The thing with memories: Part II

“A hand reached out for me from over my head as I stood and fumbled on the final few narrow rickety steps leading to the third floor of the 150 year old mansion.” It was grandma narrating her wedding night to me, her grand daughter. Her real life episodes were a perfect timeout during the month long study leave before the final school year exam.



“One hand grabbed the glass of milk from my shaking hands," she continued, "and with a sweep of the other, landed me on the mud floor. The wooden rafters creaked and I felt my entire being sway as I tumbled into your grandpas’ arms,” giggled grandma, turning all coy at the very memory of her first night.


Priya shuddhered and had goose pimples all over. Grandmas’ rewinds were always fantastic but this one was the best! In an instant Priya’s algebra jogged mind was abuzz with a scene from a period film. The star cast – her grandparents. The location – her ancestral home; an imposing three floored structure. Her memories of the shining black floor of the long rectangular verandha reflected a piece of history from her ancestry, her roots. The nostalgia of weaving circles around the 12 large wooden pillars lining the verandha, on hot lazy afternoons came spinning back. The joy of carefree frolicking through the maze of a `hundred’ rooms, among the flurry of relatives and cousins still dazed her.


“And then….” asked Priya with expectations of a Mills and Boons scene recount.

“….and then what?” repeated grandma, “the two of us slept like good children” she answered with the same twinkle in her eyes, which long ago must have set her grandpas’ heart on fire. Priya wanted to coo `aww’ `so sweet’ `how romantic’ but knew very well that her grandma wouldn’t approve of it….because according to her it was very unbecoming of young women to be so vocal of their feelings.


For the rest of the break time, till Priya resumed her exam studies, her mind traveled to another state, another town, to the junction at the market place where her ancestral home stood. It was along the national highway, an important trade route from centuries ago. The wood and mud structure with stone foundation, was built by her fathers forefathers. The third floor was the designated `wedding chamber’ for the latest newly weds in the family. It was their bedroom till a fresh wedding in the house took place.................