Seriously people, I am having a big attack of giggles.  It doesn’t help that people around me think I am bat-shit crazy and scrunch their noses at me as though I stink like cat’s pee.  It began this morning in the car park at office. One of the perks of being senior management is that I get to come to office sedately at 10 am while the lesser mortals have to clock in at 8:30 am.  I noticed that one of my subordinates came in just after I did.  So I beckoned him to read him the riot act kindly ask him if all was well.  The young man looked as though he had not slept well the night before.  Apparently all was not well.  His little girl, about 8 years old had been given a love letter by one of the dashing boys (also 8 years old) at school.  The love letter was discovered in the child’s bag at home-work time and it led to major commotion in the house.

Alright I admit, I was curious to see what kind of literary masterpiece 8 year olds exchange.  So I was sweet, understanding, sympathised with him and even overlooked the late coming and asked him to show the love-letter to me.  At 11 am he came to my room with a outsized envelop, dropped it on my desk as though it was some half eaten bone the dog dragged in, and left.  I opened the envelop and found a folded sheet of note-book paper.  It had no stick figures holding hands, no ILUVUs, no crayoned flowers, just the name SANDIP written some 30 times or so.  Apparently the beau was so hung up on himself (or knew no other word in written language) that he wrote his name out and handed it to the object of his affections calling it a love letter. I found it funny and kind of cute.

I picked up the intercom and rang the agitated father, trying to appeal to his saner, rational side.

ME : The note is kind of sweet, and the boy is just eight. 

HIM : I dont regret bringing it to the Principal’s notice.  Such action should not be encouraged.

ME :  They have no idea what this romance shomance is.  Bacche hain ….

HIM : Madamji, you are lucky.  You have two sons.  My little girl has to be protected.

Hunh!? Freaking out like that won’t be of any help whatsoever.  The girl has to grow up – and hopefully develop better taste than narcissistic little boys like that one.  Made me wonder what I would have done.  Well, I guess I would have done a smear job.  I would have just taken the girl aside and explained to her in a serious voice

That SANDIP of yours ? He doesnt wash his hands after going potty and kisses the back side of the dog.  He doesnt even brush his teeth! You need to get yourself better friends

and left it at that.

Phew!!! Protective Dads are crazy!