For engineering students, afflicted by the demons of perpetual assignments, quizzes and above all, the hideous specter of mid terms, vacations are a dream worth cherishing. But when boredom plunges in, it takes a few instances in turning this pleasant dream into a horrible nightmare.
However, there are a few things that prove to be an adventure of lifetime in this dull and monotonous routine of life. Taking care of babies, in fact to be a bit closer to reality, to tackle the babies happens to be one of such tasks, some would like to call it a labor. And this requires even more courage and perspiration when their mothers, in moments of being typical women, are out on a shopping excursion. At least this is what my personal experience reminds me every now and then, whenever I find myself launched into such situation.
I have two married sisters and four cute little nephews. Although I like to call them little angels of my heaven, they can very efficiently prove themselves to be the demons of plunder and forebears of trouble.
One fine Sunday, it so happened that the mothers devised a usual runtime plan for shopping, and of course, I was supposed to take care of the babies. I was in the phase of formulating ways to tackle the situation tactically when Ukasha, the eldest of the four, realizing that his mother was on her way out without accompanying him, started crying with maximum volume. Other three, although not quite comprehending completely what had happened, merely followed their chief and started to rhyme his voice with quite impressive precision. The mothers, evidently used to such situations, got off and locked the door from outside. Now it was dear me and dare-them in the battle field.
I somehow calmed them down by distributing a handful of sweets among them and this first stage passed without any big trouble.
I left them playing in the T.V lounge, which I admit was a mistake, and started reading a book in the drawing room. Not more than a few moments had passed when my attention was diverted by a loud noise which was followed closely by a shrill utter of cry. I rushed out of the room to witness the scene which simultaneously surprised and scared me out of my wits. Khuzaima, the boxer, was riding poor Mas’ab who was yelling out helplessly. The actual source of noise, however, was elsewhere. It was the devastation of the beautiful mantel-piece into pieces by Ukasha, who was now standing boastfully in the manner of a king, analyzing the rubble of the conquered field. I, after an appreciable effort, managed to gather them in their sleeping room and for some time, tried to calm them down into repose. This, however, proved to be another feeble attempt at curbing the uncurbed and they kept giggling, laughing, pinching each other and crying at regular intervals, as if celebrating my helplessness!
I, finally, was compelled to give up the now-not-so-bright idea of making them sleep and decided to try my luck at something different. Observing, or having being made to observe, that they were fairly in mood of delighting and enjoying, I carried them into the lawn and freed them there. For some time, this proved to be a fortunate idea and everything went as good as it gets. Only after a while I realized that it was only a lull before the storm.
Saad was trying his best to get himself seated on the bike and Khuzaima was pulling his sleeve so that he may be given the privilege as well. I went towards them so that they may not throw themselves off the bike accidentally. They didn’t wait for my arrival and in the face of continuous jerking and tugging, the stand gave up. Khuzaima was, until that time, out of the range of the blast while Saad, fortunately, launched straight into my hands. My poor bike, though, sustained some serious injuries during this fiasco. I was in the process of condoling and mourning over the bike when I had to turn because of a bang. Before I could understand what hit me this time, there was another bang. Mas’ab, who usually happens to be the most peaceful of them all, had taken effective advantage of my diversion and indulgence in some other business and had shattered two vases to their doom!
Meanwhile, Ukasha was menacingly advancing towards the table upon which I had placed my book and glasses. I rushed towards him but, to my utter chagrin in this particular matter, the kid once again proving to be too bright and fast, had efficiently torn asunder a couple of pages out of the book with his cute little paw.
By this time, my patience had quite exhausted and I decided to leave the little rascals on their own, but I soon realized that they hadn’t decided the same about me. I brought my lunch and seated myself on the ground, placing the lunch alongside me. Khuzaima, after considering the meal with some curiosity, paced towards it in the manner of a food inspector who was there to analyze it. I tried to shoo him off with a small piece of bread but apparently his ambitions were higher than that. Other three, having witnessed this achievement of Khuzaima, decided to try their luck as well. The best thing that struck my mind was to give up and flee from the battle field. But as fate would have it, just when I was rising, Saad stretched his hand, or maybe we should call it claw, and the next instant, plateful of my favorite Chinese rice was on the ground, with the rice scattered all around. For some moments, all of us stood in utter silence, as if mourning at the funeral of the dear departed. Just when I was contemplating on my next strategy and the little imps on their next move, their was the blessed knock on the door. The mothers had arrived at the very climax of this episode.
Children were given ice-creams and sweets for their being staying at home and honoring their mamoon with their lively company while I, who had faced the music with perfect patience and forbearance, was not even considered worthy of a few words of gratitude. It wasn’t really needed, after all, as I had only performed my responsibility!