1st June 2013… I was supposed to pick Aaryan from School at 12 noon to bring him back for his week-long summer vacation. After, doing everything at a slow pace in the morning, I still managed to reach the school at 9.30 am. I thought it was better to observe the life at a boarding school than sit in my hotel room and flick the channels on TV which couldn’t hold my interest even for a minute.
As soon as I entered the school gate, I realized that there was a change of plans. I met Aaryan’s dormitory matron and she informed that I could take Aaryan along with me, right away.
With a spring in our step we moved towards our cab, a cursory look at the time (it was 9.45 am, then) a realization hit us. Our bus was scheduled to leave at 4.30 pm. Having checked out of the hotel, how do we spend 6.5 hours with bags and baggage on the road?
The earlier plan was to leave the school by 12.30 pm, a leisurely lunch at a restaurant near the school and then an hour of chatting and catching up with the sonny boy at the ISBT should make the time fly till it was time for the bus to take us home.
I sounded my thoughts and doubts to Aaryan and he quickly gave a solution, “Let’s go to the Mall Road”. (Mall Road is the only happening place in Shimla). Mall Road? I pondered for a minute and realized that this was indeed the best and only option for us to spend 6 plus hours in a nice enjoyable way.
The cab driver had other engagements (he had to leave with another family to Kufri), so he couldn’t wait with our luggage while we entertained ourselves at the Mall Road. We had to leave the taxi along with our bags.
After dragging my strolley bag uphill and Aaryan carrying his heavy rucksack on his shoulders, our first stop was Sagar Ratna for a nice authentic South Indian brunch. We were the first customers to enter the eatery. It seemed that they had started their kitchen preparations only after seeing us! Sitting by the window, it was fun chatting and observing life on that part of the Mall Road. We were neither in a hurry and nor that hungry. For the first time, we really welcomed the delay in serving of food at a restaurant. By 11.30, the last sip of filter coffee made it’s way down my throat and an hour and a half had passed. Next stop should be…? Aaryan read my thoughts and decided once again, “Ma, let’s go for a movie”. A movie??!! He explained, “That is the only place where our time will fly easily and also we would be free from carrying our luggage for a few more hours!” That sure was logical reasoning. Our next stop is the Ritz movie theatre. The booking clerk informed that the show had already started at 11 am. The next show was scheduled at 2 pm. Waiting was not an option, so we decided to go in for the 11 am show, although we would have missed about 45 minutes of the movie.
As we were keeping our luggage at the reception (Yes, they were kind enough to take care of our bags while we enjoyed the movie) Aaryan asked me, “Ma, which movie are we watching?”.
I stuttered and looked here and there for inspiration, as telling him that we are here for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani seemed a bit embarrassing and awkward for the mother in me.
I told him to read the poster. We entered the cinema hall and saw Ranbir dancing on Balam Pichkari. Very soon, it was intermission and I saw the people around me. And I was the most elderly person in there!! I was surrounded by school and college going kids!!
A 22-24 year old passed my seat to get popcorns etc and soon he returned back too. On his return, he said, “Sorry, Aunty, I am disturbing you!”. I mumbled a ‘No Problem’ and saw Aaryan giving a funny look to that guy. I asked the reason for that look and he said, “He should have called you, Ma’am”! The mother in me was so proud of my son.
The movie was a classic case of all hype and no fizz.
After the movie, our next stop was at Domino’s Pizza. We got some pizzas and tacos packed for the journey.
A cab was hired and off we went to ISBT. Found some chairs to sit and met parents of Aaryan’s friend who were also travelling by the same bus. And an hour passed without we knowing about it as we had so much to share/ask and talk about.
The bus started promptly at 4.30 pm and an hour of the drive on the hills saw both of us vomiting! Driving in the hills does this to me. It was the first time for Aaryan though. No, we didnt dirty the bus or puked on ourselves. The Volvo bus that we were traveling in provided us with vomit bags. A long day, full of excitement and thrills came to an end as sleep finally honoured us with its presence.
52 Responses
The unexpected joys life throws! I am sure the day was much more memorable than you would have anticipated 🙂
That’s why I wanted to record it here!! 🙂
Happy you both had a great time. More bonding. That’s the way to go.
It was some good fun. Thanks SG 🙂
It is not “long post” I guess. 🙂
Nice read. AG’s stories drag me to my times. 🙂
Thanks Makk. For me, anything above 500 words is a long post! 😛
You have been a boarding too! Right? Which one!?
mother-son bonding is so very crucial these days….only when u sit with them for something THEY want to do, you get to learn a lot about their lives. maybe daughters talk more easily with moms, but with sons it’s different…..our best times have been over movies too….”chota bheem and the throne of bali” and “alvin and the chipmunks” types!!! Hubby doesn’t enjoy these flicks and so it’s always me and my little ones…and i’m amazed at how much info they share with me during such outings!
Thanks for sharing your experience, S!! Glad that you share some wonderful moments with your kids, too 🙂
A pick-up that turned into an outing…nice! And yeah, I’ve come by these grown men, addressing me as “aunty”, just because they see kids tagging along!
It is so outrageous!! Feel like giving such people a knock on their heads! 😛
I loved loved loved this post, Shilpa! That was such a wonderful account of your day spent with your sonny boy. Heres to more such bonding moments with him 🙂
BTW, I’m beginning to like Bloglovin’ more and more! For starter it allows me to ‘heart’ a post and of course I love the interface. Thanks for suggesting it to me 🙂
Thanks for the lovely wishes, Deeps!
