In Search Of A Time Capsule

 

If I could put three things from my childhood into a time capsule, they would definitely be my childhood home, my school and my friends.

A Home Like None Other

I lived in a 1 BHK flat in a building named Dayanand. We were a large family – my paternal grandmother, my parents, my uncle, myself and my sister. Accommodating all these people in a small flat was no mean feat. Add to it, the numerous relatives, my friends and those of my sister’s - my home was always houseful. And yet, we never felt suffocated or congested. There was always place for everyone.

My uncle and my grandmother would sleep in the bedroom. My parents, myself and my sister would sleep in the hall. This room had windows that opened out to the verandah. Being the corner flat in the ground floor, our home was blessed with a large verandah. On summer nights, the windows would be open to let some air in. My favorite memory is that of looking out at the coconut tree that stood behind the wall of the verandah, while lying on the floor when the rest of the family slept beside me. There were other trees too and their leaves would sway gently to the nightly breeze that was a common occurrence in summer. What I cherish most is the absolute feeling of fearlessness. There was only comfort and a cozy feeling.

We all would gather at the verandah after dinner, each one taking a chair for themselves. Sometimes the elders would pass on the latest news to each other while I and my sister would just sit and listen in silence. Other times, my father would bring out a large plate, a fruit and a knife and we all would have dessert at the verandah. This also became a place where I and my best friend studied during our SSC boards.

My childhood home was small, but it was a whole world to grow up in. There was chaos, but there was ample laughter and activity. There was no AC but there were windows that looked out on a large verandah. There were no separate rooms for each individual (as the new trend goes), but a close family lived and flourished there.

The last time that house was painted, I took a pencil and just at the entrance of the home, I scribbled these letters on the wall – ‘Once upon a time, Deepa and Roopa lived in this house.’ I just wanted to leave behind a part of myself in the house.

The last time I left the house after shifting to Hyderabad was also the last time I got to see it. My parents eventually sold the house and moved to Kerala. It will always be my biggest regret that I could not see my childhood home for one last time. But I am grateful for all the memories it has given me. Those memories are enough to get through life.

The best part of being a millennial is getting to grow up in an age where there were no mobiles or social media. My childhood was mostly spent in the outdoors, playing with my friends in the complex of the building or at my verandah and sometimes at the park. I am thankful for all those moments I got to hold as precious memories today.

I wonder whether the new generation of kids who spend most of their times in the virtual world will have such memories to hold on to!

School – Studies, teachers and friends

The memory that springs first to my mind about my school is that of my father dropping me, my sister and my cousin brother, to school on his scooter. Till my fifth standard, I had morning batches along with my sister and cousin who were in the first standard then. Every day my father would drop us to school, my cousin brother standing in the front of the scooter and I and my sister sitting on the back.

School was all about studies, homework and teachers. I took all these very seriously. Classes were never to be missed, notes were always to be updated and teachers were always to be feared and respected. I made many acquaintances in school but being somewhat nerdy, I wasn’t very popular. I always chose to be at the end of the crowd, not wanting to get noticed. But I did notice all those popular kids who had a great social standing in the school.

When you spend ten years at one place, it becomes a second home. School became a place of comfort for me. I loved to write, read and study. I was above average in my studies and scored well. Languages were my favorite topics and I scored most in these.

Looking back, I have no regrets, for while in school, I always tried to do the right thing. The only regret that I have now is the loss of curiosity that was a constant part of my childhood. I was always eager to learn more. That eagerness is missing today. If I could go back in time, I would like to capture that zest for knowledge and bring it with me into the future. Mostly I wish to bring back my time in school so that I can study in a class, read textbooks and write in a notebook with a handwriting that people called as neat and tidy. My handwriting is no longer tidy. May be it has blurred, like the memories of a good time of life.

Friends – They made it all worthwhile!

I was blessed with some wonderful friends who were an essential part of my childhood. While many of them parted ways, two of these friends made it all the way till adulthood until career, marriage and responsibilities sent us in our own paths. All my memories are centered around these two only. The memories aren’t about the games we played or the times we studied together. What left a deep impression on my mind is the conversations we had and the silences we shared. Vacation mornings spent at each other’s homes, afternoons spent at the verandah, summer evenings spent on the terrace, lying down and gazing at the sky – the stars were clearly visible then. Why can’t we see them today?? The terrace also became a place of entertainment for us as we caught many a couple meeting there in secret since love affairs were pretty much frowned upon then.

All the secrets between us, the laughter, the moments of fights, being beside each other in tough times, encouraging each other during low phases – what I wouldn’t give for such a friendship!

We are not as much in touch now, although we all have presence in the social media. But how do you talk on phone, or send a message, or video call a person with whom you never had to resort to all these for conversations!? What can replace the beauty of heart-to-heart talks on summer evenings spent at the terrace?

We three grew apart but I know that some bonds will not break no matter the time or distance. When you have shared a childhood and teenage like we three have, you never forget each other. At the very deepest subconscious level, we will always be connected.

And when I get the time capsule, I will find all three of us on the terrace on a summer evening, naming the stars. I will see myself sitting with my family at the verandah, eating mangoes diced into equal parts by my father. And I will see myself going to school, eager to write, read and learn.

Most of all, I will find myself and life will come around a full circle.