We all keep thinking about our childhood days and our friends… I had one dearest friend who I remember and brings a smile on my face whenever I remember those days….

— The Pocket full with Rs.2/- —

During my school days around VI Grade I was introduced to the concept of money in the pocket for travelling to and fro from school which was Rs.2/-. The private buses were the only available transport to go to school other than a very old over crowded school bus, the charge being only 50ps one way for school kids and some very generous conductor anna’s don’t even charge that much, most of us preferred this. So I was left with Rs.1/- per day for spending on myself. They were unlimited possibilities with that kind of money. 4 chewing gums or 8 packs of sunflower seeds or Pepsi (nope this is not the Pepsi soda, its a flavored water frozen like ice in plastic like a stick), with a special mention for my favorite Thomas Mitai (A jaggary based sweet which is really chewy). So those were the days which made me rich and used to be always happy spending the money and going back home with something for my little brother. During those days I made a good friend in my class and he was one person who played a major part during my school days. His name was Sairam.

— Sairam and his bicycle —

One day I was coming home from school but was told that there is a bus strike due to some issue. And the only option was left to walk all the way home from school. I was as usual at my favorite shop to pick up sunflower seed packets and also an additional ice cream as I saved half a rupee from the bus fare. I happened to meet my class mate Sairam there and discovered through the conversation that he also stays one street away from my house. So I shared one ice cream with him and we both started walking all the way home.  So we started coming and going to school together this way. He used to explain with a lot of excitement all the movies he used to watch with his dad. Then one day early in the morning rush to school heard a knock on the door, there he was Sairam with a bright happy face wanted to show off his second hand bicycle. I was happy for him and congratulated him. Mom gave him some sweet to eat and we both started to school on the bicycle. As days went by the friendship also grew and today for some reason I have lost in touch with him and I feel that I have missed a good friend, I will make sure that I catch up with him next time I visit his house in Tirupathi.

Now a days even though I earn enough to run a family finances are very complicated., still miss those days how much I used to cherish that Rs.1/- I used to save everyday.

Need to UN complicate life…. Hopefully one day I would be able to achieve it…. on this note c you in my next blog… :).