The time to leave for college had made its advent. From the past
one week mornings seemed to come very early. After the daylong planning and
listing of items to be purchased and packed Mannu hadn’t even fallen asleep and
the clock brought the sun back again. The breakfast included entirely what
Mannu demanded. Utappam, paneer pakoras, pasta and what not! Earlier it was
denied. Mrs. K insisted only on fruits, boiled eggs and corn flakes. Now things were taking a different turn. Mrs.
K could not afford to keep Mannu’s wishes unfulfilled till he was home. As a
mother the idea sounded too unethical. He was more like a guest now.
The
present commenced with a thought of the future. Twice or even thrice a week,
Mannu left out for a new purchase. Pia gave a placid idea about the trends in
fashion. She also instructed him that purchase should be guided by the quality
of clothing, not the brand. Pia was a frequent visitor of the street side
market in Borivali and she knew the rates of men's shirts, trousers and shorts as well. As she went to the college
she brisked the shops in an imagination of what would look good on
Mannu and in this imagination she also inquired the price only to say later a
price which was not at all acceptable to the seller. Her purpose was solved. The price range varied,
but she was firm with the colors that should spread through Mannu’s wardrobe. A
message popped up every morning about a new combination that Mannu should look
for that day. But Mannu was a bit anxious about brands. Someday he came back
with a pair of shoes and the other day with a pair of branded jeans. A brand purchase has always been proportional to money. Grand
name, grand price! Mothers don’t know this. They just have a simple question
‘Why pay 3 times more for blue jeans which you can get for Rs. 500?’ Even so
did Pia.
And because of this reluctance of Mrs. K he got annoyed and came
out of the store. It happened several times.
“Let’s go mummy...I don’t want anything.”I spoke. Mrs. K said
nothing, just grabbed his gloved arm and the second time they exit the store
with a smile on Mannus face. The blue jeans cost him 2000 rupees. Mrs. K always
purchased for her children, not only commodities, but contentment. Channu too
was amazed on seeing the price tag of Mannu’s new wardrobe collection. He
expressed it by swelling his lips and widening his eyes. Mannu felt embarrassed, but happiness overcame.
Mannu was 18 and Channu was 16. From infant to childhood, from childhood to
adolescence they had shared their clothes and belongings. Now both had to
separate them off. Today, time had really proved that it waits for none.
The buying and bringing continued for the whole day. Channu
brought a lotion and forgot the shaving razor; Mannu brought a deodorant and forgot
the blades. Everything, but, was new for personal use. On the other hand the
postman had safely delivered the ticket. He safely delivered silence and that
too without any extra charge. With wet eyes Mrs. K kept it on the mandir under a portrait of Sai Baba.
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