My Boyhood Pedestrian Friends                                                                                                      Part IV

Pandi was popular with children having been a candy man for 40 years. Even the grownups on street knew him from the time they were kids. His stick had a huge blob of elastic candy with the colors of a rainbow. He'd use his dexterous hands to make a snake, a watch, a butterfly or whatever we wanted. We'd be in awe of all his creations, just for one fourth of an Anna. He'd tell funny stories about our parents making us laugh.

"Bharat, you'd make a great leader someday," Pandi said privately. My jaw dropped.

"Please don't tease me!"

"I'm not teasing. You are popular with the girls. They are always asking you to suggest the designs for them. Girls typically don't trust boys. "He chuckled.

"Please don't say this to the boys on Kamal Street. I don't need any grief from them."

"Actually, those boys like having you on their team. You are a left-handed batsman, right?" I had to admit he knew a thing or two.

"Yes, I am. Although my grandmother forces me to use my right hand."

"A left-hander is a rare find. You are not afraid to hit, they say. And you are a good fielder, too."

"Are you trying to con me like Kasi?" I had a low self-esteem to begin with and didn't want him giving me false hopes.
"Don't ever say Kasi cons people. He is 75 years old. He lost his leg during the war fighting for the British, not for India. And he turned my whole life around."

"Really?"That was news to me. My grandmother was already yelling for me but I had to wait for his answer.

"Yes, I was betrothed to a girl whose family had a big farm. But my heart was not into fieldwork. I missed selling candy, seeing the smiley faces of children. I went to Kasi. He had his parrot pick out a card for me. He divined that my life was destined to make children happy. He was absolutely right. I'm poor but I enjoy my life, thanks to him."
 

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