Part 1:
Yesterday, I played with these two kids: jumped with them to my auto timed camera, swung on the swing tied to the tree, caught goats by the hills, shared some innocent smiles, showed them some shapes in the night sky. But today, on my birthday, as I leave this beautiful place, I have this strong urge to wish the two children a final good bye. I have enjoyed a cosy homestay in their beautiful house as well. And thus, I try knocking on one of their doors to ask for the whereabouts of the children. Their mother comes out and she tells me that the children have left for the school and wouldn't be back in another hour. A bit sad, I take out 4 chocolates from my bag and hand them over to the polite mother to finally give them to the children. I also handover those notebooks and books I carried from Delhi. (I usually carry books and notebooks whenever I travel to such places to give it to a local school). She tells me that the children won't read as they are very naughty. I tell her that the books have lots of pictures in it. I get a bit confused whether to tell her that it is my birthday today. I finally decide not to. The mother after accepting the chocolates smilingly asks me to come inside and have tea and she also compliments that I had been a good guest and that the children really loved me. I choke a bit and try to politely refuse her offer for tea. So, I just thank her for offering tea, pay her money for the homestay, and leave the place to spend some time on the ridge alone. I sit there and imagine those smiling faces of children consuming those chocolates. I quietly wish myself a happy birthday.....
Part 2:
I sat on her shop waiting for my bus which would take me to the city. In the morning I had bought 4 chocolates from her for those children. She had a very simple face and adorned a constant smile on it. She did everything from her shopkeeping to answering my questions smilingly, as if she was enjoying everything. I asked her name, what did she do and what she wanted to be. She replied her name and that she had just passed Class 12 and wanted to be a teacher. I told her that when I also grow old, I would want to be a teacher. She smiled on this and asked 'how much more old?'. My bus arrived and I wanted to thank her for her time. I knew she would not accept any money tip from me, so I bought 4 more chocolates from her shop. And I finally waved her goodbye and to which she smilingly shouted "Happy Birthday".
I had never told her that it was my birthday and neither did I pick up any birthday calls which she could overhear. It was a magical birthday, indeed.
