46 degrees. Sweltering heat. Summer holidays. And an unquenchable thirst for fun and adventure at the swanky new theme park in the rich recesses of New Delhi. Reason enough for the Kapoor family of obscene opulence and enviable wealth to be the first consumers of pure thrill.

“Where are my shoes?” Demurely built from within, blessed with an athletic body, 9 year old Pia screamed her irate lungs out to her older brothers Surya and Rahul who looked through the sister’s needs as they busied themselves with the typical trappings of boyhood.  “Rahul, I saw you kick my shoes a while back... mom?” The situation was about to blow out of proportion when Pia’s elegant mother, dressed in a floral top and blue denims rushed to her rescue- the battle of the sexes began. Pia reprimanded the boys about Pia’s shoes that were as important as the national budget, beamed on all the TV channels.

“Seema, shhhh.... can I please listen to the news!”, darted Pia’s father , in his white Bermudas and green Tee, holding a cup of orange juice that he gesticulated so vehemently with  that the Persian rug was blessed with a few droplets of the fruity cooler.

“Oh no! My favourite rug! Adi, some heart please...” Back to the great issue of Pia’s shoes. And in the midst of all this mayhem, Surya with his 13 something calm walked in, holding Pia’s shoes in one hand and his Tee in the other. Pia screamed in delight! “ See? Didn’t I tell you mom, bhaiyaas were playing the fool!” Unmoved by Pia’s lack of gratitude and oblivious to their mom’s ‘storm-in-a-teacup’ reaction, Surya announced with an air of finality: “We leave in 10 minutes. I don’t want to miss the turn this time.” As soon as he made the family declaration, 14 year old Rahul- the crown prince walked in, half his head into the cell phone and the other half focussed on getting  the family underway for the great  sojourn to man-built Paradise: the latest theme park with water rides, gondolas, rollercoasters, walkways and a huge dome-like structure called the Snow Park- with a large ski ring and a mini-snow park created to entice(or rather cool off!) the scorched heatizens of Delhi.

“Mom, please tell dad we have to be on time, otherwise I am off with my friends for a ski holiday. And that’s final.!” Seema , the queen bee was left with a sting sharper than a bee but she gulped it all , trying to keep a calm demeanour.

“Yes, we get it... now come on and get your room organised before we leave” .Just the touch of authority to remind the kids who was the parent after all. Rahul rolled his eyes upwards with an "Oh no" kind of a sigh and left the room. Surya followed the pecking order.

“Mom, you think these shoes are ok with these pants?” Pia consulted her fashion-perfect mom for expert advice on colours, style and glamour for an event that was purely etched in adventure. After all, all the photos would be up on Peer book- everyone’s favourite online social media haunt.

“Wait till I beat Ruche to this ski trip. She goes on and on about her holidays..”

“It’s ok, we have our own  so don’t let this affect you...”

A hardly convinced Pia quickly flowed into the next moment – a preparatory one for their trip. Just then Pia’s mom’s phone rang..

“Hello? Indus? Oh what a surprise...you here from London? When? For how long?”Pia busied herself in her ensemble that had to be perfect. After all, she had to silence her friend Indu  and all her travel exploits. A one-upmanship she was not ready to give up.

“Today? No Indu, taking the kids to the latest ski park – it ‘s a big one you know and we are always the first ones to take them places!” Seema squinted at Pia as she said this, more for Pia’s listening pleasure than her friend Indu’s.  Pia swelled with pride for a few moments till the car honking began to ring in loud, loud enough to silence all London-returned guests and also budget-addicted husbands.

Peach coloured pants and a white photo print- T shirt that said ‘I am game for it’, with white  shoes to sport had Pia looking like a doll, but a sporty one. Pia had been winning the inter-school ‘under 10’ swimming tournaments year after year. She had been a water baby from the start. In fact , she was nicknamed ‘nymphet’ at school , for her water glory. And now, she was chosen by the school to go for the Olympic semi-finals that were to be held a month later. Pia was excited as swimming was more than a sport for her- it was her natural way of being. Strange that an 11 year old should actually say ‘This is me.’ At first Seema and Adi took it as her fancy but when she started to manifest her gift on more than one occasion, they were forced to look at it with academic sincerity! Plus it also gave them a chance to walk tall at parties and get-togethers. After all, they had a champion in the family .So cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, grandparents across the world never failed to inquire about the one nymphet who was adding aplomb to the Kapoor family: immediate and extended.

Surya and Rahul of course had their own way of underplaying the star amidst them. Especially when their geekdom was less glorified compared to their sister’s aqua radiance. So they learnt early on to look outside for adulation- in their case, their friends and buddies, online and offline.

“Come on, let’s hurry up and get dad out of the TV lounge...’ Both Pia and mom  rushed out , before the big boys would create a ruckus.

“ Adi, we are late. The boys are anxious...’ Seema gave him a warning look, then instant soothed with ‘ you can always carry your tablet along...’ Adi’s eyes lit up ‘Now that’s a great idea. What would I do without you!’ Pia dragged dad Adi out of the lounge while Seema rushed for her handbag.

The black Audi Q5, gleaming with proud contours and a shimmering attitude was about to assume flight... flight yes, because that was Adi’s interpretation of driving- adrenalin, adrenalin and more adrenalin. After all, he hadn’t spent the lacs for nothing if it couldn’t pump his heart just a bit faster, if it couldn’t add inches to his height just a little more, if couldn’t announce to the world that he had arrived!

