It was another rainy morning. My cellphone rings. I pick the call. Its Jyothi, my son. He says" Amma, you need to come to Bangalore and stay with me." The maid who looks after Ganesh is young and inexperienced. She cannot handle things alone and your presence is required. If I don't go either my son Jyothi or Darsana, my daughter in law, will have to quit their job to look after the baby. At 74 am I prepared to travel to Bangalore? Calls started flowing from Darsana as well as her mother who is at Bangalore for the time being. All voices requested the same.
Can I adjust the weather, dust and chilled mornings of Bangalore? Will Darsana like my simple and traditional ways of living and my old thoughts? She requires me at this time. Will she loose her comfort zone during my presence or visa versa? Lots of questions floating around my mind. My mind became standstill to answer a firm Yes or No. Its pretty long time since I have seen Ganesh, my grandson. I haven't e seen their new apartment either. Finally I decide to go to Bangalore . I was a bit apprehensive about a long journey. Hence Jyothi suggested an air journey. I politely denied it as I am not used to it. Don't want to take an adventure at this Septuagenarian era.
Jyothi went and got a tea for me. This hot drink energized me as I sipped it . He then encircled his arms around my shoulders and assisted me across the foot over bridge. The over bridge was looking like heights of ecstasy. During my young ages I could cross it easily. I remembered my those days when we crossed rail foot over bridges at Kolkatta, Chennai and many places when I worked along with my husband at Bhutan. Jyothi was a small boy then and I would hold him firm while walking in busy railway stations of Kolkatta and Chennai. Time has changed and now time for him to hold me. It was long time since I have walked together with my son. He had booked an air conditioned berth that was scary to me. Perhaps he had no other option due to last minute booking and rush of people moving to Bangalore. The journey started. Darsana had insisted me to carry woolen clothing, a shawl and a pair of socks to face the wintry feel of the air conditioned coach.
Jyothi was very hungry and badly wanted to eat. I had two packets of food cooked at home wrapped in plantain leaves. I came to know that he was having his breakfast at 5 PM in the evening. He said that he may require more food a little later . The woolen linen made me warm and slowly started getting accustomed to the air conditioned atmosphere. I kept my legs kept comfortably, looking out of the window. He was sitting opposite to me speaking to me. It was a long time since I have spoken to him so long. He convinced me that the weather is good at Bangalore and is not raining unlike Kerala. Blankets were given in the train and things looked good. The night passed on. Many people were trying to reach my cell phone, I did not bother to pick up as the phone was inside a bag that was underneath the seat. Jyothi was tired and he crashed off to a sound sleep. It was dawn and then we the train stopped at Dharmapuri, a small town bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tea vendor comes inside saying chai, chai," Jyothi woke up brought breakfast and Tea. He had a heavy breakfast as he did not eat well the previous day. I however managed with biscuits, a slice of bread and warm tea.
My brothers were desperately trying to reach Jyothi on his cell as I didn't answer calls the previous night. He called and messaged everyone and informed that we are safe. Passengers around us told that Cochin Airport has been closed as flood waters hit the runway. Rail traffic is suspended from Kerala since yesterday night. Many roads were closed. The train we traveled was the last rake to move out of Ernakulam Jn. The Mullaperiyar dam and other 35 other dam shutters across the state were opened. Water was gushing out and rivers overflowed to near by towns and other habitations. Many roads and buildings drenched and washed away. News was being watched by passengers on their phones. We were lucky enough to cross this area. Fortunately as both of us slept well we did not know anything at night. Else it would have been a nightmare for us too.
We were nearing Bangalore. The train was late for an hours time. Jyothi started moving our luggage to the door. We decided to alight at Banaswadi, a suburban station of Bangalore. I moved along with him with a small bag of medicines. He insisted me not to carry anything. The platform was on the left side hence we moved to the next compartment as the AC attendant was folding all used blankets near the door. Jyothi asked me to stand near the inner door that led to the disabled compartment. He moved to pick other luggage. Unknowingly I leaned to the inlet that faced the disabled compartment. Someone suddenly tried to open that door from inside and suddenly I lost my balance. Fortunately there was a lady and her daughter who encircled her hands across me to prevent me from falling on the floor. She was from France. She encircled me close to her chest like a daughter. Her daughter was along with her and she gently started massaging my palms giving me warmth. I broke up in tears and they consoled me. I felt I had a daughter and a grand daughter at that time.
Can I adjust the weather, dust and chilled mornings of Bangalore? Will Darsana like my simple and traditional ways of living and my old thoughts? She requires me at this time. Will she loose her comfort zone during my presence or visa versa? Lots of questions floating around my mind. My mind became standstill to answer a firm Yes or No. Its pretty long time since I have seen Ganesh, my grandson. I haven't e seen their new apartment either. Finally I decide to go to Bangalore . I was a bit apprehensive about a long journey. Hence Jyothi suggested an air journey. I politely denied it as I am not used to it. Don't want to take an adventure at this Septuagenarian era.
