At Thiruvananthapuram!

Got up at 4 thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm, went about our chores, carried out the Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house and we were ready in all respects by a quarter past 6. Kittu had come by then and he was given his food. He had his food of fish and bread, lingered around us more than usual and meowed quite a number of times.

What was he trying to tell us? Was he trying to tell us that he'd miss us? That our frequent absences are taking a toll on him? Both Lekha and I discussed about his different behaviour this time and it exercised our minds for quite a while. Another pleasantly surprising behaviour was our neighbours' who showed a lot of concern for us, this time. Wonder why?

We'd taken our first break at the IOC petrol pump to use the rest room. And then, we headed for the Ananda Bhavan with the thought of ordering a 'combo' and split it between the two of us, as is our usual practice. Somewhere, in between, I'd gathered quite a bit of speed and when Lekha had called out that we'd indeed overshot the hotel, it was too late. The central median didn't have any break for quite a while and turning around just for breakfast was not considered a good decision and therefore, we'd pressed on.

We'd our breakfast of poori-masala at the Arya's before Kalamasserry, around a quarter past 8. And soon we were escorted by Padmakumar - I'd requested this help - as I'm still lost in that network of inner roads. And the sweet guy that he is, he always have provided that support very sportingly. Lekha was dropped at Rema's, our Chevy parked at the Sidhi Kedar slot and I went over to the Vyttila hub to catch the low floor bus to Thiruvananthapuram. 

However, thanks to the traffic congestion I missed the low floor bus of 1040 hrs and had to while away time till 1215 hrs, to board the next bus. The traffic was mad, to say the least. I'd got a good seat and the journey was comfortable but the bus was an hour late! I'd to tell my observations to the driver and the conductor - Krishnankutty and Bina - and they've noted them down, which were :-

   (a) the bus had stopped for rest room break and tea around a half past 2 at Kayankulam, after leaving

         the Vyttila hub at 1215 hrs. They needed to take stock of the elderly and the diabetics, in

         particular, and reduce this break at the earliest.

   (b) although the power sockets were available at vantage points, power wasn't available. This aspect 

         was duly corrected after my observation. My cell which was low on charge, thus, got a reprieve!

         I can't understand as to why the KSRTC need to be prodded! 

   (c) there used to be lovely music, throughout the journey, through its main announcement system but

         these days, the practice has been discontinued. Have asked them to restart the practice too without

         much ado.

Reached Thampanoor by 1900 hrs, Manu had come to pick me up and he took me to the Foundation office. Enroute, saw the agitating young lady, Anupama, in front of the office of the Women and Child Welfare Board asking for the return of her child, who has been adopted, without her consent by her parents. Due to the late hour, I didn't stop to offer my support but shall do so in one of these coming days.

We reached Maman's house by a quarter to 8, much earlier than the normal standards. Yakkitiiyak with Ammayi and Chambu and we'd a boisterous supper.

Will commence the work on Muthachhan's biography from tomorrow.

Tailpiece.

Have to complete my work as early as possible to return home.