Maheshwari peramma, all of 93 yrs and my aunt had arrived from Bangalore yesterday. She was putting up at her son, Radhan chettan's place. She and her second daughter-in-law, Valsala chechi were to go by the early morning train to Kottayam today to meet up with her youngest sister, Sarala Kunjamma who was not keeping well and had been hospitalised recently.
However, the plan had to be abandoned because Radhan chettan didn't want them to go. He said a few things which had ominous tones that scared his wife as well as the two ladies:-
(a) This time it would be him who would decide on their departure.
(b) He'd called up his second son, the policeman, to come to Guruvayur as he'd certain work with
him for which his presence was a must.
(c) He kept telling that 'somebody' was waiting nearby to get him.
Our visit to look up peramma was due but I couldn't get out of the house in the morning as Vishnu, from my Kollam office, was coming in with a few papers that required my urgent attention. He, finally, fetched up at 12 and by the time I'd finished with the stuff, it was past lunch time.
I was at Radhan chettan's house by a half past 5 and found that he was in bad shape. He'd not had anything since morning because anything that was given orally was refused by an irritant throat followed by persistent cough and he wasn't responding when we called out to him.
I, then, contacted Jimmy, my medical specialist friend who'd looked after mom towards her final days. Though he was ready to make a house call and look up Radhan chettan, after hearing about his condition from me, he'd no doubt that the patient had to be shifted to a hospital without delay as he was under acute trauma because of the condition of his kidneys. He arranged for an ambulance from the nearby Rajah Hospital and Arif had come charging with the vehicle. The staff at the Rajah Hospital had reacted swiftly because their 'Colonel saar' needed assistance (On a lighter vein, I don't think I would have got a change of service, so fast, during my training time at the NDA).
We rushed Radhan chettan to the hospital without ado and after going through the initial admission procedures and formalities, he was wheeled into the ICU. Immediately on arrival, it was found that he was pretty low on Oxygen and therefore, buttoned on to an Oxygen tank. He'd got better and was very annoyed that he'd been brought into the hospital and told me, "You're responsible for getting me here. I don't require any treatment and I was fine at home!" I just shushed him and said, "Get well soon so that we can make it for the Neelamperoor temple's annual festivities this year".
He had nothing to say to that and I saw a smile on his face as they wheeled him into the ICU from the chaotic Casualty station........ by then, it was indeed quite late into the evening!
Tailpiece.
A nice message was passed on by a good friend on the What'sApp circuit. I found it so apt, at least, in my case and so, here I shall reproduce it.
How can you recognise a Military Veteran?
* He is smartly dressed with shining shoes.
* He will try to walk like a young fellow, though old by numbers.
* He is young at heart and always romantic.
* He will have a lot of stories to tell.
* He has lot of knowledge to impart.
* He has deep knowledge about liqueur, whiskey and beer.
* He is a very poor listener.
* He tries to lead by example and cares for his nation.
* He comes to rapt attention when you play the national anthem.
* He dislikes people who don't drink.
* He is trustworthy hence has only a few girlfriends.
* He gives a firm handshake.
* He is conspicuous by being respectful to ladies.
* He dislikes to be late.
* He speaks time in four digits.
And those who are jealous of him say, "He's scared of his wife".
However, the plan had to be abandoned because Radhan chettan didn't want them to go. He said a few things which had ominous tones that scared his wife as well as the two ladies:-
(a) This time it would be him who would decide on their departure.
(b) He'd called up his second son, the policeman, to come to Guruvayur as he'd certain work with
him for which his presence was a must.
(c) He kept telling that 'somebody' was waiting nearby to get him.
Our visit to look up peramma was due but I couldn't get out of the house in the morning as Vishnu, from my Kollam office, was coming in with a few papers that required my urgent attention. He, finally, fetched up at 12 and by the time I'd finished with the stuff, it was past lunch time.
I was at Radhan chettan's house by a half past 5 and found that he was in bad shape. He'd not had anything since morning because anything that was given orally was refused by an irritant throat followed by persistent cough and he wasn't responding when we called out to him.
I, then, contacted Jimmy, my medical specialist friend who'd looked after mom towards her final days. Though he was ready to make a house call and look up Radhan chettan, after hearing about his condition from me, he'd no doubt that the patient had to be shifted to a hospital without delay as he was under acute trauma because of the condition of his kidneys. He arranged for an ambulance from the nearby Rajah Hospital and Arif had come charging with the vehicle. The staff at the Rajah Hospital had reacted swiftly because their 'Colonel saar' needed assistance (On a lighter vein, I don't think I would have got a change of service, so fast, during my training time at the NDA).
We rushed Radhan chettan to the hospital without ado and after going through the initial admission procedures and formalities, he was wheeled into the ICU. Immediately on arrival, it was found that he was pretty low on Oxygen and therefore, buttoned on to an Oxygen tank. He'd got better and was very annoyed that he'd been brought into the hospital and told me, "You're responsible for getting me here. I don't require any treatment and I was fine at home!" I just shushed him and said, "Get well soon so that we can make it for the Neelamperoor temple's annual festivities this year".
He had nothing to say to that and I saw a smile on his face as they wheeled him into the ICU from the chaotic Casualty station........ by then, it was indeed quite late into the evening!
Tailpiece.
A nice message was passed on by a good friend on the What'sApp circuit. I found it so apt, at least, in my case and so, here I shall reproduce it.
How can you recognise a Military Veteran?
* He is smartly dressed with shining shoes.
* He will try to walk like a young fellow, though old by numbers.
* He is young at heart and always romantic.
* He will have a lot of stories to tell.
* He has lot of knowledge to impart.
* He has deep knowledge about liqueur, whiskey and beer.
* He is a very poor listener.
* He tries to lead by example and cares for his nation.
* He comes to rapt attention when you play the national anthem.
* He dislikes people who don't drink.
* He is trustworthy hence has only a few girlfriends.
* He gives a firm handshake.
* He is conspicuous by being respectful to ladies.
* He dislikes to be late.
* He speaks time in four digits.
And those who are jealous of him say, "He's scared of his wife".
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