The City I Would NOT Like
“No, no, no, I don’t wanna go to Delhi!”
“You would like it there Guddi,” my father coaxed. “A big school... big markets... swimming pool near our colony...”
“I hate it! The people are snobby! I love my friends here and I – I—“ I sob.
“OK, how about this? Tomorrow when we reach I take you to eat the best Dal Makhni AND see your old best friends,” he smiled.
Curiosity won over stubbornness. “What old friends?”
“Surprise. Now see whether Mummy has packed all your stuff!”
Upon reaching Delhi and arranging stuff in the rest house, Papa stays true to his promise. So do I. Of not letting myself enjoy.
We try a wonderful restaurant in CP. I take the first bite. My God, it is good!
“How is it?”
“Ambala’s is better,” I say, trying but failing to avoid a second helping.
“Time to visit your best friends,” he announces.
The walk is noisy. Horns honking. This market CP has more big buildings than three Ambalas put together! There are thelas upon thetas of icecream which I eye greedily. As Papa buys me one, I remind myself to do a better job of sulking.
Soon we reach a zebra-print kind of building. He gets us both visitor’s passes after the checking.
“Are my friends rich?” I ask excitedly.
He laughs. “The richest.”
I imagine a movie star type Auntie offering me lemonade as her girls and I talk in their pink princessly bedroom.
Inside, I’m disappointed for a wee moment.
Only a wee one.
Soon I’m excited! “This... is a library or what?” I ask Papa.
“Yes, it’s called The British Council.” Then he requests a staff member for a quick tour.
My eyes dart around everywhere at once. There are computers and lots of books to read When I Grow Up. But the icing on the cake is the Children’s section! And it doesn’t have stupid brown hard chairs and tables – it has couches and round stools and beanbags! I sit – plop! Soft-soft! And it’s got rows after rows of Goosebumps books!
“Enjoying with your best friends?” Papa asks.
The thought of sulking has left me completely. I am where I belong.
“Delhi can be kinda cool,” I shrug.
No comments:
Post a Comment