The conversations in the evening when the children are back from school are quite lively and interesting. After they are done with narrating everything they can remember that transpired in school and in drowning out each other’s voices in their quest to be the first one to tell, they get to the business of evening snacks and chit chat.
Sometimes, we idly discuss what they would be when they grow up. Gautam has been watching too many Air Crash Investigations and comes up with Pilot.
And I say, “Why not? That would be fun!”
Then we dream of a day when I will be a passenger in the aircraft piloted by him. I tell him that I would be very proud and would tell everyone that the Captain is my son.
Siddharth says, “Oh, you can be proud even when he is the First Officer.”
“Yes, yes! Of course,” I concede.
Gautam interjects, “I’d prefer to be Second Officer.”
And then Sid gets all impatient that there is no Second Officer. Then begins the cacophony of rebuttals.
Meanwhile the husband interjects, “Imagine Gautam doing the Captain announcement in his ‘shrieking old lady’ voice!”
All hell breaks loose as each of us does our own impersonation. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your Captain speaking haiyya hurr hurr :-)…”
Gautam can do this really screechy tone sometimes that can drive you to the verge of insanity. This was our opportunity to get back. And Gautam is suddenly a roaring tiger that he magically transforms into when he is upset. He is your true Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – docile outside and a nuisance at home. Amid fits of laughter, the parents try to restore some order.
***
Another such scene on another evening. We have explored this subject multiple times. The gist of our conversations has been that both of them will be out of home by 18 doing their further studying probably in another city. And we all know that after that, parents get sidelined in their scheme of things – studies, higher studies, job, girlfriend… whatever… Life then becomes an endless wait for children to show up for a few days to again go away to their new lives.
Sid: “But wherever I go, you guys will come to live with us.”
Mom: “We’ll see once you grow up.”
Sid: “Come on, mom! You and dad can work from anywhere.”
Mom : “Trust me you may not want us to come and live with you” feeling very wise
Gautam: “I will go live wherever bhaiya goes!” We are all resigned to that eventuality. Sigh!
Yes, both of us nod.
Mom: “Sure, till bhai finds a girlfriend!”
Gautam: “So what I can still stay in the same house? What will be the girlfriend’s problem?”
I smile.
Sid and Gautam: “And then mom and dad can stay with us.” Back to square one
Mom: “Maybe in another house close to yours?”
Gautam: “Don’t worry I will not have kids to trouble you. I will never clean potty. YUCK !!! (He says it showing his utmost disgust!)
Mom bursts out laughing. “Okay baba we will see when the time comes!”
Their innocent entreaties melt my heart.
***
It is so much fun to hear their thoughts and see the world from their eyes when they are this innocent. It also warms a beautiful corner of my heart that they care so much for us. These tiny moments with them seated around the dining table filled with cheer and laughter, where we pull each other’s legs all in good faith are worth crystallizing forever in our memories.
The nest will be empty someday. I am certainly not looking forward to it.
But for now, the home is buzzing with multiple such conversations and amazing activity. And I am soaking in them right now with a smile playing on my lips.
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