Abhilash had dropped by at a quarter past 7. Occasionally there's a tightness beneath my sternum and it's very, very uncomfortable so long as it stays. For a moment, I was seriously thinking of skipping the programme but then realised that my folks would feel very disappointed if I didn't fetch up. So with a bit of trepidation, we kicked off for Paravoor - roughly, about 250 km away southward - by 8 o'clock. The journey was nice on the Kodungalloor stretch as traffic was sparse, being a Sunday.
The drive through on the newly opened Vyttila and Kundannur in the heart of Ernakulam town was nice!
Our first stop was at the HP Petrol bunk at Aroor to reduce water levels. Why can't these guys ensure that clean toilets are provided for its customers? And mind you, the toilet is shared by both men and women! Abhilash avoids it totally saying that Covid spreads fast through them and my kidneys work overtime! We went to Chathu's tea stall next door and had another revelation that he gave only black coffee, without milk on Sundays as he doesn't buy it. But the coffee was damn good and he said that he would be winding it up as he worked only during the forenoon, giving me a toothless smile.
The journey continued uninterrupted till we reached 'thirumukku' and took the final turn to Paravoor. Stopped at Nedungolam and had a quick bite of the fried rice-pickle combination that Lekha had given us for lunch and Abhilash had said that he'd have his once I went into the house. It was a half past 2 and made it a point to meet all my close relations. The body of Kurup kochachhan was taken out of the mobile mortuary for the final rites. Stood by him for a few minutes with folded hands and prayed.
Kurup kochachhan had his admirers, followers and supporters. They had been trickling in since last evening and from early morning today. After my arrival at a half past 2, there were about 150 to 200 onlookers, breaking existing Covid protocols!
At 3, the body was taken to the backyard and placed on the pyre which was just of the plot where Leela kunjamma was cremated, 9 years back. By a half past 3, the mortal remains were consigned to the flames. Had said my quick farewell to everyone and left for Guruvayur almost immediately. The roads were a little more populated with traffic, being a Sunday evening and most of the crowd was returning to their homes after the weekend.
The traffic had picked up with the accompaniment of rain which of course, withered away as we sped through the Kodungallor stretch and the drive was very smooth as Abhilash had vouched for. The road was totally empty and we seemed to be the only ones driving at that point of time. We reached 'The Quarterdeck' by 2200 hrs, dispatched Abhilash quickly and I'd a thorough wash.
A quiet dinner of Upma, sugar and banana, with a little bit of yakkitiyak and we were off to bed by about a trifle past 11.
It was a short trip that carried a lot of memories!
Tailpiece.
The scare in the morning had long since dissipated. I'm still disappointed by the cleanliness of toilets in various petrol bunks. Why don't we give the priority that it deserves? We had better, before it harms many.
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