My Childhood Journey.

3.The Regular Visitors

As a child I still remember some of the people who come to my house on a regular basis. They are none other than the postman , the milk man , the flower seller and the groundnut lady. After so many years also I can still recollect their peculiar mannerisms and the unique way they carried out their work.

The postman was of course is not a person who comes daily to our house, but still we consider him a part of our life as he brings important information to us..

Our area postman was a short man with a sore throat voice. Whenever I heard his voice calling out "post, post!!!" I always felt as though something is stuck in his throat and due to which the full through of his voice is not there...and moreover when i think about the postman I get reminded of his khaki coloured uniform and the matching khaki cap. I always wondered how the cap stayed glued on his head even though he used to swing his head on all sides while conversing.

During my school days the postman was the only person who was the most sought after in the summer vacation as he had all our result cards from school. Whenever we heard his voice we rushed outside to see whether he got our result card, but most of the time we got fooled as the letters would be for someone else. But when we relax ourselves, that would be the time the result card actually arrives. On receiving the envelope from him, i would feel thrilled to open it as though there is a happy message waiting to be revealed. But even before I could open the envelope, the postman would say in his husky voice,"ellam pass than!"(all pass only). Just hearing that statement from him would make me feel so excited even before I could open the result card.

The milk man is another person who is remembered just for his moustache. He had a very lengthy and thick moustache which made him look like a strict person but when he started to converse, that previous opinion will definitely change. He was a Malayalee, so his Tamil slang was kind of funny to hear. He always came in a fast pace shouting, "pal!!! , pal!!!",I always thought he was in a great hurry and lot of people are waiting for him, because of the way he rushed each day. And whenever the milkman came, i used to stare at his moustache more, than on the milk that was being poured. He always wore a white shirt, quite a transparent one and a lungi, folded up to his knee. He also wore a heavy white metal strap watch, quite a big one which shook violently as he flung his hand while talking in a exclusively loud tone.

In those days, the milkman brought the milk in a can to each house and we would get it in our household vessel. It is still funny to think how life has changed in the past years when it comes to the milk service system.

Once during a marriage function in our area I happened to spot the milkman and the postman in a festive wear. I actually couldn't associate these type of dresses with them as my mind had registered their regular wear. I told my father that it will be difficult for people to recognise them as they are on a different outfit and should come in their usual wear. Recollecting these kind of small incidents makes me laugh now.

The flower selling lady is the next one on my list. She was an old lady with a high pitched voice. I think that all the trading people develop a kind of peculiar tone to their voice just to enhance their business as it attracts the attention of the customers. Most of the commodities are associated with the rhythmic sing song voice of the sellers rather than their name or appearance. I can still recall the way she used to recite the name of the flowers in a song like fashion which echoed throughout the streets...

The flower lady regularly came at 5:30pm in the evening. Whenever I opened the door , the smell of the jasmine flower nearly mesmerised me. The flower lady never took no for the answer and will keep on marketing her flowers till we bought them. She used to measure the flower strands in her hand from the palm to the elbow and at times in their speed of measuring they used to shorten the length... I still remember measuring them once again in my hand and showing the difference...this made her quite angry but at the same time it did not stop her from following her own business tricks. At times she used to scold me but still I didn't bother as I just liked fooling around with her.

During the festive times she used to bring a variety of flowers. I used to like the Bangalore roses which she brought during a particular season. They were quite different and came in a lot of lighter shades like lavender and faded pink. They carried in them a pleasant and rare fragrance which I can still recollect. Nowadays I don't think that particular variety is available anymore and I really miss them.

The groundnut lady, my favourite one, as I was the only one in my house who likes the boiled groundnuts . I used to buy them during the weekends and holidays as she came only on those days.. She used to balance the big basket of groundnuts placed on top of on her head, perfectly. I still remember buying a handful of groundnuts for just one rupee in those times. She used to have the measuring cup but still I always asked for the extra groundnuts which was a kind of habit in me, as it gives , a feel of a good deal or bargain.

The arrival of the groundnut lady can be known not only from her deep voice but also from the way she used to knock the door in a particular manner which made you run to the door before she could break it open.

We meet so many people in our lives but yet the people we meet in our childhood days linger in our minds till the end. In those times life seemed to be so simple and easy, and these simple people really created an impression in our lives. Our understanding of life was just a bundle of good happenings and joyful memories.

A playful life void of responsibilities was a blessing to the heart and soul, which every child has. Everything was taken care of, without we worrying or overthinking about it. Everyone misses their childhood days deep within their heart.