Takatak

It was a beautiful day. Rohan was back from school all drenched in sweat, threw his back-pack in one corner and hurled the shoe towards tee poi, one sock into the washbasin and another on the bed. He saw his dad sleeping and suddenly it struck him that he was going to leave tonight for his monthly business trips. By then his dad woke up. He asked, “Rohan you are back? How was the day at school?” Rohan replied hurriedly, “Yes dad, it was good. Dad, what will you get for me from Delhi?” Rohan had always been fond of gifts. Rohan’s dad went in dilemma since he knew he hardly gets time on the trip being business is in recession. Rohan noticed that and replied spontaneously, “Dad, get me Takatak from Haldiram’s” Dad raised his eye-brows and surprisingly asked, “Nothing else?” Rohan with a smile on his face, “Yes, Dad you know I love food”

For next two years Rohan always used to ask for same Takatak till the day arrived when Rohan was leaving for abroad for further studies. He told his dad, “Papa, Takatak toh idhar bhi milta hai” Dad was surprised, “Then why you used to ask me to get all the way from Delhi” After listening to Rohan’s words his Dad’s eyes went wet, hugged him and told “Now I have no worries for you going abroad alone. You will make me proud” Rohan had told, “It never mattered what was in the gifts. All it mattered was that you got something for me even when the time was rough for you”