Memories of a Little Girl Called Dolly! (XV)

Dolly’s birthday was nearing. But Salma’s grandfather’s problem was increasing. We were in jeopardy where to go – for Dolly’s birthday or to the hospital. This is because the doctors in the hospital would speak between each other in English and would not reveal the real situation to the family. Salma, having studied in the vernacular medium, found it difficult for her to understand anything. On top of that her mother was also not very much educated.

We had got the appointment of the main doctor on the evening of Dolly’s birthday. So we planned that we would have a small celebration at our home and give her a gift. Thus we called Dolly to our home in the morning. Dolly’s mother told Ronak that it is the little girl’s birthday so the brother had to hold her hand and take her to Mummy Aunty’s home. Both of them came holding hands. This was a new scene to see. I was out of sight, so I could not photograph that scene.

I got to know when Mom welcomed them and offered pooja to God. I left my books aside and came to the front room. When the time for the gift came, we gave the gift to Dolly. The gift was wrapped in a pink paper. Ronak was holding a victory sign and was singing the Happy Birthday song. Suddenly, Ronak was about to grab the gift. Mom came into the scene and separated the 2. Then she helped Dolly open the wrapper and made both of them hold the doll.

Mom used to keep some change in a small purse, which was Dolly’s favourite purse. It was mummy Aunty’s so, whenever she would come to our home, it would be hers. But she was not allowed to take it to her home by her mother. So she would play with the money, which she called Peche. Mom would always sit near her because you never know kids. They might put it into their mouth. She took her new doll holding her favourite purse and I took her picture that way.

We gave some extra cake and chocolate to Ronak and made him leave Dolly alone. Then Mom played with Dolly a little and went to leave her back to her house with the doll.

More to come…

To be continued…