My niece sanjana is a lovely little girl who will turn 8 this september. But I still cannot get out of the image of that little baby who would be in her walker and would push everything near her to reach out to me. I was so proud of myself those moments when she wanted all my attention towards her. In life there are lot of moments you recollect and wish you could rewind and go back to that day, that moment and these are definitely one of those days for me.
When she joined her first year of Kinder garden, I would drop her at school some days before leaving to Bangalore (one of the lucky days while working in Lucent with the liberty to reach office anytime on monday mornings:) She would insist doing that when I am all dressed up to leave rather than the days I hadnt gotten ready! Kids have a funny way of showing off in front of their friends! One such day while I was dropping her, I saw couple of her classmates (boyzzzzz) in her classroom. I was about to kiss her before leaving, she very quietly said not here vaneekutti (she calls me that, even if my parents have stopped calling that way). I was disappointed looking at her rosy little cheek, but understood that she was shy in front of her friends! I told her to be a good girl to her mom and said would see her again that weekend and left.
In a couple of minutes, she came running after me and hugged and kissed me and asked me to kiss her. The expression I saw on her face that moment is something I really dont have words to express. I have been trying to think of a proper word ever since I thought of writing this blog, but I cant seem to find the right word. I can just say that it was very beautiful and her eyes made me speechless for a moment. I dont know what was running in her mind, whether she understood that I was disappointed, or she thought she wouldnt see me again for a week or it was just a small child who felt alone after her family member left, I dont still know about it. But I do know that her thoughtfulness made that moment very special and something I have captured and treasured.
I dont get to be near her now, but I often hear from her parents, my parents(her grandparents) about her academic excellence, her main role in school plays, how beautiful she is looking, etc, etc. But for me, she is very thoughtful and kind and the beauty of it makes me a proud aunt!
And to some of us who knew her from the day she was born :) from her lovely auntie who can talk lots about her niece.
ReplyDeleteVanee, eight years now!!!!! :) She is eight reminds me that we finished college eight years ago..the same May month :)