This post is not inspired from Ruskin Bond's The Blue Umbrella. I couldn't find another word for chaddar, you will understand as you read on.
The hero of this post is my green chaddar. It came to my life some 7 years back, and its not any normal chaddar i.e bedsheet/bedcover nor is it some blanket, it is actually two cotton saris stitched together, these saris belonged to my grandfathers' sister and she did the work. Its a plain good old green, but i dont reckon theres any cloth softer than it. I have slept with it since the day I got it, through summers , winters ,rainfalls. Its a bit tattered now, but I love it nonetheless.
It provides the perfect warmth and even in summers feels nice. I think the softness comes from being used by a woman who is as soft as a feather, a drop of vaseline cream, a mound of softy.She's no more but her touch remains. It feels nice.
Earlier I used to sneak it in my suitcase, when we'd go on a trip. Well the first time around my dad said 'The hotel staff will throw it away with the morning rubbish'. I was adamant. It goes where I go. Resort ho ya hotel, I've taken it with me, coz when I have it, sleep comes easily.
You might think why this silly post about attachment to a non-living thing.
I"ll be leaving home in about a month, and will of course smuggle it with me, and it will remind me of all the times I've slept in peace, in worries, in half awakened sleep.... in my home.
BTW time for a Mom Dialogue:
Mom: oh I will miss you too much
me: ma you are doing as if I'm getting married!
Mom: That would've been better *sob*
me: WHAT!!
Mom: at least there are no fixed no. of holidays in a marriage .
Slowly the realization is dawning that I may after all miss home. home cheez hi aisi hai :)However , my green chaddar will remain with me , as a lil reminder, of things that made up 'home' & I really hope that we stay together ,always.
