“Don’t you leave my hand and stay with us,” warned my mum but I paid no attention to it as I and my family passed the security check to enter a family festival.

I was in awe at the throng of people gathered to enjoy the variety of stalls and food items. People were laughing, buying and clicking pictures, while somewhere someone was making a series of announcements, promoting various products and stalls.

While I was mesmerised by this scenario, I was annoyed as my mum and dad stopped at each stall and bought some household stuff. But, none of it was for me. After five minutes of bargaining and negotiating, they moved and stopped at another stall.

Being bored and idle, I looked around and saw that few stalls away there was a toy stall. I got excited by it and asked my mum, “Mum, can we go to that toy stall?”

“Maria, what did I tell you? You stay by my side and do not leave me at any cost. As soon we are done from here we will go there,” scolded my mum and return her attention to the stall where a salesperson was explaining the best features of their product.

I grew impatient and thought, ‘Why don’t I just go there now and they will come once they are free from here.’

I left my mum and moved further while protecting myself from getting crushed by the mob of people. As I got to a toy stall, I busied myself with the toys and forgot about everything. After a few minutes, I realised my parents were not beside me. Confused and tensed, I looked around, but couldn’t find them. Realising, that I may never find them, my heart was filled with fear and I started crying.

Looking at me, all confused and lost, the stall owner made an announcement. After a few minutes of that announcement, my parents come to get me. I was relieved to see them, and so were they.

I learned an important lesson that day that being a kid, I should never leave my parents’ side again in any crowded place.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 4th, 2019