Somi and Pankhu carefully walk over some anthills, towards the 95-year old charpai 
(woven cot). Grandma usually covered it with a blanket that resembled the color of the grass beneath. On more than one occasion, she would sit on it, only to find kids hiding underneath. She'd get startled and spill her tea. But would always laugh along. Today, the siblings are in a heated discussion over who has a better hiding spot.
 
"Better than disguising as a tree?" Pankhu asks.

"Grandpa almost gave you a trim the last time"

They have to think quick. Its only 4 hours until they need to outplay their enemy cousins who
have challenged them to a game of hide and seek. Somi looks behind him, to see if Pankhu is keeping up.

He stops. 

Pankhu has transformed into a peacock.

Revisiting my ancestral home in Rajasthan, India, where my grandparents and cousins still reside. I have spent many summers in this house, since I was a child. This year, I observed and followed the family and their surroundings as they engaged in whimsical activities, with all abandon, leaving me in a reminiscent state. 

All images taken from a phone camera.

2020