I've grown up....

Remember Junior Moments? Well then, this post might look somewhat contradicting to it, in first flash. But it’s not, credulously, to say the least. See, it’s always rewarding to have a collage of colours surround you. A plume endowed with a symphony of shades is picturesque indeed. A rainbow is no less than bliss to gaze at. The scene gets even more soothing if we add a human life to it; if a few feelings are fused with these colours. Or the other way round; colours are combined with the feelings. The result is enchanting, either case. Following on a similar basis, I don’t think anyone would now mind me behaving childishly one moment, and grandfatherly, the other. Thus, the following few-line anecdotes present to you, that bigger-me. But before highlighting them, just to tow in some more textures, and throw in some more tinctures, I would identify two aspects that make me feel I’ve grown up: the extremely evident and the slightly subtle.

The extremely evident

• Beginning with most easily noticeable; the age old albums---memories-gilded and reminisces-bound--- depicting a little-me---taking my first step, holding mom’s hand; peddling my tricycle with dad following me closely; fighting with the elder brother for the last piece of his birthday cake; performing at our school’s annual day (if, by any chance, standing in the last row on stage, dressed similar to the two rows in front of you, in terms of clothes and expressions, is called a performance), accepting a Secret Seven volume from the principal for standing second in the class--- are nothing but a biological as well as chronological proof that I’ve grown up.
• When I’m not able to fit in my older jeans, it’s a clear indication that I’ve grown up……or maybe that I’ve put on a few kilos. Obviously, I like the former excuse.
• I now have a separate room of my own…..stay up late in the night; not afraid of the dark solitude anymore (well almost)…..I’ve grown up.
• Two years back, I was issued a voter’s card, thereby, officially and legally giving me a ticket to embark upon the journey to adulthood.

The slightly subtle:

• No more half-ticket travels now; a full ticket is what I have to pay for, each of these days….Okay, maybe I’m expecting a bit too much here.
• After the completion of my first year at college, I, in fact, we all, had to submit their anti-ragging affidavits, so as to make the way secure for the new admissions. This event reminded me of my growing age.
• Juniors at college and some strangers outside---the punctual postman and the speedy courier, awaiting my signatures; the untimely salesperson trying to sell off his wares---call me ‘sir’. This certainly gives me a senior-feeling.
• And when there’s a partition at our cultural and tech fests, separating the boys from the girls, the ‘I’ve grown up’ reason surely helps to pacify a kind-of-non-conservative-me.
• When dad’s not home, I’ve to drop mom at workplace. She sits behind me, and the moment she places her hands on my shoulders, I feel good.....and grown up.
• Not all are positives though. At times, a lot of fuss is created when mom asks me to go to a Ladies Sangeet with her. I really get angry at this idea, just because, “Mom, for God’s sake, I’m a man!”
• “Are the sleeves folded up?” “Are the jeans torn at the knees?” “Are they blue?” “Is my cologne virile enough?” “Is my new haircut hip?” “Am I listening to the latest rock band?” “Am I ready for college?” Yeah, I’ve grown up. 
• At the end of the day, when nothing but only music could soothe my frayed nerves, an unintentional intrusion by dad in my room makes me say out, irritatingly, “At least knock the door, papa. I’ve grown up now!”
• After this, there are some non-family signs of the same. Like my every-year- growing disinterest in burning crackers at Diwali, owing to the ever increasing pollution; giving lift to an old pedestrian, or helping him cross the road. 
• At lot many instances, I find myself to be a part of a group of youngsters whose discussions are not just confined to cricket, but span the Copenhagen Summit, Ayodhya verdict, the Wikileaks and lots more. I guess, not a child’s play. And definitely not a ‘time-pass.’
• Just by chance (or while un-cluttering the mess in my room), when I come across a junior-grade scrap book of mine, bearing some early scribblings, I realize the difference between my past and present writings. This difference brings a smile to my lips.   
• Further, my being frequently frisked while I enter a mall, cinema or a sensitive religious place, while a 5-year-old standing next to me goes in, untouched, makes me think(yes think!) that I’ve grown up.
• Lastly, a friend sitting next to me, puffing out smoky circles, notices me getting uncomfortable, only to ask, “Hey, don’t you smoke?”An amazingly blank look on my face makes my soul say out loud, “Oh dear, I’ve grown up!”