Eternal Childhood

Train journey. Window seat. I was watching those trees and houses running very fast. I cannot even see them clearly. The railway tracks, taking turns and shifting trains. But the sun, still there, wherever I go. I was lost outside. So much that I couldn't hear the noise of the passengers until I heard "dedo". My 49 years old father was buying a toy steam boat. He turned towards me and said "Sharwari, this is my childhood's favourite toy. I found it after so many years! Take it. This is for you. I will teach you how to play with it...." and he started describing about the mechanisms of the toy boat.

Yes. He still gets fascinated by interesting toys. My dad still enjoys the smell of wet earth. He still gets elated when it rains. During shopping in bazaars he always stops his bike and enjoys the roadside kulfi. You will always find those rawalgaon candies in his pockets. He is still a kid of 5 years. One day, I couldn't contain my curiosity and asked "Baba, why do you get so happy over these childish things like candies and kulfis? Ain't you about to get 50 now?". Dad laughed a little. I don't know whether on my question or on what he was thinking. He said "Beta, when I was a kid, these things were my treasure. These were all I wanted to get. But you know, as a child you are always out of money and freedom. So I've always imagined my adulthood as free and wealthy enough to buy plenty of these. Now when I have money , I spend some of it on these too. Just for the pleasure of child inside me."

My dad believes that happiness is right here, like the dandelions in our closes fists. Some people enjoy as it flies in the air while some cry because it is going. Enjoying what you have is all you need to be happy. Demands keep increasing with increasing standards and we forget to enjoy as we grow. Everyone's most loved period of life is childhood. Why finish it then? Be a kid till death. Don't let the curious and innocent child inside you die. Sometimes being a kid is refreshing. Rather than spending weekend in theaters and restaurants, he often spends by playing cricket with children of colony for it reminds him of the little him.

But that doesn't portray thaT he is not mature. He is an excellent husband, the best dad and the man of the family. In his professional life,he is known for his serious and responsible nature. He is an excellent economist. Inside his childish heart, he has a vision that guides me and my sister perfectly. Despite a supporter of all this fun, he mandates us to study. He always tells us that as long as the kid inside you can enjoy your childhood but the years of securing your career are limited. There is no second chance for it. I totally agree with him. My sister and me always give first preference to studies. Having him as a father, I have got the key to eternal childhood.