Bharath and I decided
we'll not have an attic/loft in our new house. The plan was to
dispose anything not or less used. I kept postponing it as the thought of
clearing around 10 cartons was scary. But my long leave brought this back on
priority and I had no options than take it.
·
Unpacking the boxes, first came the mobile swing (baby's cradle).
Bharath had bought it 7 years back for Srinidhi. I had not taken this out even
for Varsha who is two now. The girls squealed with delight as I assembled it
back and dropped their soft toys into it. They took turns playing and singing
'Rock a bye baby'.
·
Next was the Electric Rice cooker given as a compliment for some
occasion 4-5 yrs back. It had found its place in the loft as I hardly
needed it. This time, my mother wanted to try her hands. An array of
cookery shows and books had tempted her to make vegetable pulav and other
rice 'Sevais' in the Electric cooker. How it turned out, would be a different
post :-)
·
There were the cartons of books then. The '366 Bed Time Stories'
is 31 Yrs old. My father had bought it when I was 2. Happiness
rushed when flipping through the 'Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,
Little Red Riding Hood..' pages. It was a Yellow colored hard bound book with
beautiful prints and sketches in every page. I have never seen such a
wonderful collection when hunting books for the girls. As my daughters kept
fighting as to whom this book belongs, I interrupted saying - 'It’s always
mine. Ask your father to get one for you.' There were also the Nancy Drews,
Goankars, Millman Halkias, David A Bell..reminding my school and college days.
I will save them for Srini and Varsha (how mean ..:-))
·
Next was the Pedestal fan. I smiled at the memories of buying it
during a scorching summer 8 yrs back. I was adamant then not to buy an AC
or get into unnecessary expenses unless we had our own flat. It went to
attic after Srini was born, feared the child would let her fingers in. Now
I assembled it back and as the blades rotated, the girls cried and clapped
with excitement. Wow amma, you made a fan all by yourself.
Little did they know that I just had to fit the screws and nuts :-)
·
Then there were bags of old shirts, pants of Bharath many of them
worn just few times and found their places up due to not so perfect
fitments. Why do men always comment on ladies wardrobe and fail to check
theirs. They are equally or sometimes more spendthrifts when it comes to
clothes. Out of this pile, the green striped 'Allen Solly' shirt chuckled
at me. I gifted it for the third anniversary(we are in the 10th now). It was a
loose fitment when I had bought him and is still waiting for Bharath to
add pounds. I wished it good luck, as him gaining weight is only a dream
for years.
·
There were also cartons of brass "Andaas and Kundaas (Big
vessels)' as Kalyana seer. When I declared generously that I would give
all of them to the maid as their use was scarce, my mother voiced her
disapproval aloud. 'Ayyo Ayyo, Pithalai vikkara vilayile...keep them for
your daughters or sell it for 'Pazhaiya Paathiram'. So off they went,
back to their places.
The list went on with
a mouse trap, antique jewel box, childhood laminated photos, Cashmere
blankets..and Bharath mumbled -'We are never going to have a loft free house'.
I pretended not to hear it and had a great time explaining the girls nostalgic
moments and interesting stories with each of them. So, are you ready for a
treasure hunt :-) ? All the best.
