Melody of bygone days

The melody of bygone days

still resonates...

compels me to surrender to memory trail.

I obey like an ape follows the instructions of master... only to be rewarded by sanguineness.

" Nothing comes easy "... was somehow ingrained in our system.

No shortcut to success was in vogue too.

We toiled hard to palpate success, but never hankered after fame.

We shared our notebooks and knowledge. Perhaps forbidden fruit of jealousy was not plentily available then to embitter sagas friendship.

Sumona my best friend( still remains)used to bring a new food item each day. During lunch break the fragrance of her tiffin wafted through the room, as soon as she opened her lunch box. We all inhaled like greedy gluttons. But, I used to get share all through the year, being her best friend.

She was weak in maths. I was pathetic in drawing. I guided her. She drew all diagrams in my biology workbook. Else I would have scored miserably in examinations.

Payal was my next door neighbor. She had a bicycle. I rode pillion during tormenting summer. Also, when there was sudden downpours. We would wait under the big banyan tree till the outrage and fury lessened. So much ' we time' we enjoyed, licking those sweet and tangy imli pouches. It felt heavenly... don't know how many of us are privy to such insurmountable pleasure!

Back home, we were treated like kings and queens by mom. She would serve, make us eat each morsel on the plate.

Wastage of food was considered a sin. We all followed it righteously, still follow.

We used to have home cooked food mostly. Eateries were far away and were very less in number. " Instant food" " Instant delivery system " did not exist at all.

We ate healthy

Remained healthy

Kept doctors at bay.

The vintage charm still has bearing on my soul. The black and white photographs come to rescue, redeem sunken hope when I am plagued, pestered and flabbergasted by

venomous situations. They calm me with their soothing shades like the grand old banyan tree did.... and let me handle all gorgeous chaos with ease.

I am happy and proud to acknowledge... " I still have a slice of the bygone era in me. "