Interpreter of Maladies
Friday, November 26, 2004
a happy memoryThis is something that happened long time back. Why I am remembering it now, I dont know, but its alwasy been one of my happiest memories.
Long back, walking through the concrete streets of my college campus, I noticed this small little pup, crouching behind the thick foliage of the side bush. I like street dogs. Actually for no real reason as such. They just seem so lonely and vulnerable that they make an insecured entity like me feel much better (i know its a real sadist reason, but I wont lie). The pup was dirty and I could see the bacteria and fungus right through its fading fur coat. Yet, I couldnt take my eyes off it. It was annual fest time in my college and there were banners and streamers all around. Couples roaming hand in hand. Everyone so happy, so gay, except the poor little pup.
Time was running fast and I had lunch to catch at my hostel mess. So, forgetting the little pup and basking in the sudden revelation of at least somebody being less happy than me, I strode along. No sooner had I moved that I saw the little thing following me. Infact following is a small word, it was stalking me. At first, I felt sympathetic (read patronizing) but then it irritated me. I could see my classmates staring at me. So, I increased my pace and almost ran inside my hostel gates.
Doggy didnt go even then. I was clueless. I only know English or Hindi. Dog lingua is not something I know. Neither have I had any contact with dogs ever before. i just take sadistic pleasure in sympathizing with them. But this was different. The puppy was looking at me with watery eyes and I could feel that it needed me. Now need is an important thing. Nothing or nobody ever before has needed me the way it needed me then. The little selfish thing that I am, I did something absolutely unexpected. I paid for a bowl full of milk and two rotis and gave it to the puppy. The happiness and fulfillment that I felt on that day is almost unparalleled. I could feel proud of myself that day and thats something I have felt rarely before.
