A good lesson learnt

A recent converstion with my 10 year old niece, while walking on the streets of Kolkata on Diwali night.

Niece: Maashi (that's ''aunt'' in Bengali), can I ask you a question if you promise not to tell my mother?

Me: (glancing uncomfortably at my sister who's walking a little ahead, wondering what kind of situation I'm leading myself into) Yes, go on...

Niece: (in hushed tones) What do you think of the dress 'bikini'? (breaks into mini giggles)

Me: (totally flabbergasted) Er...it's alright I guess...

Niece: No, seriously, what do you think of it? You'd look good in one, maybe a sky blue or light green to match the sea..do you have one in Delhi?

Me: (feeling very, very uncomfortable) Ahem, not really. Well, would you like to wear a tiara darling? Dad! Buy us some tiaras, they look so cute!



The conversation is halted as we excitedly choose tiaras from the roadside peddler. The golden ones look hideous, but we manage to settle for some nice silver ones. Both of us immediately put them on our heads. I look like a queen, and she a princess :)

We attract a lot of gazes on the streets, some are even sniggering and pointing at us, but a queen is never hassled by rowdy subjects, so i keep the tiara on, feeling giddy with happiness.



Dad: Dindu, take it off, you're embarrassing me. I don't know you, ok? Don't call me.

(He walks off, and my sister is laughing at the both of us)

Niece: So, the reason why I asked was because I want to be a model when I grow up.

Me: A model!!

Niece: Ssshh, Maashi!! You want Ma to hear? Keep it low!

Me: Kid, you have a set of good brains, why do you want to waste them?



Then suddenly I realize my terrible mistake, my statement was totally judgemental, and based on personal biases. Yet, images of Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion' flash through my mind, and I instantly feel like protecting my much loved niece.



Niece: What do you mean?

Me: I mean that if you want to be a model, go ahead, but there are other options as well.

(Inside, my head's screaming- she's in 4th grade! I used to pluck flowers and play in the garden when I was in 4th! )

Niece: Such as?

Me: You can be a sociologist :), a lawyer, a journalist, a doctor, a teacher, an astronaut...

Niece: (cuts me short) A sociologist? What on earth is that?

(I'm thinking, how much longer until we reach our destination? I'm beginning to feel thirsty. At that moment, I realize how important this conversation is to an impressionable 10 year old who looks upto you, so I launch into full grown-up career counselling)

Niece: Wow! I never knew that all doctors dont always have to cut up humans. And social action is beginning to just about interest me.(She's an extremely smart kid, and at that moment I'm a very smug aunt :)

But I think I'll be an actress instead.

(The smug look drops instantly. But then I decide to indulge her, as I always do)

Me: Of course sweetie. You do whatever you want to. Even I wanted to be Miss World when I was your age.

(You think the tiara on my head is proof of the vestiges of my childhood dream?)

Niece: Aww Maashi, whu didn't you?

Me: I dont think I have the looks.

Niece: (in a bossy tone) Well, I think you do. You shouldn't let anyone or anything come in the way of your dreams, never. Oh, look at that pup, isn't he cute?

Me: (overcome by feeling) Aww...come here you little baby...(big hug and kiss) Maashi loves you lots, you know? :)



It's then that I realize how being grown up has changed me, how easily we let go of our little hopes and desires, how we fiddle with life's trivial things while time flies. Put new heart into yourselves, throw caution to the winds and once in a while, let a young mind change your take on life :D