The Mushroom park of memories

Let me introduce you to this park - ‘Zipliner park’ or ‘mushroom park’ as we call it. A month ago, we frequented this place when our parents had visited. It was at the time of heatwave, the grass was dry and brown. Every evening as we stepped out for walk, amma and I discussed different routes. But we always ended up at this park, it being a favourite of achan and Laya’s.

While achan walked determinedly around the park to complete 5 rounds or more, Manish and Laya checked out the gym equipments and amma and I had our ‘deep’ mother-daughter conversations (can’t have enough of that, right).

Later, everybody took turns at the swing set. And I didn’t need to swing for joy..my heart was filled to the brim just watching them enjoy and laugh in care-free manner, which was a rare sight. Even when amma kept asking me to join, I did not want to move an inch from my place. I was trying to freeze that frame in my mind, as no photo or video did justice enough. Later, amma told me that it was the first time she saw achan on a swing. How precious is that! It was their first proper holiday. And for once they weren’t worried about forgetting their phones, glasses or bag.

Later we all walked upto these mushroom seats in the middle of the park. There were exactly 5 of them. Laya always sat tall on the tallest seat. While we talked away, we took turns to play badminton. In between I sneaked a few pictures. 

While on some of these days we played with dogs, hid painted rocks and picked feathers with Laya, this was more or less our routine when parents were here. 

I had not visited this park for the longest time after they left. Today morning, I fancied a walk there. The park was empty and inviting. The grass was lush green as we have been blessed with a rainfall or two recently. My heart is filled again with the memories of our laughs. As I walked the path following achan’s footsteps, there was a breeze and a few leaves fell on me, as if to enquire where the rest of us were. 

Well, the grass is green now. The memories too.