We were woken up by the melodious devotional song wafting through the loud speakers of the Kushappilli temple at 0400 hrs. After lowing fluid levels, we hit the sack yet again only to get up at a half past 5 when the alarm had gone off. We went through our chores, Raj Nivas was systematically shut down but all our endeavour to kick off at 0700 hrs fell flat because, by the time we were ready to leave, it was a quarter to 8 and a slight drizzle was on!
Had gone across to Vijayan's house to hand over the house keys for safe keeping and we set off soon after. Omanakkuttan was at hand to remind me about his son's job and saw us off, eventually.
I'd driven straight to the Radisons fuel bunk to top up the Chevy and subsequently, at the Pulamon junction to buy us bananas. Further down, we'd bought vadas to support us as pre-breakfast snacks and had them too, on the roll. It was then that I noticed a lorry that was trying to catch up with our Chevy and it followed our tail till Kazhakootam, where we came across a massive traffic snarl due to the widening activities of the bypass.
By the time we reached Indira kunjamma's house, it was a half past 10 where she was waiting for us anxiously. A quick devouring of the idlis and sambar, a bit of conversation and we decided to take a short nap. Kunjamma was suffering from a severe headache and she had an appointment with the homeo doctor, Rajesh of the neighbourhood, in the evening at 1600 hrs. After a comparatively late lunch, I was off to the Foundation to participate in the ongoing activities connected with the Reading Month. Ramachandran had ferried me in his auto rickshaw.
Maman was away at Kayankulam and he'd returned only after a half past 6. We had a long chat thereafter, and parted ways with Shibu, chauffeuring me back in his auto rickshaw! Both Ramachandran, earlier and Shibu gave me nice insights about life, in general, and their own families! Reached Indira kunjamma's place by a half past 7. India's defeat against New Zealand in the semi finals of the cricket world cup was a dampener, for sure!
Dr. Rajesh has diagnosed my kunjamma with migraine and if it's so, the poor lady is gonna suffer more pain. O God, please don't make her suffer and cure her at the earliest!
Could speak with Kuttu - a merchant marine engineer, currently off Malaysia and who's biding his time to get off the ship - and Kripa-shankar, who has just joined the Vellore Institute of Technology, Madras. The youngster seems to be cheerful though he's living away from his mom and grandmother, for the first time! After dinner had a chat with my cousin, Reshmi on many things while Indira kunjamma and Lekha watched television.
Did we do wrong by deciding to spend the day here, I wonder with Indira kunjamma not keeping well and Reshmi, in a spin, consequent to it? We'd planned to spend our time with them to reduce their angst thanks to Kripa-shankar's shift to Madras and to cheer them up!
Tailpiece.
Munmun Banerjee had called up from Leh for help. The Banerjees and 24 other senior citizens from Pune had fetched up at Ladakh on a sight seeing trip. Could they view the Hermes festival from the Army enclosure? Would I be able to get them special permission?
For us servicemen, it becomes a covenant to help when somebody seeks it. Without much ado, I'd initiated my channels and by evening, found a way out.
Had gone across to Vijayan's house to hand over the house keys for safe keeping and we set off soon after. Omanakkuttan was at hand to remind me about his son's job and saw us off, eventually.
I'd driven straight to the Radisons fuel bunk to top up the Chevy and subsequently, at the Pulamon junction to buy us bananas. Further down, we'd bought vadas to support us as pre-breakfast snacks and had them too, on the roll. It was then that I noticed a lorry that was trying to catch up with our Chevy and it followed our tail till Kazhakootam, where we came across a massive traffic snarl due to the widening activities of the bypass.
By the time we reached Indira kunjamma's house, it was a half past 10 where she was waiting for us anxiously. A quick devouring of the idlis and sambar, a bit of conversation and we decided to take a short nap. Kunjamma was suffering from a severe headache and she had an appointment with the homeo doctor, Rajesh of the neighbourhood, in the evening at 1600 hrs. After a comparatively late lunch, I was off to the Foundation to participate in the ongoing activities connected with the Reading Month. Ramachandran had ferried me in his auto rickshaw.
Maman was away at Kayankulam and he'd returned only after a half past 6. We had a long chat thereafter, and parted ways with Shibu, chauffeuring me back in his auto rickshaw! Both Ramachandran, earlier and Shibu gave me nice insights about life, in general, and their own families! Reached Indira kunjamma's place by a half past 7. India's defeat against New Zealand in the semi finals of the cricket world cup was a dampener, for sure!
Dr. Rajesh has diagnosed my kunjamma with migraine and if it's so, the poor lady is gonna suffer more pain. O God, please don't make her suffer and cure her at the earliest!
Could speak with Kuttu - a merchant marine engineer, currently off Malaysia and who's biding his time to get off the ship - and Kripa-shankar, who has just joined the Vellore Institute of Technology, Madras. The youngster seems to be cheerful though he's living away from his mom and grandmother, for the first time! After dinner had a chat with my cousin, Reshmi on many things while Indira kunjamma and Lekha watched television.
Did we do wrong by deciding to spend the day here, I wonder with Indira kunjamma not keeping well and Reshmi, in a spin, consequent to it? We'd planned to spend our time with them to reduce their angst thanks to Kripa-shankar's shift to Madras and to cheer them up!
Tailpiece.
Munmun Banerjee had called up from Leh for help. The Banerjees and 24 other senior citizens from Pune had fetched up at Ladakh on a sight seeing trip. Could they view the Hermes festival from the Army enclosure? Would I be able to get them special permission?
For us servicemen, it becomes a covenant to help when somebody seeks it. Without much ado, I'd initiated my channels and by evening, found a way out.
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