When we went to Kashmir in 1984, it was a new experience for me. I was a little girl. What I remember from that trip are shikaras on Dal lake, ponies, horses, other little children of my age, snow-capped mountains, and the greenery in Gulmarg.
The little girl at the boathouse we stayed was named Mastratrashi. She sweetly called me and asked
‘Khelenge’? Which means ‘Shall we play’?
I was shy, said no, and ran back to my parents. When I asked my mom, she told me the meaning of the word. I instantly regretted that I hadn’t understood the word. I was happy that upon my return to Madras, Hindi was introduced in my school as an optional language, and I learned it as a third language. Also, I was able to enjoy Hindi movies after that.
My dad now recalls that another little girl who saw me was interested in my fountain pen. I offered it to her, and she gave me a bag of apples, which we all ate on the bus journey.
