A Heart-Stopping Moment: The Day Babloo Vanished
I’m recalling an old memory from February or March 1994—dates blur with time, but the story remains vivid. It involves Babloo, the spirited youngest son of Mr. Vorabhai and Roshanbhabhi. At just five years old, he was as mischievous as any five-year-old, always buzzing with energy.
One evening, while working late in my office, Roshanbhabhi burst in around 6:30 PM, her face pale with panic. Vorabhai was away on a field trip, and Babloo had vanished. “Manishbhai, have you seen Babloo?!” she pleaded. He’d been missing for nearly an hour.
She’d searched their housing block, the surrounding quarters, and even Devjibhai and Shivram’s homes—no trace. My stomach dropped. Without hesitation, I suggested checking the highway near Chandubhai’s pan shop and Maraj’s Restaurant, though I doubted a child could wander that far alone.
A brisk 20-30 meter walk from our campus brought me to the highway. I scanned both spots, questioned shopkeepers, and peered into corners. Nothing. Dread tightened its grip.
Rushing back, I updated Roshanbhabhi, whose anxiety had escalated into full-blown terror. Retreating to my office, I suddenly heard faint knocking—not from my room, but farther down the hall. Following the sound, I dashed to Rajeshbhai’s office… and there he was.
Babloo popped out from under Rajeshbhai’s desk cabinet, grinning like he’d pulled off the world’s greatest prank. My heart skipped a beat—relief, exasperation, and laughter collided. What could I say to this little escape artist? Wordlessly, I took his hand and led him back to his mother, whose tears of fear melted into tears of joy.
A mundane evening turned unforgettable, reminding us all of life’s fragile, fleeting moments—and the boundless creativity of a child’s mischief.
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