I miss..

Having Mom wake me up in the mornings.

Seeing her sitting on the floor, reading the newspaper with her steaming morning tea.

Watching my brother take his G.I. Joes, He-Mans and Hot Wheels into the shower. Don't ask me why. I don't know. Really.

The smell of melting ghee that Mom would smear over hot chapatis.

Wishing all the family members "Goodnight" when we retired to bed.

Talking random stuff with my brother as we lay in our beds, trying to sleep.

Sitting on the terrace on a cold night, using matchsticks to decorate our hands with henna.

Shelling peas with my aatya, Rani tai and Mom.

Mom showing me how to scrape off dried henna with oil.

Going for walks on mini Seashore and eating pani puri right after.

Being surprised with chikki or falooda when my parents got home from work.

Playing Land and Water, Hide and Seek, Sakhli, Lagori with colony friends.

Getting my ass whooped by my bro in badminton(but secretly proud that he played so well).

Playing badminton late at night till we could barely make out the shuttlecock/birdie. And, with imaginary nets.

My brother making phulkas under Mom's supervision(I baked the cake).

Visitng Mom's office in World Trade Center and pressing every floor on the elevator( there were 32).

Setting the table for Sunday lunch - tata, vatya, chamche, paanyacha jug, glasses and awesome food!

Watching an afternoon movie after Sunday lunch.

Dad saying all the punchlines of the movie we were watching.

The TV remote spazzing out when Dharmendra came on screen(Dad was the biggest fan ever!).

Dad touching my head and pretending he was burnt everytime I was angry...which happened a lot!

Chasing my brother when he irritated me. Then, him chasing me to hit me back.

My brother doing the "Hrithik" dance from Kaho na Pyaar hai..tining tining tining tin nin nin...

Biting into hot juicy, roasted, chilli-lemon smeared bhuttas when it was wet and rainy out.

Going to my aunt's office and THEN asking for a dosa. Sada, not masala.

Playing Jolly with school friends. Princess M! Had a mole on her hand so you could never win with her!

Getting to school early to copy out other people's homework.

Imitating teachers during the free periods. Pal, Albert, Nair Madam... ahhh esss come back!

Riding a bicycle with my Dad supporting the back.

Picking at scabs, pricking blisters even though we were told not to.

Going to school in blue and grey uniforms. Coming home in brown. And without the tie.

Climbing the colony gates and jumping over..

Swinging on the school gates.

Antakshari on the school bus ride home.

(incomplete)