“Tanish… dear wake up, you remember what day it is?” Hearing her call him, Tanish wrapped himself in the blanket and tried to take as much as possible of sound sleep in those two minutes, he expected her to be there soon as usual. He loved it when she removed the blanket from his face and would give him his morning kiss. Sometimes he would pretend to be sleeping just not to miss her kiss. She was standing there and he could sense she was keeping the things back to place. He tried not to open his eyes. “Tanish… Shona wake up, we have to go. You remember where we have to go?” she called out placing the football in the rack, she came and sat down by his bedside and slowly tried to unwrapp the blanket from his face, he could smell her fresh hair and her soft hands moved across his face and finally after admiring her sleeping beauty she gave him his most awaited morning kiss. He still wanted more of her love he tightly closed his eyes.
“Tanish, sweetheart I know you are awake and so you better get up and…”
Before she could finish her sentence Tanish answered her “Mom, How can you always know about me so well?” He pulled the blanket and was off the bed, when he realized what day it was today… he ran behind her and wrapped himself around her legs… “Mom… you are going to come with me na? You remember na what day it is today…. ”
she hugged him back and picking him she moved towards the bath… “yes dear, Me and also your dad, we both are going to come… ”
“Really? Wow that will be so much of fun… ” he cried in excitement.
He was so excited, today without any complaining he grabbed the glass of milk on table and had his breakfast in no time. He was the first person to get ready and be inside the car. He impatiently waited for his mom and dad to come there and when he saw them coming he called out his dad, “Dad… come fast, we will get late.” to which his dad nodded and acted to do things really fast and laughed… as he approached the car, before getting into the car they did hi-five, “So my Son is ready for the great day huh? ”
“Yes!! very much..” he chuckled.
His dad took the driving seat and mom the seat besides it and Tanish was peeping out from the space between them looking for answers for all his questions. Soon the trio started their journey in their Esteem. On the way Tanish observed all the things around happening very curiously.
“Mamma, will I get a apple or peach or orange or… ”
“Tanish, Beta how can I tell this now to you? Let’s go there and then find out huh?” Tanish nodded happily to her and looked out of the window, the fresh air caressed his light brown hair. His eyes twinkling in excitement.
“Mom what tree is that?” he asked pointing to one of the passing tree. He kept asking them so many questions. Some were answered some remained unanswered. Tanish was 3 years old and it was his first day to school. Like all other children who cry on their first day even Tanish would have cried, but he was excited about going to school, there was one major reason apart from all the other reasons given by his parents to convince him that going to school is the most beautiful thing. The school had organized a ceremony to make the first day of every child memorable.
Soon they reached the school main gate. Piyush dropped Tanish and Palak at the gate and headed towards the parking. While Palak started towards the pendal, Tanish looked around he was excited to study his new school, there was a big playground which had many attractions, a few of them playing the marry go round, some on the see-saw, some enjoying the slide. Piyush had joined them in no time and they moved to the pendal and made themselves comfortable.
“Kabhi socha hai kya… barish kyu gaye, kyu geet bewajah hotoo pe aaye… kyu achi lage pal mein lehre… ye sab ishare hai sang jo hamare hai… dil ne hamare… hai saware pyaar ke liye” played in the background softly but clear and distinct.
As time passed the pendal started getting energy and was almost full to its capacity, enthusiasm was in air, Tanish found so many new friends. The air was filled with energy, hopes, chirps and friendship.
Everyone settled down as they saw the principal approaching the stage. As she took over the mike she saw the excitement and curiousness in every little ones eyes. She started her speech “As we welcome our new members to our family we would like this day to be memorable to each one of you, so this function you see, as you all know we are going to plant a small sapling here which every child has to take care and water every day, take care of him as their mom takes care of theirs, see to it that they don’t fall sick, they have to attend school regularly as this friend of theirs will be waiting for them here daily, so children, everyone makes me a promise they will take care of their new friend and as you grow in this school this sapling will also grow and your friendship will also grow so will you be regular to school to meet your new friend? ”
“Yes miss…” came the reply in chorus.
Happy with the response she signaled someone at the backstage, and soon the stage was filled with saplings. She called out every ones name alphabetically, Tanish was waiting impatiently for his name to called out. Finally when his name was announced, he ran towards the stage and collected his sapling. He came down running towards his parents to show them.
He handed the sapling to Palak and before she could even have a proper look he started firing his questions, “Mom what is it? A Peach or orange? Or apple?” Palak smiled at him and replied, “Its a Tamarind”
“Means??” he snapped back..
“Imali khatti meethe ber… chal ghar jaldi ho gayi der…. that wali Imli..” Palak said and smiled looking at his expression. The students were then asked to think of a name for their new friend and all were taken to the open space and everyone got busy in planting. Palak casually asked Tanish what name has he thought for his new friend in a while they will have to declare it.. he thought for a while and then he asked, “ Mom What is that tree called that full fills all wishes…” Palak and Piyush were smiling listening to his innocent questions and then Palak answered, “That tree is called Kalptaru.”
“hmm… ok then I will call my new friend Taru….”
