UNO re-born

I still remember the day when the game ‘UNO’ was introduced among our friends’ circle in Bahrain five years ago. We all (like kids) used to get gathered in a big circle to play the game. The only kid among the gang was my friend’s son Atul. He was very enthusiastic and we too shared the same enthusiasm when we played it. To keep my daughters from disturbing us, we used to give some old UNO cards to them so that they bite, chew and throw it everywhere.

The way we played UNO is unforgettable. We used to order Mirinda, Pepsi and dinner and used to have them alongside as we play the game. If we hear somebody call ‘UNO’ (which indicates that he has just one card left; which also means that he is close to victory), we consider it our responsibility to make that guy pick up more cards making him lose just by conspiring among the others. So because of this, one single game gets prolonged to as long as 20 – 30 minutes. And just imagine! We used to play for several hours together.

It has been quite some time since we stopped playing UNO since we discovered several other games. It is almost 10 months since I left Bahrain which means we are hardly getting together and hardly playing any games together. The main reason is that we miss our dear friends back in Bahrain. It is difficult to get such a group of friends again.

As we were shopping few days back, I discovered a pack of UNO cards stacked in one of the shelves. My husband and I were reminded of those days in Bahrain when we all used to play merrily. I just asked him if we can pick it up for which he said that it is no fun if it is played among two people. I said that I can coach our daughters into playing this. So I just picked them up and taught my kids how to play it. They found the game so interesting that they call my husband and me to play this often. The girls who were licking and biting these cards some years back are playing it with great zeal now. I was reminded of Atul who used to play this game with a great spirit. Now my kids are also playing them with the same fervour. I made them understand that it is just a game and that they should not cry when they lose. They have taken that piece of advice in the right spirit and convince each other on their loss telling “It’s just a game.” How I wish to play the same game with our Bahrain friends’ circle once again! This time, with my kids!