A forced love affair
I came to Mumbai from my home in Delhi on Valentine Day to escape the chill of Delhi.
My son had been insisting for long that we spend the winters in Mumbai as most of my writing was online in any case.
Mumbai is a great leveller compared to Delhi with its 'You Know Who I am' culture and I always loved it for this.
This time an added attraction was my four year old grand daughter my Princess Aayra who was confined to the same two BHK as me as Lockdown was announced.
These two months have been a revelation. How can a girl child be so affectionate and so caring. My day begins with her waking up and walking in with that charming smile.
We (the two of us) have spent hours sitting at the windows watching the flowers bloom. It's the first time in my innings of 70 years that I have seen squirrels up so close nibbling at flowers at the tip of the highest tree because I live on the top floor higher than all the trees.
I spent hours watching Peppa Pig with her. Its either that or the latest videos that she needs to watch when she has her breakfast and lunch. Even after two months I cant comprehend why Peppa Pig is such a hit. When my son was growing up Tom and Jerry were our favorite and still are.
But this what growing up is about. Isn't it.
What really beats me is the little ones efforts to make every one so comfortable before going to bed. She will insist that all five of us me, wife, son, daughter in law and Aayra sleep in the same room. She will put every one to bed, cover us with a blanket before taking her last bottle of milk for the night.
That's been our routine even as we babged thalis, lighted up candles and lined up to get our vegetables and essential commodities.
Yes I know Maharashtra and Mumbai are the highest among the Corona affected states. But that is only if we switch on the news channels
But why when you can watch Money Heist or Pakistani plays or Simi Garewals priceless interviews with the best in showbizz.