This is a second part in a short series I have started. No, it's not a fiction on short story. Just jotting down few memories for posterity. I'm almost sure I will suffer from Alzheimer's disease in my old age if I make it beyond 60. If that happens I can always come back here and get a perception about my past life.
J: I joined a new school for my 4th standard. At that time I never felt the pressure or pain about making new friends. Or maybe I did, which I would have conveniently forgotten once I was happy in the new environment. My friendship with J was rather arranged if I think about it now. She used to stay with her grandmother. Those were the days before the pasteurized milk overshadowed each nook and cranny of small towns. To cut the long story short we agreed to buy milk from her grandmother as we were new to the place. The old lady arrived immediately the next morning to deliver the milk and ordered my mother to be introduced to all three of us. She lost her interest in my brothers pretty quickly. She was delighted to know I was in class 4th as her granddaughter also was in same class. So, as soon as I entered the classroom that day, a tall, lanky girl approached and initiated the conversation as per her granny's instructions. I was puny all my life, so I was in the first bench and she being taller was in the last. And she was in the same school for the last 3 three years and had her own set of friends. Still she walked back home with me twice a day, once for lunch and next at the end of the day. In the evening it was her chore to deliver the milk. While doing so she used to carry books on the pretext of doing homework with me and it was fun playing together until the dusk. On the days when it was very late, my y.brother and I drop her back at home. Even though it was arranged we got attached to each other real fast. It was assumed if I was not at home I would be at her place and vice versa. That happy period came to an end once I have decided to move to my Ammamma's place for next school year. Even so we met each other during Dasara and summer holidays for three more years, until my father got transferred to another town. I remember corresponding a few letters with her for a brief period, which stopped eventually. Sometimes I believe "out of sight, out of mind". In my 11th and 12th I get to hear about her from my high school best friend "R" as they were in the same college. Coincidentally my y.brother and J's y.brother were close friends in their college, so indirectly we knew what is going on in each others' life. In fact, this May I've met him at my SIL's baby shower and we talked about her for a bit. She is happily married now, stays in Singapore, and we chat occasionally on messenger. We say we will meet each other whenever she is in the city, which both of us know is never going to happen. Not because we don't want to. Her time will be limited and there will be so many obligations to fulfill as a daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law. And my calendar is chockablocked for at least five to six months in advance. However, I'm grateful for her to taking a like in the new girl and nurturing the relationship.
Like I said in my earlier post I just want my friends to be healthy, happy, and safe. There is absolutely no desire or inclination to know each and every minute details of their life. They all know I'm just a call or a message away to lend an ear without judging and dole out my pearl of wisdom (pun intended) about life, relationship, love, conflicts, all and sundry.
We got a new puppy when I was in class sixth. The old Tommy just passed a few days before that. As long as I can remember he was old, sluggish, and droopy. It is just that I don't recall many things associated with him. Nonetheless he was a good doggy.
The new pup was very shy. As he was black I officially named him Blacky. I thought it was hep and trendy name for a pet. Within few days we have noticed he walks little differently. when We took him to the vet for examination, he told it is probably because he was weaned off his mother's milk too early and it could be a calcium deficiency affecting his bones. His advise was to give him an egg everyday and regular food. In those days Pedigree Petfood was unheard of. We are vegetarian family and mere mention of egg was frowned upon. Now Ammamma is a kind of person who believes what needs to be done should be done at any cost. So that responsibility was relegated to me and I was more than happy to oblige. Within six months' period Blacky's strength improved to a great extent. Back then there was no concept of keeping dogs as pets. They had to serve their purpose like barking at strangers, well that and that is it. He developed that skill early on, snarling at all and sundry but for the family members. Even though puny he looked ferocious and fierce, and neighbors started asking whether he is chained before entering the gate. Ammamma who is greatly paranoid is very smug and proud of Jackie.
Like all puppies he started following me all around. He was fast learner of basic commands like sit, stay, come, go. I even trained him to bring the newspaper, whoever saw it oohed and aahed, and I was proud as a peacock. When I am off to school he will come till gate to see me off and again at the gate wagging his tail to welcome me back home. The excitement he showed to see me is nothing but pure love. When I'm doing my homework, scattering books all over the floor, he always made sure to nestle in my lap. Even if I push him playfully, he made sure to snuggle back right then and there. The furry manipulator knew just how to melt my heart with his classic puppy dog eyes. He was a good fetch-the-ball player too.
I kiss him and he will be all over me slurping my face. It used to annoy my granny so much. She never approved of this unhygienic behavior, but blacky and I were a team. He has his own bed in a corner as he is restricted of entering bedrooms and kitchen. Every Sunday, it was my chore to give him a bath. He is not very great fan of bathing, just like me. He had his own soap and towel. The Lifebuoy soap that I use on him is worse than his furry stink. However, no amount of coaxing would make my granny to grant him other brands of soap. She even told me to exchange my soap with him if I'm that particular. I did not do that, what I did was using a dollop of shampoo in last round of bathing to give him a nice, fresh, and clean shower. And before bath I will go in search of tics and fleas from his body and kill them.
He was my childhood companion and he made me the better person I'm today with his unflinching devotion, loyalty, and love. I gave my little attention, care, time, and love of my whirlwind childhood, wherein what I got in return from him is multitude. I was in college when Ammamma called to tell me about his demise. I was in tears and none of my friends would understand the attachment or bonding I had with him as they never had any pet for themselves. He was able to live 10 years and I'm glad he had a happy and overprotective family.
My pet name for Jackie was Sundru (Handsome) that he was and he will be my handsome forever.
Being a non-parent one advice I would give to my parent-friends is gift your kids a puppy and books, and you don't have to worry about them being good human beings because that is by default they will be.
