Parenthood - a glimpse of 3rd Nov 2013

We have been blessed with our baby girl Ritika on 9th January 2013. A lot has changed in our lives after her arrival. It is 10th month running for her. We can see that she has very well started recognizing us by our voice. She needs our attention all the times :). So, if we are talking for sometime without giving heed to her, she would make sounds and calls on us...

Well, she has woken up now. I have just kissed on her cheek and she is smiling at me. Since she is buckled up in a bouncing chair, I would need to pick her up.. My wife is busy in the kitchen. So, let me just wind this up here and pick Ritika up :)

Our Ritu

9th January 2013 - Our little princess is born.

I was in office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu that day. My wife was at her home in Changanassery, Kerala. We were awaiting our baby :). It was in afternoon that my wife called up and said that she has started feeling pain.. I had to make quick decisions to find a way to reach hospital on time. Well, I called her back and came to know that, she is already booking flight ticket for me with the pain!

We were lucky enough to get the ticket for flight scheduled for 6.10 pm. It was 4pm already. I drove with the maximum speed possible back to apartment in Chennai to pick up my bag. Since I knew the two places where the speed guns are placed enroute from Siruseri to Thiruvamiyur, I slowed down and revved the car below 60 Kmph on those two sites. While driving, I called up 'fast track' car service and booked a cab to pick me up as soon as i reach our Chennai apartment. Back in home, the cab driver was on the way; 10min late and I had to run to the main road taking the bag so that I can catch him on the way. It was 5.30pm when we were 5-7kms far from airport. In heavy traffic of Chennai, car was just making its way like a snail and I was getting uneasy. I called up the customer care of airlines and came to know that the flight was 30min late. That time, I really thought that the flight has been delayed by god for me to catch it.

When I landed in Kochi, I grabbed a cab and told him that my wife is hospitalized for delivery and have to reach there at the earliest. It was 7.30pm then. He understood the urgency and started speeding in the heavy evening traffic of Kochi. In seaport-airport road, we were hit with an unexpected block. Some tanker has turned causing gas leak and there was evacuation in progress and roads were blocked. We had to take an alternate winding root and that included a railway crossing also. Well, the crossing was closed and we had to wait for 30-45 min there. Even after this delay, the driver of cab was determined enough to drive me to the hospital. I recognized his promptness in a decisive way apart from the fare.

When I reached hospital, it was 10.15pm. The delivery has happened already and my wife and baby were healthy. When I saw Ritika for the first time, I cried. Tears of happiness. God gifted us our princess that day :).

It wasn't much of an ordeal to get to hospital from Chennai that day. God has just eased it a lot - in form of ticket availability in last hour, delay of flight and finally in form of the cab driver.

Our Ritu on 10th of Jan 2013

October 7th was my birthday!

I came to know from my wife that, a small get-together was arranged at our Changanassery home with father's close friends and their family. It was planned on Saturday, 7th October 2012. I was at my home at Kollam that morning. I had lunch with my parents on my birthday and started for Changanassery in Chennai mail, at 3.30 pm. Reaching home, I learned that, Radhika had indeed made a superb black forest with cherry toppings and icing for me that day. 

Black Forest made by my wife!

Our friends and family joined us that night. It was indeed after a long gap, that the families were together. We could see that each and everyone enjoyed the moment. The element of surprise was that, It wasn't told to them that, it was my birthday. Together with them, a wonderful time was gifted to me this birthday. Thanks for putting up such a plan my dear :).

What makes them do this?

I was late that Friday when I started from Thiruvanmiyur home for Chennai central railway station. I was in obvious hurry and it was drizzling. The normal auto rickshaw charge from Thiruvanmiyur RTO to Tidel Park Suburban railway station is 40 rupees. As usual, these guys ask 50 rupees for this trip; quoting hike in petrol price (even if their vehicle has LPG label stamped on it). 

This driver saw me walking (literally running) towards the RTO road. Sudden thoughts of 'Ha, yet another prospective customer' sprung onto his mind. I got into the auto and told my destination. As though a thunderbolt has struck him, came the reply.. 'Sir, 60 rupees venam'. I knew it was way too much. I didn't want to argue since time was against me. I just told him that, he knows clearly my situation and that is the reason why he is demanding me. Also, I told him that, normal rate is 40 and the max is 50. He then said that, it was heavy traffic. I replied saying that, next time, when another person gets into his auto for same route, ask him only 50 and requested him to drive little fast. This guy, as if to avenge my words, started driving slowly. I didn't speak until it was 100 meters away from Tidel railway station. The red signal was on and traffic had already piled up. The guy started murmuring something that time. The inferiority complex has settled upon and played lot of damage to thoughts of these guys. That is what which makes them do all this.

