me the strength to be away from home and still be happy. Dad gets busy with vehicle and accommodation arrangements. He gets emotional and tells me in his own way how much he loves me and misses me. Sister has to choose which two amongst the three dresses I like of hers, should she give me. Ma should transfer some of her strength to di since crying for every little small thing doesn’t suit her now that she is 26 (hehe)! Mishti just gets sad and sits next to the suitcases. Before leaving I make sure I give her one of those chewy sticks; Mishti sees those and gets a little distracted while I quickly leave.

I miss home. All this love, emotions, drama, jokes, family time, protectiveness, comfort, warmth… I am going to miss home.