déjà vu...

Yesterday afternoon was quite sunny and pavements were empty as people shun an intense sunny afternoon by all means. I was waiting at the bus stop near the nearby primary school, waiting for bus and observing kids coming out of the school and parents and maids eagerly waiting for the kids. Some were holding their umbrella while some sat on their bicycle. I was about to take my book when a little girl's trembling voice reached my ears, "Aunty, could you please lend me your phone??" She was of Achu's height and could be the same  age or an year older, was wearing school uniform and her hair was plaited on either sides.

I raised my head and looked at her and met her watery eyes. She was trying hard to hide her tears and her fear. I asked her, "what happened? why are you crying?" . She replied "I cannot find my mom, she told she will wait for me." Saying which she was about to move forward. I told her "please don't go, sit here near me,and tell me your mom's number. I will call her for you . whats your name??" . Immediately she told her name and the number and I dialled it but to our disappointment phone was engaged. I could sense her tension increasing. I asked her the block where she was staying and it was a nearby one. She was biting her lips and wiping tears. I dialled the number again and this time the phone started ringing. I put it in speaker mode and let the girl talk to her mom. She was talking loudly and in a half crying tone in Chinese and I couldn't understand a word. When she was done I talked to her mom and asked her where she was. To our great relief she was already on  her way to the school. By this time, I had decided that even if  my bus comes in between I wouldn't take it and let the girl find her mom first. Suddenly the little girl shouted, "that's my mom", took her bag and ran towards a slim lady wearing yellow T-shirt and white shorts, going towards the school. I felt  happy and relieved to see it, at the same time realised that she didn't say a word to me before running...In that excitement no action of courtesy would have seemed more important to the little girl than catching up her mother's attention. I could overhear her mom's loud voice and her replies equally loud...I watched them going together, crossing the signal and when her mom faced me on the other side of the road, the girl was pointing towards me and telling something and her mom waved to me and I waved back...and... we smiled. For a brief moment I felt all the insecurities I had while I was a child waiting for my mom after my school...and once again felt the joy of meeting mom after a long wait...We grow up to be independent but those experiences which we had that really touched our hearts remain in us and at times feel to us like a déjà vu ...