Apple of the Eye - II

Visually Impaired?

The 'Mall' culture is very much en-vogue in Chennai. It is an irony that they've become the most happening place in a city with wide variety of spots for out-door entertainment like beach, theatres, temples and exhibitions. Yesterday, was my first visit to Citi Center(yeah, a li'l outdated, but for some reason, it didn't appeal to me as much as Spencer's or Lifestyle showroom did).

While I was there, I just realized that 'Lifestyle' is not only the name of a showroom but is a loud and clear statement by itself. It reflects the changing lifestyle of the people of Chennai - More so, related to the topic, 'lifestyle of parents and kids'!

I see more parents in 'mukkaal touser'(3/4ths?) and 'cut banian'(sleeveless t-shirts). Well, it suits the weather, so no complaints. While I was walking across the shop floor, with raised eyebrows looking at the price tags, designs and people looking at them, a loud sharp cry disturbed not just me, but, all the shoppers.

'Somebody help me!' yelled a 'mukka touser' lady. All eyes on her as she continued..

'I lost my kid, somebody help me, my daughter is missing - Aarthi..'

Before, the crowd could react or the situation could sink in, her husband came from somewhere, carrying a one-year old. The kid had a blank look, oblivious to the tension. She hadn't even realized that she got lost.

He said, 'Don't worry, I found her, she's here'.

After this, the lady reacted like Kamalhassan! a mixture of tears, smile and a growl.. and loudly enough, asks the one year old in Junoon Thamizh- 'Enga da pone nee?'

She has been so careless and engrossed in her shopping to miss a one-year old! And, to top that, asks the one-year old toddler, 'Where have you been?' !!! The crowd literally laughed at her.. and hope she realized it.

How did mothers of yesteryears manage with 8-10 kids in a kovil thiruvizha(temple festival)? I wonder!!

That was not it!

After a while, as I was walking, I saw a 50cms tall kid walking alone in front of me. I brushed her hair and heard a voice from behind,

'Is that your kid?'
(Err.. 'Not that I am aware of.. what made you think I'll own up with my parents around?' Thought me..)
But, said 'NO'
The lady then replied, 'I think she has lost her parents and is searching around'
!!!!
We walked behind her, a little worried. Then the lady stopped her to check if she needed help.

That was it. That was the cue for the kid to get scared and cry! All this while, she was searching for her parents, panicking, but not showing it out. The moment a stranger stopped her, she started yelling. The lady who stopped her, looked rather embarrassed and nervous. She didn't know what to do. I saw myself, backing up a little, just to indicate, 'I didn't do this'.

In about 2 mins, her parents (surprisingly another mukka touser mother) found her...

Now, am not against mukka touser, but wondering if it's got anything to do with losing a kid, missing the apple of the eye(topic has to be related). My saree clad mother, never lost me?!