Madras has just one weather. But Feb and March are bearable. March means looking forward to the annual trip to Marina beach yea and not the annual exams as you have been imagining. That was my only yearly vacation. While most of our neighbors left to visit grandparents for two months we stayed put. So before everyone left, mommies plan a Marina beach trip for a bunch of us that grew up together. And most dads (including mine) were picky about their wives being home when they returned from work so we would leave at 2:00pm with our pulihara, chapathi chana masala, kajjikaya murukku etc. Everything homemade nothing shop purchased or "junk". We would reach by 3:00pm in our city bus 17M. The approaching view of the horizon would excite us kids like no other theme park could do today. We wouldn't mind the burning sand (yes 3:00pm is still hot for madras) and would run towards the water.. completely ignoring the yelling moms. Ditch those Hawaii chappals and run!! For the next hour or so, water and waves and sand are our friends and fun. We wouldn't turn around even by mistake else moms would be asking to come back. Samay samapthi ka ghoshna around 4:30... while everyone else is just entering the beach we would be ready to leave. To catch the same 17M to go home. The only treat would be mango slices or pattani that would keep us busy till we reach home. Kitna simple tha na life, aur kitna mazedar! How much we appreciated that one and only simple vacation and how much I cherish those memories even today. The kids i grew up with, are all around the world and some I am not in touch but each of them are part of my distinct memories... including how they looked, what they wore, what we spoke, the laughter the quarrels and all the playful silly games. I hope they relive these memories too and smile. Kyun bade ho gaye? Ache hi thi to the?! Oh well. Fast forward ...the real me today is enjoying a cup of chai made by patideb as i type this post while he is helping with the dishes and my lunch plates. Yeh bhi special memories hai. Agey jaake yeh bhi khaas yaadein banenge. For now patideb transported me to Marina beach although through a pic. Dont look far and beyond for happiness while it may already sitting on your lap and waving at you! And yes, given a chance this is how I would love to dress everyday and night! Apna khayal rakhna
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