Aarthi

Aarthi understands infinity. She has immense patience, unbounded affection and a blissfully calm face. A great conversationalist, who can stun you with her questions and answers. She knows all about Harry Potter. She can churn out names of almost all characters in the book. She says she at times walks to school since she enjoys walking. When asked about music, she says she only knows 'S R G M' but goes ahead and sings the entire song 'Vara Veena'. She is eager to learn and is the most earnest listener. Oh, Aarthi by the way is a 5 year old Thinker!

It all started when... 'Aarthi I am talking to Rashmy aunty. So could you please wait until we are done?' 'No, no she is not Rashmy aunty. She is Akka'.

Later, I venture out to talk to her. She was now sitting with Siddu engrossed in deep converstaion. Siddhu introduces both of us and we continue the conversation. She started talking about her school. Siddhu asks her about her best friends and is eagerly waiting to count him in.

Aarthi quotes 2 names.
Siddu says - That's it?
'Yeah one more - Simran.'
Now Siddhu gives vent and explicitly questions - 'What about me?'
'Oh but you are not in my school.'
'So how does that matter?'
'Umm..(I see her avoiding to talk about the age difference)..ok.. but but you are old'
'So what? Tell me, what do you think is my age?'
'Umm... 100'
'You think I am **100**?'
'Umm... maybe infinity. Ok somewhere between 100 and infinity.'
I was stunned and asked her- 'So you understand infinity? I have no idea of infinity. Could you please explain'.
She stops eating, prepares herself for the task and says - 'You see it is a very big number. It is huge. Thisssssssssss huge. Actually bigger than that.'

Thus began my friendship with Aarthi.

For the rest of the evening she sits by me and talks about her friends and books. I see her being happy and follows me everywhere. I was deeply touched and the happiness was so immense that I had tears in my eyes. Since I am a character too who passionately ends up talking about books, it was a strange experience to find a wonderful person who shared the same thoughts.

When we are ready to part I see her suddenly feel very sad. She decides she wants to come home with me. Sadly it's late into the night and her mother does not give into her patient pleading. Aarthi decided to take my phone number and computer address (read as email) and gave me her contact number. She informs me that she would call me the next day and she wants to know what happens if 'You don't there'. Her mother interepts it and convinces her that she could leave a message, if Rashmy cannot answer the call. Aarthi explains the same to me patiently - 'If you don't be there, I leave a message ok... Do call me.'

So we parted promising to meet again.

Life feels stunningly wonderful after meeting Aarthi. I feel this rush to see her again and be with her. She came into my life out of nowhere and made it even more enriching. Aarthi is now my youngest friend.