Small wonders

I felt the tiny tap again, it was too faint a tap. It is not like a 8220;howdy8221; pat, nor was it like a bird-dropping-on-the-shoulder kinda splat pat. Enough of thought, I turned round to see who would want to start a conversation at midnight. I turned round. Four teeth smiled back, a twinkling set of eyes. A kid, all of a year something, all smiles at me. He was chuckling seeing my tired face. He was fascinated with my phone, and kept going goo-goo-ga-ga over the display. Yes, he did try to eat it too, but his mom with reflexes faster than light, stopped him. She was tired too.

So my maternal instincts were focused on this little bundle of energy who was trying to chomp on my phone. I realised how ambidextrous the kid really was, with the left hand he managed to hold on to my ear, the phone in the other hand 8212; in perfect hand-to-mouth coordination. One of his eyes was on mom8217;s face to see if she was getting angry at his antics, and at the same time, he was throwing 8220;you are so funny8221; glances at me.

Train journeys are always unique. And with little humans showering love, they are special. I want to tell him not to grow up, and remain the same forever, he will be well fed, he can burp, snuggle up to strangers and be the centre of affection anywhere on this planet.

The world revolves round him. Okay, I think my biological clock is ticking too loud out here. My stop arrives and I have to detach myself from this little bundle, wipe my phone, and with a two-finger handshake with the smallest, softest palm, I get off.

I make my way without cursing anyone as they slept near the door, and the kid watched me leave. I had to behave all grown-up. People are not so bad in trains after all, especially little ones.