Walk in the Park

It is said to be good to be active right from the early months of pregnancy. So making the best use of my free time, (I can’t even make my job as an excuse now ) I have started a routine of evening walk in the nearby park.

As I start my rounds around the walking tracks, I notice from the corner of my eye that the benches along the track is filled with people. I see all kinds of people, mostly elderly couples or men/women groups ! Crowded onto one kalBench you can hear their conversations. The women are exchanging recipes, or talking about the progress their grandchildren are making at school or otherwise. The men are generally into their fav – politics ! Recently the city saw a hurried canvasing for the local body elections. Around this time, we saw a woman candidate from a prominent political party enter the park gates to meet the aam janta and knowing their problems. Once she had left, the usual topic became even more interesting to discuss!

Amidst all of their conversations, these elderly can still keep track of ‘who’ is walking the track for what reason. Their eyes slowing land on my protruding bump and they give a small unknowing smile. The smile is not wide and explicit, but I know that mentally they are just wishing well for the bump ! There are many ladies in different sizes of bumps, some of them slowly making their way, some a little more enthusiastic to be active ! Everyone just looks at each other and turns away, fearing if their thoughts would be read.

Amidst the loud screams and laughs from the children park, I rest on one of the kalBench listening to a spiritual song or a recital going on at the adjoining temple.