I remember the days just before the holi when my Father used to give me Rs 2 and then I would run to the kirana store and buy balloons and polythene bags ( the same in which doodhwala bhaiyyas gives milk or curd). I then would fill water in them. Along with my friends and few elderly lads, I would through them over our compound's wall on people and hide. The thrill of running away made us fling with joy . Few used to get really angry and chase us. But many just left grumbling. Many a times I was caught but escaped being a small child then.
That eve was also not much different. All of us including my friends, my elder brothers and their friends were on usual delinquent round ups before holi. We only had last two water filled balloons left and were searching for our most beloved target. His name was Rafiq.
Rafiq was a psycho and a maniac who roamed freely. He had a hobby of staring at the car's window or bike's rear view mirror for hours. It was the only time he ever spoke. He made some weird sounds from his throat while talking to his reflection. Rest of the time he kept mum. If I were to make a list of most unhygienic people on this earth, Rafiq would top the list. He wore a torn Lungi that was never washed and sported a round beard that complimented his dense moustache hiding his lips entirely. His saliva kept dripping from his beard. Even his family members never took him inside their home. If he ever came even closer, his 3 sisters used to chase him out of the area with a stick. When he asked for money or food he only got battering in return. Stones, Kicks, punches.. that was his daily dose of nutrition. With no other option left, he developed the talent of begging.
Bobby, the leader of our group, used to tell us stories about Rafiq. He once told us that Rafiq was a very noble and religious young adult until he fell in love with a girl. He loved her madly. But the girl's family won't agree.The girl's father soon fixed his daughter's marriage elsewhere . When Rafiq came to know about this he got berserk and professed that he would not allow the girl's marriage to happen. Fearing which the girl's father took the help from some baba and did black magic on him. The girl got married. Rafiq never recovered.
I was 7 years old then. We were standing behind a wall hiding from Rafiq. He was walking towards us, all alone, as always on the empty lane. It was dark. Street lights never worked there. Around 9 pm we saw Rafiq coming towards us murmuring something. He kept making his trademark sound from the epiglottis at frequent short intervals.He came closer.We could now hear his footsteps on the silent street.. He might have been just at a distance of 50-60 meters from us when without any warning Ayush, my elder brother's friend threw the balloon on him,. The water balloon exploded as soon as it landed on Rafiq's crooked nose . He got jolted and his ugly face turned red making him look like a haunting ghost in that dark night. He leapt in full speed towards us. So fast that his lungi got loosened which won us some time to give him lead.
We all ran. Since I was the smallest I was left behind. I kept shouting, " Wait for me!" But all were already gone far away. Everybody soon disappeared in the darkness of the street. I was no match for the angry Rafiq's speed. He ran like an athlete. He was roaring in anger and shouting and swearing to kill us all. His voice was getting louder and closer. Finally he caught me by my collar and hunged me in air. My nightmare was now face to face. My mouth was wide opened and I was numb. The fear ran down by nerves. My hands and feet suddenly became so cold.
He stared at me with his frowned face and then surprisingly put me back down . What happened next was I never expected.
In a very polite and elegant way, he said, " Bhai main ek garib aadmi hoon. Dimaagi taur se bimar. Main apne me busy rehta hoon. Main pehle se hi bohot pareshan hoon. Aap log kyun mujh jaise garib aur lachaaron ko pareshaan karte hain? Kya yeh achchi baat hai? Maine aakhir aap logon ka kya bigada hai?"
And then he left.
"That was it?", I thought.
As I walked back home, his words kept echoing in my ears. I felt so bad about my action and promised to never do it again. I never did it.
Holi is a fun filled festival. But one must not create trouble for others. I have even seen elders supporting the young ones for it.
Play holi safe, but do not indulge others. Make children understand where their fun and independence's limit gets over.
And Remember to play dry this year! Water is scarce. We in cities might not be realizing the gravity of this problem but those in the remote part of country are facing an issue of life and death!
Holi is not only about color, its bigger than that!
Happy Holi!
