Hello Boys, February 21, 2010

Khyati is over 8 now.

She has a set of ``best girlfriends for life’’ who call on my cell phone to speak to her. They chat with me when I pick her at school or other occasions such as birthday parties.

Khyati in turn talks to their parents. I guess all of this is also to impress the importance they attach to each other and their circle of girlfriends.

Some of her friends sometimes complain to me about a teacher and also ask whether Khyati talks about them as much as they talk about her at home. ``All the time,’’ I tell them, which is the absolute truth.

Khyati is, however, a bully when it comes to boys younger then her and constantly spars with boys her age (mostly classmates), which often extends to physical fights that can get ugly and bruising and sometimes requires the intervention of adults.

The story is a little different with older boys. In the recent past I have had to strike conversations with some, particularly requested by Khyati.

One is a Class 8 football ``star,’’ the local Ronaldo whom the whole school apparently cheered during a high voltage inter-school competition in which he scored two goals; another was the leading protagonist at the school play, who I have now noticed usually has a set of ``older girls’’ hanging around him and giggling all the time at his jokes.

Both are tall, fit and handsome young boys.

Of course, Khyati is too young for them to notice or acknowledge and this is how I come into the picture.

As per the instructions, I have to walk up to the stars, say hello to them, ``shake hands’’ and then point at her and introduce, ``this is my daughter.’’

The boys are polite and good naturedly nod at her, even as she smiles back ``star struck.’’ She then runs to her friends to tell them that the famous ``Mr Hooks’’ said hello to her.

Till date, I have said hello to four ``stars.’’

To the football ``star’’ I said that I read about him in the school magazine and wanted to congratulate him for his feats. To ``Mr Hooks’’ I said that I watched his act in which he was fabulous.

I am now prepared to speak to many more ``stars'' that I am sure I will have to.