I was just trying to remember few names of my childhood friends.Vicky,his brother Nicky,Milan,Sana,Rakesh,Rishikesh,Akham,Mayashang.I can vividly remember each one of them with their faces.I grew up in the State Govt. Quarters located in the outskirts of Imphal city on a foot-hill. The houses were arranged in rows facing one another with narrow lanes between them. All the houses were of same design and of the same size. The Quarters were meant for the State Govt. employees who were posted in the city from remote places. When I look back I feel very lucky to have grown up in a place where people from diverse background meet. One of our next door neighbour was a Muslim and the other was a Christian.At that very young age the only difference I could make between the Eid and the Christmas was that on Eid we were invited by uncle Abdul and on the Christmas by uncle James. And on the Hindu festival - like the Holi or the Durga pooja, we were the host. There was never a religion or cast barrier.
And the other thing that I can proudly say about my childhood locality is that it made me harder in various aspects. Our playgrounds include the vast paddy fields in the front and the dense jungle in the back. I remember a game called "Fire - Fire" - in which the teams were divided into two and then both the teams hide in their respective areas. Then, whenever you saw someone from the other team, you have to shout "Fire" with the guy's name. Then that guy was supposed to be dead. The team with last guy standing was the winner. I don't know if today's children are still playing those games.
Then we use to play various sports depending on the TV telecasts. Sometimes the cricket fever and sometimes the Foot-ball fever. There was never a day when you were short of friends. I still remember my first Man-of-the-match award :).
And how can I forget those fights that happens on a regular basis. I had a fight with almost everyone of them. But then within a week we
were use to be friends again.
And I use to go to school in a bicycle. How can I forget those moments when I learnt riding without using my hands. It was a indeed a gr8 achievment. I can still feel riding under the blue sky. I can still feel the fresh air blowing from the east. Sometimes the wind in in your side and sometimes against you.
I don't know where are those friends. Its been a long long time that I have heard anything from them. They must be busy with their daily routine like me. I hope to meet them again.
Some things become traits and it very necessary to keep them intact.
Cheers,
Tiken
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