It was after several years that Vipin somehow took time out of his hectic life, and carved moments to relive his childhood. The doting father of a sweet 12-year-old girl, Samaira, Vipin was travelling to South India with all his family members - his parents, wife, kid, sister and her family. Sapna, his sister and six years his senior, is a proud mother of two collegiate girls. Vipin’s parents retired long back, but just like their son, have always been oceans of love and affection to their offspring.
Those Were the Days!
As they all boarded their train and got seated comfortably, Vipin reminisced about the bygone childhood days when he, along with his parents and sister, used to go for family picnics. Every summer vacation too, they would visit either some tourist destination or a relative’s place. The lazy summer days would become remarkable when the family (or at times, the extended family) would spend quality time together.
Pastimes for the Close-Knit Families
Mobiles had not yet arrived on the scene, and video games were not readily available. Apart from the routine evening outings and Antakshri Sessions, it was games like chess, rummy, carrom, and ludo that the entire family used to engage in - to enjoy the togetherness. Of these too, it was rummy that appealed to one and all, and as such, ruled the roost. That was the time when relationships came above everything else, and people looked for simple means to revel with their near and dear ones.
What a Diversion!
As Vipin walked down the mesmerising memory lane, he recalled how his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, sister, and cousins would excitedly gather to play rummy. The enticing card-melding game ignited everybody’s interest, and there would be a lot of jovial leg-pulling and merriment when the game was on. There would be speculations regarding who would turn out to be the most ingenious, and ultimately, the winner. The game would proceed at a slow pace as everybody would try to outwit others. Some would also try to peek into others’ cards, while some others would indulge in bluffing to win a losing game. Overall, it was sheer pleasure!
Anytime, Anywhere!
Be it the time spent travelling or at home or a picnic spot, nobody would ever say no to rummy. With a few rules, the game is easy to learn, so that even kids can play it. The family elders grew up playing rummy and simply loved it. The most striking feature of the fascinating mind game is that it brings people of all ages together, breeding bonhomie, trust, love, and respect. Grown-ups would tend to behave as kids, while children would try their level best to act mature and smart.
Live in the Present Moment
All these memories flashed in Vipin’s mind in a few minutes, and before anybody realised what he had been wondering about, he fished out a deck of cards from his pocket and invited everybody to play the mathematical game of cards, i.e., rummy. Faces of his parents, wife, sister, and her husband immediately lit up with the idea. As they explained the game to kids, they too excitedly decided to join and compete against their elders. Before long, everybody was engrossed in rummy, and it was a replay of the past!
An Ecstatic Rummy Journey
Besides other family members, it was Samaira, Aleesha, and Angel, who gleaming with their new-found passion, heartily appreciated Vipin for coming up with an idea that engaged everybody, and involved so much fun. What next? Rounds of rummy entailed throughout the journey, as well as, every day of the trip.
What About You?
It is a competitive world, and its denizens are a bit too preoccupied with fulfilling their aims and aspirations. What gets lost in this mad rat-race, is family time and relationships. Why not plan a family trip before you lose your precious bonds to spiralling ambitions? Spend quality time with your near and dear ones, and make it memorable with Indian Rummy!
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