Pia quickly reserved her window seat behind while a grumpy Surya sat in the middle and Rahul sat at the other window. Vrroom  and they were off zipping through traffic lights interrupted every now and then with Seema’s words of warning on the one hand and Rahul and Surya’s applause on the other. Adi was their heroic father- the superhero at this moment, having conquered the Delhi streets with superior German technology. Seema meanwhile offered a small prayer in her heart for the safety of all concerned, reading the  Hanuman Chalisa (prayer) over and over again.

Urban Delhi with its presidential roads, iconic structures, embassy flags, India gate , flashed in fast forward, zipping  through minarets, masjids and temples, lined with thick , age-old trees, as if grandparenting Delhi. Of course none of them bothered to admire the heritage of the country’s capital. Technology had invaded human civilization and they were hardly insulated from it. Pia was busy on her cell phone, trying to set and reset ringtones and alerts. How humans were consumed by them! Surya was busy with his video game and Rahul tried to play with his camera phone, as if he was a pro. Seema couldn’t be left far behind... she continued to whisper the hanuman chalisa from a little prayer book and check her smses at the same time. Wonder what Lord Hanuman were to say to such undivided attention! Adi relished his spin, soaring with pride every time Rahul applauded : “Wow, dad , that was awesome. .. why don’t you participate in the car rally next time...’

“Yes, that’s all we need !” lamented Seema, like a true exasperated wife , upset with the devious ways of the husband. At least on the road. But all was well as long as they were on their way to a fun destination... after all the end was something worth looking forward to. Even in the scorching heat. Celcius outside competed with the Celsius inside and German technology won the battle of the Celsius. The Kapoors moved on the melting road in cool comfort, savouring the luxuries of the rich.

“ Look, dad! There it is!”... screamed Surya as he threw his body forward , trying to glimpse the arched structure ahead that had penguins as their logo. Rahul’s eyes dilated too as Pia was bitten by curiosity too. Adi slowed down as if instructed by Seema’s very own Hanuman. Thank God for that, heaved Seema.

There it was! Slowly the words became visible – SNOW PARK, written in snow-formed letters. The signages were creative- they all had the penguin showing the direction to heated travellers. It was as if they were saying “Cool off!” It was penguins all the way. They were the park’s lucky mascot, setting the mood for the visitors. Ambience was everything after all. This was experiential marketing at its best.

“This is going to be a memorable trip, kiddos!”

“Oh I love that giant-size penguin!”

“ I love it already...”

“Can we get off here dad?” Rahul was in a rush, as if he had already fixed a date with the penguin.

“Hold on , guys, relax.. the snow will not melt till we get there...!” The junior Kapoors sighed patiently, willing to give dad the wise man’s crown. For a change. Adi slowly manoeuvred the car to the parking spot, that was luckily vacant- given the mass exodus of Delhiites thronging the park. The entire stretch from the entrance to the parking was dotted with 25 something young sales personnel, dressed in black and white- girls in black skirts and white tops and males with white shirt and black jeans... sporting the penguin logo. It carried a little slogan “Say freeze!”

“ The engine off, the junior Kapoors leapt out of the car, eager to be the first to ‘say freeze’. The queue was overwhelming. Seema wore a hat to shield herself from the heat – all this for minus zero temperature inside. Paradox of the moment. Endure the heat for the cold. But it was worth it. After all, if the Kapoors could bear the tag of ‘first to visit Snow park’, nothing like it. The sound of their achievement would crown every party. Adi and Seema pushed the kids ahead while they all stood patiently to be granted entry... all the while scrutinizing the crowd that had forgotten the rest of Delhi and chosen cooler climes. Women wearing designer hats, young girls sporting funky umbrellas in a riot of summer colours somewhat soothed the eyes for the fashion victims and victors. Pia suddenly waved out enthusiastically to a young guy, just about her age, waiting in the queue far ahead. Pia’s mom, Seema looked at her questioningly till Pia replied as a matter-of-fact. “Peerbook friend!’

“What’s that supposed to mean? Where does he live, study etc? Name ?”

Pia rolled her eyes ‘Whatever!”

Seema looked angrily at Adi, expecting him to reform Pia at that very moment but instead Adi wound his arm around Pia, trying to push her towards the shade. Seema looked away in disgust. Adi didn’t think it necessary to explain either. The Kapoors looked ahead instead, all eyes set on their great entry. One thing kept them entertained and fulfilled at the same time- to watch a happy lot exiting the park. The look of bliss was very encouraging. At least it made Adi forget the budget for a while.

“We should have left early. This Pia and her shoes!” The blame game had begun as there was nothing better to do. Ogling at satisfied visitors made it worse beyond a point, reminding them of what they were missing!. Before the heat would douse their spirits, Adi jumped out of the queue and walked towards the refreshments kiosk. He was back in a giffy with enough to cool the family. Cornettoes and cups of ice-cream did what conversation failed to do. The sweet melting moments brought the family together – in cool harmony. No more allegations, no more calling names. Chom.Slurp. Chom. Panacea was that close at hand.

The queue had moved far ahead, much to the delight of the Kapoors who were just inches away from entering the freeze zone. Surya and Rahul were kind enough to ensure that Pia get in first. Despite their bickering, there was a deep care and protection for their sister and it was visible. Adi and Seema preened at those little gestures that reminded them they had done something right in parenting the kids with sound values. Sibling upbringing- the most challenging and yet the most fulfilling- the microcosm of behavioural science that laid the foundation for human s   haring, compassion and other values.

Speaking of compassion, when it came to being the first to experience urban luxuries and entertainment , there was only one path- ‘me first’. Of course urban civilization had introduced concepts like queues etc but given a chance to be their real selves, the urban ‘educated’ would have thronged the gates with all their might and power. It was a pure case of survival of the fittest.