Conversations With Thatha

  Last night's rain had been a deluge. Heavy thunder and lightning had left their marks on the earth. The complex wasn't spared either. Few trees outside the complex had fallen prey to the deluge. The morning after, the schools declared holiday and office employees were told to work from home. The kids got hyper-excited about the unexpected holiday. By nine in the morning, the whole lot was out on the complex's park, wearing raincoats and playing games. The committee members of the colony which included Ved's parents had assembled at the premises to take stock of the situation. Thatha strolled around watching the aftermath of the rains in concern. Ved left his friends and rushed to him. "I love unexpected holidays!" He hollered in excitement. "I have already told mom that I am not going to study today." Thatha smiled and shook his head. Trust kids to find any excuse to be happy and more importantly, to skip their studies! Ved held his han...

It was a rainy night. Thunder rumbled in the sky and lightening created day out of night. Thatha and Ved were sitting on the later's bed, snuggled cozily under a blanket. Thatha was reading aloud from a book of Enid Blyton. Usually Ved was very interested in listening to the adventures of the Famous Five. But tonight, the child seemed restless. He kept shifting in his seat. "What happened? Are you feeling bored?" Thatha asked in amusement. Ved snuggled closer to him which only meant one thing. The child was feeling scared about something. Thatha held him in his arms. "Are you feeling scared?" He asked gently. Ved nodded. "Everyone in school is talking about the war happening between two countries. I am scared. What if they attack us too?" Thatha smiled and ruffled the child's hair. "We are safe. Don't worry." For a while they sat in silence broken only by the pattering of the raindrops outside and the occasional rumble o...

The rains had given a brief respite to the city and the sun was back in full form. Taking advantage of the unexpected surge in temperatures, the people of the complex decided to visit the waterpark in the city on a Saturday. Thatha too had come to the waterpark and was watching over the kids who were thoroughly enjoying the 'wave'. A large pool generated waves every now and then and the people in the pool rose and fell with the waves, shouting in joy. He laughed as he saw Ved and his friends hold hands together like a human chain and jump in synchronisation whenever the wave lifted them.  Once the kids had their fun with the wave, they decided to explore the waterpark. Thatha joined them, trying to catch up with their excitement as the kids took in the various attractions at the park.  "Look! A waterslide! Now that will be fun!" Yash exclaimed. The kids all cheered and hurried towards the slide. Few of the kids' parents too joined them.  Thatha sat at one ...

On a Friday evening, the whole complex was abuzz with excitement and activity. Every third weekend, the people in the complex arranged for a cricket game to be played in the premises. The following Sunday was scheduled for a potluck breakfast with every household in the complex bringing some home-made snacks. It was a fun weekend, one that the people waited for a whole month. Thatha loved this weekend of the month. The entire complex came alive and he could meet many people who otherwise lead extremely hectic and busy lives. While the planning committee was busy discussing about the events, he strolled around enjoying the lively atmosphere. He saw the kids sitting on the grass and discussing seriously. "This time we will give it to him rightly." Yash, one of Ved's friends said, shaking his fist. "Give what to whom?" Thatha asked. "Manoj, Thatha. During the last month's game, he deliberately pushed Yash while trying to score a run. Yash was the...

The night felt cool. Frogs croaked somewhere, heralding the arrival of more rains. Crickets and cicadas added to the musical symphony. It was every inch, a glorious rainy night.  Thatha sat on his wicker chair at the porch taking in the serenity of the night. He loved rainy season. It never failed to lift his spirits and rejuvenate him. Ved was in his room talking over the phone with a friend.  The kid came out few minutes later, looking as if the weight of the whole world has just landed on his shoulders. He sat beside Thatha, looking lost.  "Hey, what happened?" Thatha asked in concern. Never had he seen Ved look so beaten.  "It was Ayush on the phone." Ved said in a low voice. "He's moving to another city, Thatha. His father got a new job." Ayush was Ved's best friend from school. Thatha waited for the kid to say more.  "He's shifting next month." The kid's mouth quivered and his eyes welled up.  Thatha's hear...

It was Sunday and the kids were lazing around at the park inside their complex. It had rained in the afternoon, lending a refreshing aura to the evening. The grass in the park looked greener and rainwashed. Not being able to play in the wet grass, the kids were standing near the slide. One of the kids had brought a mobile and everyone surrounded her, watching with acute focus and laughing out together all of a sudden.  Thatha was walking around the complex greeting people as they smiled and waved to him. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, courtesy of the rains that had graced the city after a gap of two hot days.  Thatha looked at the kids watching the mobile. He joined them to see what they were watching. A guy and a girl in YouTube were trying out Do-not-laugh challenge by showing videos of people falling.  The kids laughed again as the video showed a person falling while trying to help another who was already down.  "Thatha, look how funny this is!" ...