At Raj Nivas.

Dateline 29 Dec.

Got up at 5, thanks to Lekha's cellphone's alarm but decided to get back to sleep because it was a bit too early but sleep wouldn't come and therefore, had got up and began the morning chores! However, an unexplainable lethargy had set in and by the time we kicked off on our journey, it was a half past 8. The breakfast of idlis was quickly polished off reducing the number of meal packs to be carried to just the lunch. 

It was one hour past my estimated time of departure.

Had taken the Kodungalloor route and the journey was smooth as the traffic was manageable though at certain stretches, especially, at Paravoor and Vyttila the choke points existed. Lowered water levels at the Oottupura restaurant in Panampilli Nagar. The time was a half past 10! Meanwhile, had called up Satish Bhat's clinic, advanced my appointment from 1500 hours in the afternoon.

It was a nice meeting with him and we had a short chat within the available time. We talked about various things like the problems of the world, the farmers' agitation and the results of the recently conducted local body elections in Kerala! He was very happy that my blood sugar readings were within acceptable levels. The dosage of one medicine was reduced and it will be so, for a fortnight till I go in for another round of blood tests. We were, then, headed for the Bhima Jewellery from where Lekha had got two pairs of ear studs - one each, for Anand's little daughter and Suma's daughter, for her wedding.

Dropped by at my cousin's office and had the fried rice that Lekha had prepared and it was nice to catch up with Chellakkili. After spending about 45 minutes out there, we had set off for Shenoy Care and reached the clinic by about a quarter past 2. It was a longish wait as Lekha took about three hours to meet up with Dr Padmanabha Shenoy. He was quite satisfied with Lekha's lab results and had told her not to worry about the cold that she was having. He'd attributed it to the change in climate! After exchanging new year wishes and pleasantries, she was back at a half past 5.

Meanwhile, I'd parked the Chevy at the Panasonic Godown and befriended the security guy out there, named Shaji. It was just about 20 days since he'd taken over his job for a remuneration of Rs. 18,000/-. His family, consisting of his wife, a teacher at the Anganwadi School and three children were at Ambalathara in Thiruvananthapuram. As we were in conversation, trucks headed for various district showrooms, came by with a remarkable regularity, loaded themselves up with washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners kept moving like clockwork.

As I eased the Chevy onto the highway, the traffic was heavy. We'd piping hot cups of tea from a wayside tea stall, at Aroor, owned by Sasi; the vadas were really heavenly. Soon it was darkness and my biggest bane of driving through the night had begun, especially, with vehicles screeching past with their headlights on high beam - very irritating, that rendered me blind on certain occasions! 

The drive through Alappuzha, Kayankulam and Kottarakkara was otherwise, comfortable and we, finally, fetched up at Raj Nivas, at a half past 9. Sanil, Mini, Mithun and Ammu were there, all set to kick off for Bangalore, early morning tomorrow at 5. We'd a quick bite of the lovely dinner that Mini had made and then, it was chat time to catch up with each other's tidings from where we'd left last.

As we hit the sack, I saw the clock chiming a half past 12! Phew, it was a long day but very satisfying.

Tailpiece.

Raj Nivas was active after a long while with conversations, laughter and pleasantness. Will 'meet' my parents tomorrow morning. It's gonna be a long day with visits earmarked to look up Kurup kochachhan and Achu's would-be-bride, her family. 

We are back exactly nine months after our last visit!