Monsoon has been prevailing here. This time its the worst in Kerala and especially the northern parts of the state. My place is not much affected. The highest rainfall was recorded this year after a decade. I wanted to carry many things including some vegetables grown around our house along with me to Bangalore. Jyothi doesn't like much luggage while travelling so I thought to wait for his consent. Jyothi called me again and says he would come any moment to take me along with him and asked me to be prepared. He works with the Socio Economic Developmental Sector and has recently changed his job. Still my mind murmured , "think twice, "You might get embarrassed in a Catch 22 situation". I decide to go forward. I come to know Jyothi will reach on 15th Aug 2018. We need to travel on the same day. I requested him not to book a flight as I am not used to it. He agreed to it. Finally he calls me the next day and says he is coming by bus and is starting late night from Bangalore. I was expecting him by morning. Rain was pouring down and low lying areas getting flooded. Jyothi calls me in the morning and says he has reached only Tirunelveli by now and would be late. Rough weather delayed his journey and reached Trivandrum by 1:30 PM. He hired a taxi from the city and came home. We had almost an hours time. Packed everything and was was all set to move.
We started our journey after I had requested Geetha our neighbour to look after my house during my absence. I had asked Geetha to take our Brinjals as well as the plantains during Onam festival. We started our journey after consuming an Avomin Tablet which Jyothi brought. The tablet is to prevent vomiting. That didn’t help me as the tablet was administered right after lunch and the journey started very soon. I had a bad time in the car. I hate journeys in cars as I do puke while travelling on roads. It was raining heavily and we reached the Kochuveli railway station. Jyothi called a porter to help us load our luggage in the train. Normally Jyothi does this task on on his own. He has just recovered from a fragmented left wrist, hence he opted for a porter.
Jyothi went and got a tea for me. This hot drink energized me as I sipped it . He then encircled his arms around my shoulders and assisted me across the foot over bridge. The over bridge was looking like heights of ecstasy. During my young ages I could cross it easily. I remembered my those days when we crossed rail foot over bridges at Kolkatta, Chennai and many places when I worked along with my husband at Bhutan. Jyothi was a small boy then and I would hold him firm while walking in busy railway stations of Kolkatta and Chennai. Time has changed and now time for him to hold me. It was long time since I have walked together with my son. He had booked an air conditioned berth that was scary to me. Perhaps he had no other option due to last minute booking and rush of people moving to Bangalore. The journey started. Darsana had insisted me to carry woolen clothing, a shawl and a pair of socks to face the wintry feel of the air conditioned coach.
Jyothi was very hungry and badly wanted to eat. I had two packets of food cooked at home wrapped in plantain leaves. I came to know that he was having his breakfast at 5 PM in the evening. He said that he may require more food a little later . The woolen linen made me warm and slowly started getting accustomed to the air conditioned atmosphere. I kept my legs kept comfortably, looking out of the window. He was sitting opposite to me speaking to me. It was a long time since I have spoken to him so long. He convinced me that the weather is good at Bangalore and is not raining unlike Kerala. Blankets were given in the train and things looked good. The night passed on. Many people were trying to reach my cell phone, I did not bother to pick up as the phone was inside a bag that was underneath the seat. Jyothi was tired and he crashed off to a sound sleep. It was dawn and then we the train stopped at Dharmapuri, a small town bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tea vendor comes inside saying chai, chai," Jyothi woke up brought breakfast and Tea. He had a heavy breakfast as he did not eat well the previous day. I however managed with biscuits, a slice of bread and warm tea.
My brothers were desperately trying to reach Jyothi on his cell as I didn't answer calls the previous night. He called and messaged everyone and informed that we are safe. Passengers around us told that Cochin Airport has been closed as flood waters hit the runway. Rail traffic is suspended from Kerala since yesterday night. Many roads were closed. The train we traveled was the last rake to move out of Ernakulam Jn. The Mullaperiyar dam and other 35 other dam shutters across the state were opened. Water was gushing out and rivers overflowed to near by towns and other habitations. Many roads and buildings drenched and washed away. News was being watched by passengers on their phones. We were lucky enough to cross this area. Fortunately as both of us slept well we did not know anything at night. Else it would have been a nightmare for us too.
We were nearing Bangalore. The train was late for an hours time. Jyothi started moving our luggage to the door. We decided to alight at Banaswadi, a suburban station of Bangalore. I moved along with him with a small bag of medicines. He insisted me not to carry anything. The platform was on the left side hence we moved to the next compartment as the AC attendant was folding all used blankets near the door. Jyothi asked me to stand near the inner door that led to the disabled compartment. He moved to pick other luggage. Unknowingly I leaned to the inlet that faced the disabled compartment. Someone suddenly tried to open that door from inside and suddenly I lost my balance. Fortunately there was a lady and her daughter who encircled her hands across me to prevent me from falling on the floor. She was from France. She encircled me close to her chest like a daughter. Her daughter was along with her and she gently started massaging my palms giving me warmth. I broke up in tears and they consoled me. I felt I had a daughter and a grand daughter at that time.
The train stopped at Bansaswadi. The lady and her family helped us to disembark the train along with our luggage. They left us after hugging me and shaking hands with both of us. I expressed my gratitude to this family who helped me and emotionally consoled me.
Reaching Jyothi’s home at Bangalore, meandering the traffic, was a annoying experience. It took more than an hour to travel six kilometers. Stepping into the new apartment Ganesh, my two year old grandson was exited to see me. He brought me a toy and Darsana said this is "Achamma". He called me Achamma very passionately. I hugged Ganeshu and could feel his unstained love. Bangalore days begin with love.
Reaching Jyothi’s home at Bangalore, meandering the traffic, was a annoying experience. It took more than an hour to travel six kilometers. Stepping into the new apartment Ganesh, my two year old grandson was exited to see me. He brought me a toy and Darsana said this is "Achamma". He called me Achamma very passionately. I hugged Ganeshu and could feel his unstained love. Bangalore days begin with love.
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