There are some kids, whom we shower with love and affection, see them grow to young adults, bask in their achievements. Disciplining the kid was not your charter, because you were not a parent, but an aunt or an older cousin. Spoiling and pampering were abundantly done and was mutually enjoyable. When you see that same sapling turning into the tree that once you had dreamed it would grow into - you are so far away - so painfully far away - cut out from its life completely.
All that is left is to look at is what can be seen the public domain of the facebook profile, an occasional photo - a small thumbnail of the facebook profile pic and wonder how the kid would talk now? What are her interests now that she is grown up? Does she still like to sing? Is she still a fan of a Sachin and Saurav? Does she remember me or the good times we had?
When the third and fourth cousins are on her "friend" list - you wonder if she was really yours or were you just dreaming? Did you even touch that baby when she was first brought home from the hospital? Did you carry her and walk around the house singing to her to keep her calm so that her mom could eat? Cried when she uttered her first words? Went to her prize distributions with the same pride as a parent? Did you deck her up in your best saree and could not help but shed a few tears of joy seeing her dressed like a doll?
Relationships are crazy - but why do we complicate life so much? Is there no place for genuine love and affection anymore?
