PARU

                     Paru- this is how I fondly call her. My childhood and adulthood life’s most nostalgic moments were with her. When I think of her so many incidents flash upon that inward eye. She was a good pal, considerate kin, supportive sibling, lovable friend, fair critic , strict parent and guide and above all the adorable love of my life. She has played the role of all in my life.

I remember the days we used to sit in the front of our house and chit chat about the day’s happenings. She  was an awesome narrator, I used to listen to her spell bound.  Every evening she lets me play only after I complete  my homework. When I get slouchy she motivates me telling I could take rest after the game and that I would be done with all of it. If I still don’t budge I would have to face the wrath of paru. She’s  been an indispensable  part of my childhood. She could not bear  to see me cry or get disappointed. No matter what , she fixes my disappointment and gets glory seeing me happy. Here I go narrating one such incident.

When I was in my kindergarten  I had expected my teachers at school to pamper me, coz am the most pampered at home especially   by paru. It had disappointed me so much then that I had come home and complained to her saying the teachers din’t pamper me and additionally that the teachers had apple during the break and that they never offered me a piece ( I’ve been such a mean kid😀),on hearing this my mom being a teacher immediately warned me that it’s their right to eat and am not supposed to question and advised that I would be pampered if I behave well. I was quietly listening to her and my mom concluded that I got compromised. But cunning me dropped  my face sadly to paru and asked if my teachers were right. Hurray the next day she came to school and advised the teachers to pamper toddlers  and that's the way to encourage and bring in the best the of their abilities and finally added a word “neenga apple sapdradhu   na thani ya poi saapudunga..kuzhadha   Munadi   saapta   avaluku kudunga…pavam engi   poida   poranu” ( there’s no harm eating apples during the break, with kids around try to eat in the staff room or if u eat before her , offer her a piece, she is a kid and might feel bad ). Paru had such a charisma , that whatever she conveyed was totally agreed by my teachers (so sweet of them) and they ensured I was pampered every day, not only me but all kids in the class and they also made sure not to eat in the classroom before kids.

   Paru ascertained  everyday once am back from school if the teachers behaved well to me (lol) , my mom  was in utter shock when she heard what paru had done . But that it happened she could do nothing but sigh. She knew there would be no use offering suggestions  to both of us, so she left us to fend for ourselves , she warned she would never come to my teacher to defend me at any cost in future just in case I commit a mistake  , I never understood what my mom meant then. But paru had so much of confidence and hope that I would be an obedient and sincere student and so was I. She was my guiding angel throughout.

Any incident that happens at school I promptly update her. Once in my second grade during the annual examination I remember passing on the eraser to my neighbour. My teacher misunderstood   that we were trying to discuss and deducted marks as a punishment  , it was only 2 marks, but I was shattered since I was punished for no mistake of mine and that too for helping . I was in all tears when I came home , she quickly enquired and reassured me. Later when I got back to normal she patiently explained to me that helping others could lead to grave consequences  if done inappropriately. She was a fair critic.

Paru was so modern in thoughts and she behaved like a friend of our age (my sister and me). She played all indoor games with us from snake and ladder to  palanguli. She was the mediator   between me and my sister. When we had cat fights she was the one who announced the final judgement on punishments. She ensured we obeyed her. She was a considerate kin. She nurtured our talents and additionally took pride. She boasts of our singing and English speaking skills to every neighbour  and friend. There was one Spanish ship that had landed in our coast and people were rushing to have a glimpse of it since we had never seen such a huge ship. My sister a very enthusiastic gal, caught the attention of an English speaking employee of the ship, the lady was so impressed by my sister that we bypassed the crowd and boarded the ship to look around. Paru was beaming with pride. The ship and it’s architectural  marvel was of no significance to her now. She was waiting to leave the place and boast to everyone of my sisters skill. She was a lovable friend.

She used to watch all the latest movies with us, a huge fan of rajinikanth  and madhavan , she wanted to look for grooms similar to madhavan for me and my sister 😂. Did we get such handsome grooms  ? Of course yes. Both me and my sister have got madhavans  by personality. Both son in laws showered lots of love on paru and vice versa. Paru’s magnificence would spare none.

Talking of movies , am reminded of an incident.
I was a huge fan of mani ratnam and arvindswamy. I remember the movie Bombay was released when I was in my seventh grade. I was just waiting to watch it after my exams were over , but to my dismay my sister had her tenth board exams and everyone at home advocated I watch it at the theaters after my sister completes her exams. I was totally not for it, but none was willing to accompany me, it was when paru came for rescue .  She argued it wasn’t fair to deprive me of watching  the movie and she accompanied me. Although my sister was fuming paru had her own tactics to pacify my sister and make everyone accept her decision. With grudges or grins everyone at home obeyed the final judgement  passed by paru. I happily watched the movie in the theater with my all time friend paru.

 Paru had a magnetic perosnality. She was loved by all. The friends and relatives who visit home would be bowled down by the love and hospitality she showers. She attains pleasure serving others. She insists us to invite our friends home. She never showed a sign of tiredness in her face  anytime. She was such a loving soul.

Speaking of paru, her slang and phrases were so catchy. Whenever someone  was in a dilemma and delay decision making she used to call them "dhirdrashtran", a king in mahabharatham who made delayed decisions. "Asamandham" meaning dull headed for not doing things quickly.
"Achu pichu nu pesadha"meaning not to speak foolishly. "Pithukulli" frequently used on me meaning a nut and many many more in the bucket.

oops I havent revealed who is paru. She is none other than my most adorable grandma. Although she lives at the celestial world now ,she is part of me. She has molded me so well that I leave behind her impression after every action. I still strive to be kind and loving and hospitable as her  . Whatever I am is only a nutshell of her. She is part of my daily routine and part of my thought , word and  action.