Am glad you are liking Bloglovin’ too. It is certainly better than Feedly and even Google Reader! 🙂
Very interesting.As the children grow they become more protective for their Moms. I really liked Aryan’s reaction to the stranger boy calling you Auntie instead ofMaa’m.Such a sweet reaction.
Yes, they feel responsible for their sisters/mothers’ safety etc. He would insist on carrying the heavy bag though he is just a kid! Guess, that’s being taught in school!
Oh, so sweet of having the whole day out with your son.I can see you both enjoying each other’s company. Whenever my son wants to go somewhere he will always ask me to come with him, we would go shopping, we would eat at some hotel, and have good time.
Now also he keeps asking me to come and visit him in the US.
Whatever I ask him from there he will search for the exact thing and bring it for me, like eye lash curler, some particular lip plumper and all kinds of the crazy things I ask him.
It is so much fun to bond with children even when they grow older.
I thought you lived in Rajasthan, are you living in Delhi?
I enjoyed reading your day out with your son
It was one of the best day of my life! 🙂
Wow… that’s so very cool… am so happy that you share such a fab relationship with your son! Super like!
Yes, we live in Jaipur, Rajasthan!
Some of my well-spent days are the ones I hang out somewhere with my four yr old boy 🙂 And pizza, tacos, Sagar Ratna + Hairpin Bends? Not a good combination Shilpa 😀
Enjoy all these moments with your sonny boy, Jaishree!
Oh… it was just Sagar Ratna and a anti-emetic tablet… pizza and tacos were had much later after the puking session! 😀
Such a lovely date that 🙂
It was a fun date! 🙂
Time is a luxury, these days. It’s good that you were able to enjoy some free time which you accidentally got!
Destination Infinity
Well said, making the most of the present is the key!
A day long date with your son! really sweet :)now you would be really happy that you checked out of the hotel early 🙂
You bet 🙂
Aah!! I lvoe such kind of days when you plan to do something else and actually end up doing something totally different 😀
U know I fell in Love with Mall road? I wish cud go there again!!!
They say, surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us… and we got a nice surprise that day!!
I like Mall Road too but I wish there were more areas like Mall Road in Shimla!
Wow Shilpa!! Loved every detail of the date you had with your son.
When kids are grown, it is fun to be friends with them rather than just being the parent. And I can so see that bond between you two. I hope you all have a great summer break.
Thank you so much, Parul. We had a good time during the break too… we studied together and did a project together too! 😀
Nice to know you enjoyed a leisurely day with your son Shilpa:) these kind of special times will be harder to come by as years pass…
Well a movie and a lunch with a lovely boy sure qualifies as a date 😀
Yes, making the best use of the moment is the mantra! 😀
It was a lovely date… thanks 🙂
Yesterday I had posted my comment,but nothing can be seen here.
Oh! Just rescued it from the spam folder! 🙂
Lovely lovely post Shilpa. The narration was so very direct and smooth, well done. And you must be super-proud of Aryan, such nice manners, very rare these days.
Reminds me so much of my Dad, and how we used to kill time (movies of course and Columbus’ing : finding out good places nearby randomly).
Thanks a lot for your warm words, Nandana… am beaming :))
I liked the idea of Columbus’ing! and movies are the bestest way to spend time!
Awwww….I enjoyed reading your date and this will make a great read for you both years later. Cherish the week ahead with your son. More such times to you:)
Thanks a lot, Asha! 🙂
Yes, that’s the idea… hope we read and remember it in the times ahead some warm smiles and fond memories!
Quality time with your son… that too unexpected 🙂
I am sure you guys would have had a great time together. Aryan seems to be quite the intelligent, sensible gentleman!
The date and the week that followed… well, we had a good time!
He is kid on his way to become a gentleman… fingers crossed! 😀
That’s my kinda date Ma’am. 🙂 Super time you must have had. 🙂
We had a great time. Thanks Ma’am 🙂
uffff….imagined the whole day in front of my eyes…btw, next time, don’t eat and ride on the hills, aunty 😛
Thank you, Aunty for the advice 😀
LOL….for sure, Rushi wouldn’t be as wise as Aaryan is..:P
Dont worry, we are in the same boat… Aaryan shows just some sparks of wisdom, sometimes… otherwise, he is as bratty, as kiddy as kids of his age! 😀
awesome 😀 I wish I could spend this kind of quality time with my parents 🙂
Amen to you wish, Raj 🙂
A-week-long summer holiday sounds so disturbing!! But I guess they have a longer winter break, right?
And you should try to shed your inhibitions…these movies can help you open up with your son. Just saying 🙂
Yes they have 3 months of winter break!
Agree with that… its just that the name of the movie sounds too cheesy to be watching with a 11 year old! That’s another story that he far from understanding all this jazz 😛 😀
Enjoyed reading abt the lovely time you and aaryan had..very nice bonding.. touch wood
Thank you so much, Lavina 🙂
Parents look for these happy and exciting days.but,as I said earlier,how we wish such weeks had more than seven days.
Anyway,you had a good time.
Did you say Mall?I was born there sooooooooooo many years back
I know, wish that was a reality!
Are you from Shimla!!?? Wow!