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| A picture of Chandmary Footpath with cable route marker |
The morning air in Tura, a small town located in the hills of Meghalaya, carried a sense of familiarity and anticipation. As a student of NEHU, Tura, my days often began with the routine of catching the university bus. Our classes begins at the leisurely hour of 10 am, allowing me a lots of time to gather my thoughts and observe the world awakening around me.
At around 9:30 am, I would find myself waiting at the designated bus stop near Chandmary football playground, just opposite Tulip School—an elementary school that held a special place in my heart. It was a place that nurtured my curious mind till I was kindergarten.
One fine morning, I arrived at the bus stop earlier than usual, at around 9 am. The road was busy with parents dropping off their kids and hurrying back to their own lives. Amongst the rush, I noticed something that brought back a wave of nostalgia from my own childhood.
A little girl, probably in nursery or kindergarten, was in a rush to reach the school with her mother. They seemed to be running late because it was already passed 9 am. The mother, in a hurry, held the little girl's hand tightly as they walked fast along the footpath. But as fate would have it, there was a metal cable route marker sticking out of the ground, almost like a mini trampoline. As a child, I would often find joy in bouncing on similar cable route markers, and even now, occasionally, that childlike spirit compels me to indulge in the delightful bounce they offer.
While they hurried towards the school, the little girl, not bothered about being late or anything else, spotted the marker and couldn't resist its playful allure. She quickly slipped her hand out of her mother's grasp and went back to bounce on that marker. Her face lit up with joy as she experienced the bouncy sensation, just like I used to. It reminded me of the carefree days of my own childhood.
That moment transported me back in time, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia. I was reminded of the innocence and wonder of being a child. Back then, every little thing brought immense happiness, and the world felt like an endless playground. I couldn't help but long for those bygone days, when life was simpler and full of endless possibilities.
Soon enough, the little girl's mother noticed her momentary detour and called her back. Reluctantly, she left the marker behind and joined her mother, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and anticipation for the day ahead. As they disappeared into the distance, I couldn't help but think about the sweet memories of my own childhood, appreciating the joy and innocence that still resided within me.
In that fleeting encounter, amidst the chaotic morning rush, I was reminded of the beauty of being a little kid and the magic of carefree innocence. It made me realize the importance of treasuring the memories that shape who we are.
As the university bus arrived, breaking the spell of reminiscence, I boarded with a renewed sense of purpose. The nostalgia lingered, whispering promises of enchantment and reminding me to seek joy in the simplest of moments. For it is in the dance of the cable route marker, the laughter of a child, and the echo of our own childhood reveries that we find solace, connection, and a respite from the unstoppable marching of time.