A very old memory.

I must have been around 4yrs old.

I had just recovered from a fever and my parents took me out to Brigade Rd. I don’t know how I can be so sure its Brigade Rd but I just know.

We were walking down the road slowly, looking into the brightly-lit store windows as we walked. One of the shop windows had a lot of toys on display and I struggled in my father’s arms. My father stopped and let me down. There were all kinds of flashily coloured toys on display but I had eyes only for one doll. She was beautiful with golden hair, blue unblinking eyes and long black eye-lashes painted on. She had on a dress made of red silky material.

I stared hard at the doll and then looked up at my father. He was watching me.

“Do you want the ball or the doll???”

I hadn't noticed the ball. I looked up to check out it out; it was a big red-white-blue-yellow coloured plastic ball. If I hadn't noticed the doll first I would have definitely been interested.

Then I saw the price displayed alongside. The ball was Rs.3 and the doll was Rs.10. I knew immediately my father was hoping I’ll choose the ball. To be honest I can’t imagine how a 4 yr old could have read the prices and understood. Maybe I was 5 yrs old not 4 but if that was the case then my sister would have been there…I remember clearly there were only the 3 of us. Maybe my father told me it was expensive but that bit I don’t recall.

My father asked me again “Do you want the ball or the doll???”

I refused to answer and stared hard into the shop-window blindly. I wanted the doll but couldn't tell him because I knew he wanted me to choose the ball.

“Come, we’ll go get the ball” he decided for me and we walked into the shop. My father was not a sentimental person. He made practical decisions and bought useful things. I was feeling light-headed[after-effects of fever] and was near tears but did not cry, of that I'm very sure.

I don’t remember what transpired in the next 10 minutes. I only remember walking out of the shop clutching to my chest a rectangular pack containing the most beautiful doll in the whole world. My mother smiling at my delight & my father cautioning me to take care of the doll well are the last things I remember.

She was my first and last doll. 

I last saw her 2 yrs back, leaning against the stabiliser on the refrigerator at mum’s place. She is bald now[my sister pulled all the hair out but she flatly denies it;-/]. Her original dress got damaged when I tried to put nail-polish on her tiny fingers and toes and ended up smearing it all over the dress. She now wears a red and white checked outfit which my mum stitched with some left-over material. She even has a tiny cap to cover the bare head.

Recently I asked my mum about her and she said she had no clue. Seems like she packed her into some carton but can’t remember where exactly.

The next time I go home, I'm going to search for her and bring her back with me.

For a while I couldn't recollect her name. 

And then it came to me....her name is Dolly:-)).

Tell me about your first doll/toy???