This happened when Inder Parimoo was transferred to Pune and the family shifted with him. Babli got a job as Vice-Principal in Army Public School. Those were the days when she would ride to work on the small but sleek Bajaj Sunny.
One morning while riding to school on her trusted Sunny, she found herself pulling the breaks hard trying to avoid a big Sardarji who had decided to spring on the road at the very moment that she was passing him. Noone got hurt, but it was a narrow escape.
Recovering herself, Babli muttered angrily in Kashmiri, "Shikaslad sikh.....aayoh gadi tal!". To which the hearty Sardar promptly replied in excellent Kashmiri, "Hat mahara, yath tal kus yee??"

(Heh heh...you have to be a kashmiri to get this. It looses something in translation.)

It wasnt funny at the time, but when i look back now, it sure brings a few laughs.
I must have been around 9 years old. The rest of the gang must have been around 6. We used to live in our Narsing Ghar house then. Our backdoor neighbour was Samud, who happened to own a Departmental Store.
One day, my friend from across the street Shailesh comes over and says he has a brilliant plan for which he needs our resources. I call in the Gang and we set up a meeting.
The plan is simple. Samud thinks of Tinnu and me as a straight fellows. We stand in front of Samuds shop and ask for things in the farthest corners of the shop. Taking advantage of his absence, Viku opens the goody jars and scoops out as much as he can carry. Vishu is the collector standing in the corner with a small bag. We walk out smiling and noone knows what happened. Brilliant.
Taken in by the excitement, i gave the nod and the Gang went to work. The plan was executed beautifully. The almost perfect crime with just one flaw. A witness. Muniya, who had become suspicious of our clandestine meetings had tagged along with us and seen the whole operation from start to finish. We were shocked when she approached us for her share of the booty. But me, being fair to my men, refused to give in to her threats. That was probably the biggest mistake i ever made. Next thing i knew, she went and told Rita didi about our doings. What followed at home, i will leave to your imagination. I dare say we never thought about stealing again.
I would like to point out here that Shailesh played no part in the actual execution of the robbery. Wherever he is right now, i am sure he must be at a great managerial post.

It so happened one day that Papa,mum, Ghashaji(B.L.Kaul) and me were driving from Srinagar to Jammu. I must have been around 8. The road from Srinagar to Jammu is one besotted with beautiful little valleys. One such valley is called KUD. Its lush green beauty is very appealing to the naked eye. Thus, Ghashaji, awed by this beautiful land wanted to share his wonder with someone. As luck would have it, he picked me. Now, as is usually the case in long trips, i was fast asleep oblivious to Kud or its existence. Ghashaji shook me lightly and said, "Tuplu, utho...Kud dekho Kud." I got up groggily, looked outside for a second, and went back to sleep. But Ghashaji wouldnt give up. "Tuplu beta, utho.....dekho Kud." Now, a little agitated, i glanced out of the window and went back to my slumber. Ghashaji was clearly confused over my lack of interest. So he nudged me again. "Arre tuplu beta......Kud dekho.....Kud!". Exasperated i replied, "Ghashaji, khud he to dekh raha hun!"

This may be funny for u, but it was horrifying for me. This happened when Bairaj and family came to visit us in Pune. Monu and me would play around all day and then fight at the end of it. It was a lot of fun.

One evening, while we were having dinner, Monu got up with his finished plate and moved towards the kitchen. I got up quickly and went to the bathroom to wash my hands. I then sneaked into the kitchen. The lights were off so u could just about make out the outlines in the dark. But it was lighted enough for me to see Monu kneeling to keep his plate under the basin. His position was so tempting that i couldnt resist. I swung hard and kicked him as hard as i could. As he flew into the utensils, i instinctly felt something wrong. And then it happened. Nancy didi boomed from somewhere under the basin, "TUPLU.....KYA KAR RAHA HAI???". I could have fainted.

Till date i dont know how Nancy didi replaced Monu in the kitchen. But i sure dont go around kicking people in the dark anymore.