LOST IT!

This month has been a bit weird for me, in the sense that things just seem to be getting lost without a trace. And my memory seems to be lost in the mayhem as well!

First it was my Voter’s ID Card. I had applied for a colour-laminated Voter’s ID Card a couple of months back. It arrived last weekend, but the Booth Level Officer (BLO) wanted me to return the old Voter’s ID card. I searched high and low, in my regular documents folder, and all the possible safe places, and literally ransacked the whole house, but no trace of it! Very unlike me, to lose things and not find it!

I went in flashback mode. I remember very clearly taking the Voter’s ID Card out of its safe place about a month back as an ID & address proof to collect a speed-post from the Post Office since it was returned from my old address. Then, for some reason, I didn’t find time to put it back in its place. Instead, it stayed in my handbag.

Then about a month back, when I went to Hyderabad with family on vacation, I remember before leaving home my hubby had told me specifically to leave the Voter’s ID Card behind and take only our Aadhaar cards as ID proof for the travel. From then, it’s a blank. I don’t remember where I might have relocated the Voter’s ID Card. But it seems to have just disappeared! I spent hours and days looking for it, but no luck. And I’ve given up on the search. Today I sent the BLO a letter informing that I’ve misplaced the old Voter’s ID card.

Then came the curious case of the missing Axe oil. My sis had got me a couple of bottles of Axe oil from the Middle East. Of course there were other goodies she’d got us – clothes, chocolates, cheese, nuts, gifts for the kids, OH, and so on. With a hand full of bags, I went home and stashed the different bags in wardrobes, kitchen & crockery shelves, and such places. Don’t remember where I might have kept the axe oil. But can’t find it anywhere. What I did find out was, that it’s lost!

Then yesterday, I discovered that an amount supposed to have received in payment was not recorded. Fact is, I don’t even remember receiving the amount. Lost or spent - no idea, but it seems to have been lost from memory!

Three incidents in one month was enough to drive me crazy, wondering why my memory failed me, and worried if it’s just a hint of what is to come. Some lost items, and one desperate mind trying to find it in the deep recesses of memory...with no luck!

Lost and Found

Long, long ago...when I just started to walk, and maybe when I realized that my legs could actually take me wherever I please...my life played out like a nightmare.

My dad was deputed on the auditing job, so we literally travelled country-wide back then - Dad, mom, my sis, and myself. It was some place in Andhra Pradesh, if I remember right. We didn't know the local language (Telugu). Dad & Mom managed with English and the spatter of Hindi they knew.

It was just a week in this new place. My mom gave me an oil massage and left me for maybe about 5 minutes to get some hot water for the bath. Meanwhile, I ventured out of the bathroom. Reached the gate, opened the lock and wandered about the entrance (Not sure what exactly happened here, because this is a third person account that I am relating here).

Our milk-maid was walking down our lane to deliver milk at our house, when she saw this stranger carrying me and walking in the opposite direction. He didn't look related to us and she'd never seen him in the vicinity before. By instinct, she realized there was something wrong. She immediately approached him and enquired who he was, how he was related to me and where he was headed with me in his arms...He muttered something under his breath, but was visibly shaken. She threatened to report him to the police unless he handed me over to her immediately. He couldn't get himself to say anything, since this must have been something he had least expected. He thought he could get away scotfree. He did eventually. But at least he was frightened enough to put me down and make his escape while he could.

Back at home, my mom was all anxious and wondering where I had vanished. Her eyes were welling with tears and flooding down her cheeks. She didn't know what to do. The Bank Manager came down and consoled her saying they'd do everything they could to help find me. And then, the milk-maid made a grand entry, with me in her arms. She narrated the whole incident.

I was lost and found. It was a miracle indeed. My angel in disguise! I still wonder what would have happened to me if the milk-maid hadn't come there that very moment . He would have probably whisked me away, given me a begging bowl and sent me out in the streets to beg. It's big business I hear. It happens, really! Hundreds of children are, this very moment. It's sad, but it's the truth. Wish we could do something to stop this horrendous crime!