T hough in today’s world, a person hardly has any time to meet his neighbours or even get to see who they are, things have not changed so drastically that one can remain totally oblivious of one’s “friendly” or “unfriendly” neighbours.
In the metro cities, things have surely changed to the extent that most people do not even know who their neighbours are. But in places like my city, which is still trying to grow up from the small sleepy town it once was, we still know our neighbours fairly well and are visited by them, though sometimes against our will.
It is, in fact, a good thing as neighbours are often called “our first relatives”. In times of need, our family members may be far away but neighbours will have to be in the place they are — right next door! People who live alone know the value of the support that neighbours can provide.
Good neighbours are better than any friend or relative can be. They are near us and can be called over in a jiffy when there is a crisis. But all neighbours are not good. Some are full of envy at all you do or have. Some are secretive and try to find out all about you without revealing the smallest thing about themselves.
Some are snobbish and take pride in the fact that they do not mingle with neighbours. They are yet others who like to keep an eye on your house to see who visited you or when you left for work and came back. Whatever the kind of neighbours, one cannot escape them completely. Sometimes, they seem to know more about us than we ourselves do!
I have a neighbour who has many positive and negative qualities in her personality. She mothers me and at the same time, I can feel some waves of envy coming to me at times (for small things as a new shawl, an electronic appliance or a visit to a restaurant).But I really do not mind this as the love and care she showers on me make up for all the little moments of envy! In many lonely moments, she is the first one I turn to and am thankful that such neighbours still exist.
There’s an old man who lives near my house who likes to read other peoples’ newspapers after he has read his own. So one can see him sitting in everyone’s front verandahs, sipping tea if the hosts offer, till around 10 am glancing through the various English and Hindi dailies which come to the neighbourhood. He does not realise that most of the people do not welcome him at that hour but are too polite to say anything negative.
They overlook his idiosyncrasies and treat him more like a child who must be kept happy. Once he picked up my Sunday papers from the gate and took them home to read. An hour after I had a mini battle with my akhbarwallah, the oldie came smiling and returned my papers.
I had no words to express my feelings. Another lady who loves to visit me at the time of my evening cup of tea is quite interesting. She is extremely fond of tea as I am. When I first offer her a cup, she refuses and says she has just had a glassful. So I let her have some cookies while I sip my tea. When I go for the second cup, I ask her and she always agrees to have a cup then. It is like a ritual. She will first refuse and then have a cup. I know she will do that and she knows that I know. I find it rather sweet. Though the trend of great familiarity and closeness with neighbours can be found no more, there is still a kind of acquaintance which has a certain fondness that can brighten up a dull day or lift one’s sinking spirits.
I would like to say here that today one of my closest friends was once my neighbour. From a formal relationship grew a deep friendship which keeps her close to my heart even though she is no longer my neighbour.It makes me glad that in my city, people still know who their neighbours are. Otherwise, I may not have found the dear friend from among my neighbours. Thank God for friendly neighbourhoods! One should value them more.