Teenage begins!

He was named after Gautama Buddha – Siddarth. Yes, without the ‘h’ after the ‘d’ for those who ask, and believe me a lot of people asked! It’s funny how many people had to point it out, as though we had made a spelling mistake. He is nothing like Buddha – in fact he has every characteristic but tranquillity. Yet, he has provided our family with entertainment of every sort. He could be the court jester, the clown, the one who knows exactly what would get his mother and father wound up like a clock.

I remember the phone call. 13 years ago, I got up as usual in my hostel room wondering whether today would be the day. It was. In a few minutes after my daily duties, I received the call that changed my life positively forever, my nephew was born. He was also the first grandchild of our family. I left for home that very afternoon and arrived short of breath at a hospital 4 hours away. After a blurry conv with the elated father, grandfather, hugs etc, I held the most beautiful baby in my life.

“Hold the neck!” screeched a voice
“Isn’t he beautiful?” asked another
“Who does he look like?” demanded another. It was cacaphony, and then I realised I hadn’t congratulated the woman who’d made it through it all, and my sister looked elated and tired at the same time.

From then on, people have often wondered why is it I would throw every holiday to be with my nephew – the first one to call me “Chitthi”. I neglected college trips with class, turned askance at group trips to some place. Every conceivable holiday, I spent with the little fellow. I watched him grow into a boy and as he steps into teenage, I wait with bated breath to see how he would progress into manhood from boyhood.

Enjoy your teen years Siddu.