During the summer holidays in my childhood, I used to spend my vacations at my village home.

With tok-dal, fried fish, and the deliciously spicy fish curry made from freshly caught fish from the pond, we would enjoy our afternoons by the mango orchard. This time, Madhur and Balish were with us. We would sit under the shade of the trees and weave garlands for Madhur. In the gentle breeze, we would feel drowsy and ready to doze off.

As the afternoon wore on, we would all gather at the playground for some recreational activities. Starting with bat, ball, and stamps, we would transition into our cricket matches. Oh, what games they were! Engaging in those thrilling matches, as dusk approached, we would quickly leave the field and head back home.

Then came the time for a hearty meal consisting of a big knife, stuffed betel leaves, freshly picked green mangoes, a towel, and a winnowing fan. We would head towards the majestic pond by the Shan garden. After reaching the banks of the pond, we would sit under the pub tree in our farmland. Each plot of land, one after another, was cultivated with watermelons, pumpkins, cucumbers, sesame, and lentils. We would go to the fields of watermelons and pumpkins. After tasting the sweetness, we would gorge ourselves on watermelons or pumpkins, then return to the pond's edge.

Now, sitting by the pond with our hands, feet, and faces washed, we would engage in idle chatter. Along with that, we would have raw mangoes with salt and chili powder, enjoying the tangy taste. Around seven in the evening, after spending time in this manner, we would return home and settle down to read a book for a while. Dinner was usually around eight in the evening. At night, we would enjoy dishes like fried fish, bitter gourd, and lentils. While the variety of dishes may have been limited, we had to eat a bit more. After all, who can resist indulging a little more in delicious dishes like these?

After eating, we would spend some time reading storybooks. As the night progressed, slowly slipping into slumber, we would drift off to sleep without even realizing it.

That's how our childhood days would unfold during the hot summer days.