Childhood memories: My Friend Sridhar.

I would like to share some of my child hood memories.  I will start my experience with one of my childhood friend named ‘Sridhar’. 

The incident which I am going to narrate happened when I was studying in 6th class (1982). During those days I was residing in Hyderabad, India and ours is a lower middle class family. We used to stay in Kaladera colony near Malakpet, Hyderabad. This colony is a Government quarters and pretty middle class people used to reside. There’s nothing much to boast about its exquisite except our colony mates.  

In those days it was rare to have pocket money for the children. In fact there was no such concept available and even though it is there we were not aware of it. Our greatest achievement in spending the money is to spend the 5NPs, 10 Nps and rarely 25 Nps.( NP = Naya paise which is no more exist now). With that meager amount our bliss used to confine to buying few peppermints and chocolates. The elderly boys in the colony and high privileged boys used to carry 50 NP or maximum of 1 rupee. They were the proud guys in the colony and as juniors we were envious about their money spending. For us most of the entertainment was through playing marbles, cricket and other local format games. So naturally we were not exposed to the money made luxuries.

At this juncture one boy named Sridhar who is one year elder to me, used to carry lot of money with him. Some time he used to flash bundle of new 1 rupee notes to all of us. Our jaws used to drop seeing that much money. Even the elder boys used to give him special treatment so that they can enjoy few free food items which he would buy for the friends. I was envious and also regret why I am deprived of money.

My friends used to tell me how Sridhar has purchased some food items and drinks from the local stall and offered to them. I used to curse myself that why I was not present during such occasions. But there was no delay in my luck. One day during the summer holidays I and Sridhar met in the play ground. It was around 5 PM in the evening, Sridhar came to me and offered to go to a hotel and have some food items. I was delighted with the offer but asked him suspecting -

                “I don't have any money to pay in the hotel, how about you?"

                “Don’t worry I have money and I will pay for you also" replied Sridhar flashing his new 1 rupee bundle to me.

With a watering mouth I followed him like a food starving dog. At that time there's only one hotel in the Nalgonda 'X' roads. This is now replaced by a petrol bunk. Sridhar ordered two plates of 'Aloo bajji' (potato based puff) and the waiter brought them for us. I was thoroughly enjoying the Aloo bajji as this is the first time I am having my food outside my home. We were about to finish the dish and at that time Sridhar proposed to me -

                "How about running away without paying the food bill?"

Hearing this, I was little bit shocked and after recovering, I replied “what’s the need for skipping the bill when you have money. Let’s pay ?" For this he reluctantly agreed. 

After finishing the food, Sridhar went towards the wash basin and washed his hands. I too followed him and washed my hands. Suddenly I observed that Sridhar ran away from a small outdoor which is nearby wash basin. I was horrified  and I don't have any option but to follow him. The waiter who was observing us shouted and started chasing us.

I ran fast and crossed Sridhar. Without looking back I ran upto Konark theatre from Nalgonda. Even today I wonder how I was able to run so much distance. I think the distance will be around 4-5 kms. After reaching Konark theatre I felt that now I am safe and with a weak heart I looked back. Thank God! No one was following me and I confirmed that I am safe. I didn't see Sridhar and the waiter also. Slowly I returned back but cautiously avoided the hotel route and reached to my colony through a different route. Throughout this episode I was puzzled why Sridhar wants to skip the bill when he has money.

I came to house, relaxed and narrated the whole episode to my elder brother. He laughed and said that there's an extension to my story. I curiously asked him what it is. My brother told - “my friend [who knows me and Sridhar] was near the hotel when this episode happened to you. The waiter chased and caught Sridhar and brought him back to the hotel. At the hotel all the staff members foul mouthed on Sridhar and finally he paid the bill and left the hotel." I was relieved hearing this and laughed heartily.

After this episode, all the colony mates know about Sridhar's infamous incident and they started avoiding him. Thereafter he wasn't so popular in the colony.