Banned-aided!

Winkie has this thing about band aids. He hurries to find one to tape on to the littlest boo-boo that has assailed him recently, and once on, he nurses it very gingerly throughout its lifespan. Not the boo-boo, but the band aid. It comes under careful scrutiny every morning when he wakes up; he's extra watchful not to wash it down the drain in his bath, and when just a little of it peels away at the edges, he presses it back on so it stays for a long time. And he never ever ever lets me take it off.

Now, I cannot stand the sight of an overused band aid. It drives me n.u.t.s. There have been days when I have plotted away relentlessly on how to make the separation possible. Do I do it in his sleep? Naaah...too much trauma over overnight disappearances. Do I do it in the shower, and pretend that it was the water's fault? But he's too darn watchful!! Or do I purposely let his pants graze it just a little too roughly, when I dress him? He's attuned to every little sensation and micro-manages the entire procedure. Can't get away with it. Once, it got to a point where a grossly overused band aid was dangling precariously from his leg, and just barely holding on with the very last of its sticky willpower. I couldn't take it anymore. My hands flew to the task in quick reflex and yanked it off in a swift split second. He's never forgiven me for it till date. So you can see how we, (me and Winkie), spend a lot of our thoughts, very diametrically divergent thoughts, whenever he is band-aided. He is the Preserver. I am the Destroyer.

The other day, he came home sporting a band aid from school. Oh oh! My mind went into overdrive, spinning on which tactic I was going to adopt once the 48 hour curfew elapsed. But I needn't have worried this time, for nature took care of it. The very next morning (only 12 hours into the sticking, mercy be to Thy name)...it peeled off on its own, and wonder of wonders...he didn't even notice it. When he pulled up his pants for the customary morning darshan, it was gone. poof!

Amma....came an excited and all keyed up voice.

Yes....?

My band aid is gone.

I freeze.

Its not on my leg, see?

I slowly turn, with bated breath and look. Where 'X' marked the spot, it is now empty. No band aid, no boo-boo. I rejoice and send thankful mutterings above-wards.

That's great kannamma.

And it didn't hurt Amma. *with a look of utter flabbergast*

Oh...that's nice Kanna. Good for you.

It didn't hurt. So band aid is my friend right?

Not that I thought it should be, what with all my scheming to separate them.

Errr....yes, band aid is your friend.

*end of story*

[Sequel to Banned-aided follows shortly...]