5 STAR DAYS!

Back then, In the 70s, the first of every month used to be the most awaited day in the calendar of our childhood life. We used to wait on the balcony window, craning our necks to catch sight of our home bound dad. His arrival used to gladden our hearts and we would rush down to embrace him with expectant gaze. He was a salaried person and the first day of the month was more important than any other festival in his view, a thought which was shared by millions of salaried class of the country. The salary used to propel them to work harder for the next month and so on, the cycle continued amidst promotions and pay hikes.

My dad usually got hot samosas and jalebis on the pay day and 5 star cadburys' for me and my brother. We used to sit at the dining table and wipe the plates clean in no time. We were growing children and such oily, high calorie food, (there were no burgers or pizzas those days), used to be relished by us little devils. The cadbury would be stored in our individual secret places, to be savoured at leisure, independently and away from the public stares.

Dinner would be generally at the nearby Udipi restaurant with our finest clothes and polished shoes. The adjoining theater's night show would be enjoyed by the entire family, munching popcorn and licking raspberry candies. We would crash on the bed as soon as we reached home. On the pay day, the mood and the ambience of our house used to be pleasant and bright.

We would eagerly await the next payday, more than our dad !

Time gradually passed and my dad retired, we grew up and started earning.

The first of the month is no longer fun for me like my childhood days, I dread it's arrival as it blows big holes in my small pockets. The steep hospital rent, car and home loans, salaries to my driver, house-maids, nursing staff and junior doctors, building maintenance and grocery bills all combine to depress me and my cheque book. A lot of money goes to places I have never known and will never understand.

Its too complicated!

It's really amazing, that once, I eagerly awaited this very first day of every month.

They have a song "Khush hain zamaana, aaj paheli taareekh hain!" Really, to translate this song, ' The entire world is happy on the first date of the month ' ..

But on this day, I am unhappy.

I wish for my childhood 5 star days!