Daily writing prompt

What’s the story behind your nickname?

View all responses

Hello dear friend,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt brought with it a tender wave of nostalgia—“What’s the story behind your nickname?”

It’s an interesting question, simple on the surface but deep with emotional undercurrents.

A nickname is more than just a name. It shows affection and often comes from childhood moments or quirks. For some, like me, it becomes a part of who they are.

Let me take you on a little journey—back to dusty lanes, early morning sun, innocent eyes, and the magic of childhood in a small Indian town.

My Nickname: “Bhola”

Yes, that was me. “Bhola.” A name that, in today’s world, may sound far too innocent for the man I have become.

But in those days, it suited me perfectly. I was a chubby little boy with quiet eyes and a calm demeanor—always curious but rarely loud, always observing but seldom interrupting.

I was just seven years old when “Bhola” was born—not from my family, but from the lips of children who would go on to become my lifelong friends.

It happened when we moved to a new neighborhood in a small town. This wasn’t a bustling city or metro—it was a serene, slow-paced locality where every lane had its own story, every tree its own shade of memory.

On my first morning there, I stepped outside with the intent to play, looking to make friends in this unfamiliar place.

About 8 to 10 boys of my age were already gathered near a small playground. I approached, slightly hesitant but excited.

One of them, a boy named Sohan, asked my name. I paused—perhaps shy or unsure of how to introduce myself—and just as I was about to answer, another boy named Kishore, who later became one of my closest friends, looked at me with a playful grin and said, “He looks so innocent—let’s call him Bhola.”

Everyone laughed, but not in a mocking way. It was as if the name had already found its rightful owner. From that moment onward, I was “Bhola” to them all.

The Day My Mother Met “Bhola”

A few days later, a bunch of those same children came to our house to call me out for play. They knocked on the door, and my mother opened it.

“Yes, what do you need?” she asked them with a curious smile.

“Is Bhola home?” one of them chirped.

My mother looked slightly confused. “Bhola? There’s no Bhola here.”

Just then, hearing their voices, I ran to the door. The moment they saw me, all the children shouted together, “Yeh raha Bhola!” (“Here’s Bhola!”)

My mother laughed heartily, surprised and amused by this new title I had earned in the neighborhood. From that day on, even within my home, the name Bhola gained momentum.

And eventually, it spread beyond friends and family—to neighbors, milkmen, teachers, and even the school bus driver. Everyone in our little town knew me as “Bhola.”

Nicknames Are Time Machines

Nicknames are magical. They carry time within them. Every time someone from my past calls me “Bhola,” I am transported back in time.

I can almost smell the aroma of garam samosas wafting from our kitchen as my mother’s voice echoed, “Aree Bhola, come and take your snacks!”

I can hear the wooden ceiling fan hum in our old drawing room. I can see my father reading the newspaper on the verandah.

These are not just memories—they are living moments preserved in the folds of a name.

The Duality of Identity

As I grew older, life evolved. “Bhola” became less common outside the family. Friends started calling me “Vijay,” and in my professional life, I became “Mr. Verma”—a banker, a man of responsibility, discipline, and deadlines.

Yet, at home, to my mother and close siblings, I remained “Bhola”—the boy with a spark in his eyes and ink on his fingers.

There is a strange and beautiful joy in having two names—one for the world, and one for the soul. Where “Vijay Verma” speaks of achievements, experiences, and external perceptions, “Bhola” tells a quieter story.

A story of who I am when the world isn’t watching. A reflection of my truest self.

After retirement, when life slowed down and I began to embrace my creative pursuits—writing, painting, and dancing—I found myself connecting more and more with the boy I once was. Not just in memory, but in spirit.

“Bhola” was never just a nickname. It was a feeling, a state of mind—joyful, carefree, open-hearted.

A Nickname as an Anchor

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, our childhood nicknames become emotional anchors. When life becomes heavy, when the burdens of adulthood feel overwhelming,

I often remember that chubby, innocent boy who once chased dragonflies near the pond. He didn’t worry about deadlines or ailments. His only mission was to find wonder in the ordinary.

And every time someone unexpectedly calls me “Bhola” today, that little spark reignites. That forgotten freedom returns.

What’s in a Nickname? ….Everything.

You see, names like “Tinku,” “Motu,” “Sweety,” or “Chiku” may sound trivial to outsiders. But to those who carry them, they are full of heart.

Often, a nickname is a story in one word—perhaps born from a childhood mispronunciation, a loving joke, or a funny incident.

In a world where we’re increasingly defined by what we do rather than who we are, nicknames serve as a reminder of our unpolished, original self. They strip away the layers and remind us of the child within.

They are the names we didn’t choose, but somehow, they chose us.

Finally, A Name That Lives On

So, dear friends, the story of “Bhola” may not make headlines, but it lives in my heart with a resonance no official name ever could. It reminds me of days when life was simpler, when friends were made without introductions, and joy came without reason.

If you have a nickname—cherish it. It holds the key to your younger self, your playful spirit, your untouched innocence. Don’t be shy to tell your story. You’ll be surprised how deeply it reconnects you with who you truly are.

And if ever life feels too serious, too complicated—just close your eyes, and answer to that forgotten name. Let it bring a smile. Let it bring you home.

With warmth and affection,
Vijay Verma (a.k.a. Bhola)
 www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2010, featured