When life was simple and happiness was free
4
If you grew up in Jalandhar in the 90s, you don’t really need a reminder—you just need one small trigger… and everything comes rushing back.
The smell of dust in the gali.
The sound of a cricket ball hitting a gate.
That one TV in the house everyone depended on.
Life wasn’t “perfect.”
But it felt right.
🏏 Gully Cricket Was Everything
No kits, no proper teams—just whoever showed up.
One bat. Sometimes even that was borrowed.
Wickets? Bricks, slippers, school bags… whatever worked.
And the rules? Completely flexible.
“Last man batting hai.”
“Gate pe catch out nahi hunda!”
Half the time we were arguing, half the time playing—but somehow, those were the best matches we ever had.
📺 TV Time Meant Everyone Together
There was no choice of “what to watch.”
There was only what’s coming on.
If you missed it, you missed it.
Someone standing near the antenna shouting,
“Aaya? Aaya? Thoda left kar!”
And inside, everyone waiting like it’s a live match.
Simple shows, but full attention. No second screen, no distraction.
🚲 Cycles = Freedom
You didn’t need a plan.
Just step out with your cycle and something would happen.
One friend joins, then another…
Next thing you know, you’re three neighborhoods away.
No phones, no tracking—just coming home before it got dark… or before mom started shouting your name from the gate.
🍦 That Ice Cream Bell
Every evening had that one moment.
Tring-tring…
And suddenly, everyone’s outside.
You run in,
“Mummy 2 rupaye de do!”
And then stand there for 2 minutes deciding what to get—like it’s the biggest decision of your life.
🚌 School Van Life
Honestly, school was fine… but the van rides were something else.
Too many kids, too little space.
Fighting for the window seat like it’s reserved seating.
Sharing lunch before even reaching school.
Laughing for no reason.
Sometimes the driver had to shout just to get us to calm down.
🏡 Neighbors = Extended Family
No one locked doors in the evening.
You’d walk into any house like your own.
Aunty would say, “Aa gaya? Roti kha ke jaana.”
Parents didn’t worry because everyone was looking out for everyone.
That kind of trust… you don’t see it much now.
💭 The Small Things Hit Different
A ₹1 candy actually made your day.
A new cricket bat felt like a big upgrade in life.
Even a simple evening walk with family felt complete.
We weren’t chasing anything.
We were just… living.
❤️ Why It Still Stays With Us
It’s not that life was easier.
It’s just that it was less complicated.
Less noise, less comparison.
More time. More people. More real moments.
Those days didn’t try to be special…
but somehow, they became the ones we miss the most.