The Chinthu Vignette

I didn't spend much time sleeping last night; some things were on my mind. I'm sitting here now, in my designated, "I'm about to share some of my thoughts" spot, and I can hear the steady stream of traffic on the 5North. I wonder where they're going? I know where Lina and Shanti went this morning...

I can also hear the coaster, you know, it amazes me how many times I hear the horn sound. It's like the driver, or whatever he's called, is pleading with some idiot hiker or biker for them to move away from the tracks so the train can pass without hurting anyone. Idiots.

OK, back to task, I was hoping joy, glee, and happiness would be my mood this morning, but instead it's melancholy. Is it the weather that's outside, the dreary clouds, the cool air and the still breeze or is it that Chinthu will soon get on a plane to return home. In the short time that she was here, I was reminded of the relationship I have with my brother and sister, how much I love them and care about them. I wanted more than anything to share my own story of how I fought for them, but instead I got to listen with eager ears as Bujjie shared many stories of her older sister, the heroine, the advocate, the protector and the resilient - made ever the more apparent with serious paucity in the statement, "I will fight for the ones I love." No laughter, no joking, a look that would halt the sun's setting; she will literally fight for the ones she loves. Mole', and I knew immediately who she loves, her sister; Cagney and Lacey, Thelma and Louise, Gina and Tina and now Chinthu and Bujjie - a new pairing on the duel heroine train, with Tina and Lina threatening to impose on the ranks. Good times, good times, some of them I feel inclined to share:

The Flying Hug:

Late at night as we all sat around. We shared some testimonies of how the day went down. We laughed and we joked, a wink in each eye was shared, when a child's voice broke the ranks and drew the attention of the air. Who could it be descending from the stairs above, unabashed in her love for sleep? Any moment for rest she'd keep, how we loved to see the smile on her face and the descent in her walk said only grace. She found her way to the chair awaiting her, although one of many princesses in a royal home, the court lay subject to her ruling and will. Tonight she'd be the queen. She lifted her hand to reject my outstretched arms, only to offer a flying hug, for the knight who awaits at the door. In thoughts of shared popcorn and laughs, long walks and great memories, sometimes so scared she gaffed. Shady nights and murky clouds couldn't curtail the warmth and brightness of her smile, after a while relenting, she met the knight at the door. She gave a hug and sent him on his way, turning to leave she made one plea, call me tomorrow great knight, so of you I may ask, "What, my fair sir is cracking?

Just a Few Sayings:

How often in conversation with Chinthu, she would have on a half-hearted grin, would she look at you begging you to let her smile break free. Sometimes I'd send a compliment her way, just because her personality made them deserving, but then her wit would deploy and she'd respond without haste, "Yes, of course Will." I was dumbfounded and befuddled, "Is there one as pedantic as I, or is this an act to hide the humble spirit inside?" I found the later to be true, every compliment was met with a wave of the hand, squinted eyes and a ducking head, she turn to hide her face, thinking I didn't see the smile stretched across her face. I'd say things about how nice this was or how great that is and she'd respond, "I know Will." I'd retort, I'm going to try that and you should've shared this to which she'd respond, "That's not sensible." I'd say say, la'ddu, or Kati pori, in which she'd grin and reply, "Of course there's nobody else like me."

Thank you for the memories and I pray your travel to be safe, come back and visit us and let us hear all you have to say. I cannot wait to see your home, and the life that Mole', and TwoT, J. Stanson J, Sandeep and Bujjie speak of with glee. I won't forget that Mole' taught me how to make a girl smile, walk up to her and say "Sony Kudos," I still don't know why I'd mention electronics and candy bars in the same sentence, but maybe that's what's supposed to be funny.

!

I wonder if she's stopped laughing yet, if her stomach still hurts and if her eyes have dried? I think we all laughed that hard last night, all left to long sighs and euphoric moans that spoke of stretched ribs, deflated lungs and hilarity that will be emblazin on our psyches for time too long to forget. How did the conversation start, oh I remember, let me a moment to rehash, I said, "I find that there are 32 states in the country of India. In the 32 states, there are 32 state languages. Each state has it's own language which differs from the national language of Hindi. Within each state you have varying dialects of the same language which differs greatly from the northern dialect and the southern." I then went on to ask them to temper their conversation and to speak in one language when around us "lazy" monolingual Americans.

Not long after, a monosyllabic term, ! made it's way into the conversation, indeliably imprinted on our memories and laughs will be shared for many a day to come. We thought of every ! scenario we could, while everyone threw their heads back and held their abs - they're going to get a workout tonight. Andrea, half in sleep and half out, couldn't resist dropping a few one liners to keep the frivolity going. Joe would sit, then stand, then jog, then walk - all in an attempt to curtail the laughter coarsing through his cheeks. Sandeep had quick quirps of true events, I think the band'll learn "Happy Birthday" soon. Bujjie sat wrapped under pillows and the arms of the couch, only unfolding when laughter caused her legs to straighten. TwoT looked around and said that I was brown, I had a surprise when I replied, "As are you." Mole' pleaded with Will to stop, but common sense and spiritual duty took a backseat to the temporal pleasure of sin - the laughter must continue. Mr. Stanson shook his head, this way and that, in agreement or displeased, laughter took over his thoughts. Chinthu sat on the couch, then rolled on floor, crouched against the couch and layed on the stairs. Her head fell backwards and was thrown forward, her sides were aching and her cheeks were locked. She laughed so hard, I wish we could share them with the lonely, they'd need to know what love looked like when apparent it became that she really loves to laugh. Thank you for laughing with us Chinthu. We will ! see you soon.