“I grew up at your place,” says Dolly

On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, let me introduce a brother’s little sister. We met Ronak Bhatia last Saturday. Today, let’s meet his sister Ritu Bhatia aka Dolly. I have reams and reams of stories about this little girl – all good memories.

I had mentioned the elephant incident in my interview with Ronak. Let me continue it now. After being pampered by Mom, Ronak went back home and told everybody that we had returned from our native place. We had come out on our balcony waiting for the grocery store guy to deliver some stuff. Dolly came out of her home and asked Mom about the elephant.

Mom replied, “The baby elephant is with its mother and will come to us when it grows up.”

Satisfied with the reply, Dolly came to our home. Mom’s reply was enough for the child. She never asked about the elephant again! One hug and a slip later, she was on Mom’s lap. I had made coffee for Mom. Dolly did not let her have her cuppa.

Dolly would call her elder brother Beiyya. I loved it. One day, I asked her to call me Beiyya. She uttered the word. A few seconds later, she asked, “I will call you Dolly, now?” Her brother and she was the entire world for her!

When we got acquainted through Facebook recently, Dolly’s mother Alka called up and we could speak to the kids. I kept teasing the little girl about what mischief she was doing in her childhood. The grownup girl went on giggling, shyly and said, “I grew up at your place.”

Mom wants to dance during Ladies Sangeet and Mehendi at Dolly’s marriage, with me and Alka. Today being Bhai Dooj, let me wish the girl’s father who is like a brother to me as Kanta Aunty (Dolly’s paternal grandmother) would considered me like a daughter. On this auspicious occasion, we present to you a short interview with the little girl, who gave me so many photo ops at a time when I was learning photography.

A few words about you.

I’m Ritu Bhatia, a Master in Marketing from Xavier Institute of Management and Research. I’m a result and solution oriented person, more than personality type A. I love good stationary and Indian classical music.

What was your reaction when your Mom told you that we had connected on Facebook?

What? You found Gayatri Didi on Facebook? HOW? How are they? Where are they?

What did you feel on speaking to your Mummy Aunty after 17 years?

Super excited! I’ve spent so many of my happy childhood days with her. I remembered playing with dolls in her house. I could see the old house in front of my eyes and old known faces.

After the call was cut, what was your reaction?

Surprised! And extremely happy! I was asking my Mom again – how did she get in touch after all these years!

Additionally, would you like to say anything else now?

Happy to know that she is safe and sound. Can’t wait to meet her soon!