If I were in India right now Star would be rushing through the last bits of her homework trying to get outside. We would hear the laughter of the girls down at the play area. I would be checking out the window to see if Bhanu had convinced Vishal to quit playing cricket and come to the play area. I would also be trying to convince Flip to stop doing extra pages in her homework book and go outside with me.
We would once again discuss the Setty rule of "if you ride bikes you wear helmets" no matter if you feel different from the rest of the kids because they don't wear helmets. I would fight with Flip to try to get her to wear anything but flip flops and most of the time I would lose. The girls would decide between scooters or bikes. I would run back in to fill the forgotten water bottles and we would head down with my girls fighting over who gets to push the lift button.
This early, it would usually be just Bhanu and I, but if we were lucky Sumita and Surahbi would be there. Maybe Sujatha and Anaya. Flip and Ahbi would climb on the swings and begin their calls of "Auntie- Under Dog!" It had become "my thing" and no one else was as skilled as I in pushing the little ones high and then running under the swings shouting "Under Doooog!" as I went. Star and her gaggle of friends would come and go. They would ride bikes or scoot around. They might go to the chit-chat area and play Crock-a-Chain. Or they might sit by the pool and just talk.
After a bit Lakshmi would come down with a big "Hi Girls!" And Bhanu and Lakshmi would have their daily complain-fest about folks hanging clothes on their railings. I would roll my eyes and laugh at them. Bhanu always laughed back. Lakshmi would start her explanation with, "No, you see...." Poornima would come strolling down from the pool entrance, just suddenly appearing between the trees. Bala Auntie would join us after her 1 or 2 rounds. We might see Sowmya on her balcony.
And just as we are all deep in discussion about some recipe or new Chinese restaurant Bhanu would let loose with, "Vi-SHAL, Vi-SHAL!" as she tried to find her forever wandering son. Most of the time we would spot him or his big sister would be sent to locate him. And the conversation would continue.
Sanju would come sauntering in with Niru behind holding some toys but full knowing that Sanju would not play with her own toys. Her toys would be placed in the sandpit or her bike on the edge. Sanju would saunter off to find someone else's sand toys or bike to play with. Just part of her charm.
Around 6.30 the menfolk would come. The menfolk only consisted of Marvel, Chida, Subash and maybe Suraj. But the conversation rolled on, taking time to greet and welcome each friend as they joined the circle. At times the conversation would be serious as the residents discussed some problem with the complex, while us "renters" just hung out and waited for them to finish. But most of the time, this time at the play area was just a way to come together and laugh. And man, did we do a lot of laughing.
So while my body is here in Michigan, looking at my suitcases that have exploded all over my house, my heart is in Sankalp heading down to the play area. I miss you all dearly! You know who you are.
We would once again discuss the Setty rule of "if you ride bikes you wear helmets" no matter if you feel different from the rest of the kids because they don't wear helmets. I would fight with Flip to try to get her to wear anything but flip flops and most of the time I would lose. The girls would decide between scooters or bikes. I would run back in to fill the forgotten water bottles and we would head down with my girls fighting over who gets to push the lift button.
This early, it would usually be just Bhanu and I, but if we were lucky Sumita and Surahbi would be there. Maybe Sujatha and Anaya. Flip and Ahbi would climb on the swings and begin their calls of "Auntie- Under Dog!" It had become "my thing" and no one else was as skilled as I in pushing the little ones high and then running under the swings shouting "Under Doooog!" as I went. Star and her gaggle of friends would come and go. They would ride bikes or scoot around. They might go to the chit-chat area and play Crock-a-Chain. Or they might sit by the pool and just talk.
After a bit Lakshmi would come down with a big "Hi Girls!" And Bhanu and Lakshmi would have their daily complain-fest about folks hanging clothes on their railings. I would roll my eyes and laugh at them. Bhanu always laughed back. Lakshmi would start her explanation with, "No, you see...." Poornima would come strolling down from the pool entrance, just suddenly appearing between the trees. Bala Auntie would join us after her 1 or 2 rounds. We might see Sowmya on her balcony.
And just as we are all deep in discussion about some recipe or new Chinese restaurant Bhanu would let loose with, "Vi-SHAL, Vi-SHAL!" as she tried to find her forever wandering son. Most of the time we would spot him or his big sister would be sent to locate him. And the conversation would continue.
Sanju would come sauntering in with Niru behind holding some toys but full knowing that Sanju would not play with her own toys. Her toys would be placed in the sandpit or her bike on the edge. Sanju would saunter off to find someone else's sand toys or bike to play with. Just part of her charm.
Around 6.30 the menfolk would come. The menfolk only consisted of Marvel, Chida, Subash and maybe Suraj. But the conversation rolled on, taking time to greet and welcome each friend as they joined the circle. At times the conversation would be serious as the residents discussed some problem with the complex, while us "renters" just hung out and waited for them to finish. But most of the time, this time at the play area was just a way to come together and laugh. And man, did we do a lot of laughing.
So while my body is here in Michigan, looking at my suitcases that have exploded all over my house, my heart is in Sankalp heading down to the play area. I miss you all dearly! You know who you are.
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