I stepped out of auto and paid him 70 rupees mentioning 'you can still drive with speed'. And, I told him this:  'As I told you, do not ask 60 rupees from next person who gets into your auto in same route.' Turning back, I saw him by the corner of my eye; nodding his head as if he got what I meant. 

Well, good for him if he understood. Because, we cannot take what is not meant for us.

The way the world is...

I was travelling to home town for the weekend that Friday. I usually buy something for dinner from French Loaf counter at Chennai central railway station.

On that day too, I reached the shop by 7.20 pm. I finished my purchase when I saw a poor old lady (by looks, she was over 70), requesting to the shop attender for a burger. She was holding 10 rupees in hand. The attender was telling her it cannot be given for 10 rupees. Then, she started searching the knot in her saree patiently; counted and handled over 5 rupees in coins. The attender mocked at it and started shooing her away. I was irritated at this and asked him, how much more he need. Suddenly, laughs died down on his face and he said 50 rupees. I handed over the extra money to him and asked him to give the food to her.

This is the way the world is. We see instances like this in our daily life. We never know what circumstances make people beg. Ignore them; but never mock or make fun at them.

Journey to Guruvayoor - Happenings on a day

We had a trip to Guruvayoor temple on 5th Nov 2011. This was a trip which was arranged with both of our families. In fact, something which was planned a month back. Radhika had to leave to home wotn a week before for an appointment with her dentist. I had my ticket confirmed on Patna express from Chennai central at 3.45 am on 5th Nov. I arranged a taxi for 2.00 am to take me to Chennai central railway station. Reaching station at 2.45 am, I was taken aback by the departure board displaying 12.00 pm as departure time for Patna Express. Train was delayed by 8 hrs! Many things came to my mind together with the much renowned lack of punctuality of Indian railways. I ran to the information center confirmed the obvious! Only option left out for me was to catch the Bokaro (aka Tata Alleppey) express which is scheduled to depart in another 45 min. 

I didn't have a ticket for this train and found reasonably long queue (considering 3.30 am) for single counter opened in ticket counter of a major railway station. I managed to reach the counter at 4.03 am. When I asked for a sleeper ticket, Mr Counter Man said that sleeper tickets are sold in 1st floor. I didn't see any board in that site which conveys such an information (Put this way, for Mr Counter Man, the age old computer would be interested only in generating general class tickets Or, it might be that, he cannot guarantee a colored sleeper ticket because the color cartridge is out; what else!). Left with no option, I took the so called 'open ticket'; a word which I am hearing/experiencing for first time. Before taking the ticket, I checked with this guy, who was joking behind me until that moment, whether I could board Bokaro express with this ticket. To my surprise, he started acting very busy to get his ticket from the counter. I got the matter. He simply doesn't want to see a 'good thing' happening to a fellow human being. What else could I perceive out of this? (I recollect seeing this guy in the same train and was heading to Coimbatore. He never saw me.) People are un-predictable all the time. That was an experience indeed.

I had to get into sleeper class with open ticket. Getting into general compartment was equivalent to throwing yourself into death by suffocation due to lack of space and oxygen. I met couple of aged employees returning to Erode after work. Here I met a person who was working with Indian Railways for on contract basis for over 15 years!. He gave me good company and we inquired each other on work and life. Time passed and I had a decent nap of 3-4 hrs in train. My new friend woke me up when the train reached Shornur as he was getting down there. 

All through till now, I missed to mention that, our 'working' union of kerala has called a 'hartal' in protest of petrol price hike from central government. Even though state government had cut on its taxes by 27 paise the previous day, hartal was something which would be celebrated without any change. 

I reached Thrissur at 4.00 pm. Earlier in the noon, my wife called me and said that they were lucky to get a KSTRC transport bus heading to Guruvayoor as they managed to reach the Thissur railway station. I was in the hope of another such magic happening for myself. I stepped out of railway station's side exit and saw many auto rickshaws there. I approached one Mr.SeemToBeGoodGuy and asked whether auto would go to transport bus stand. He said that it is transport hartal and no vehicles would run on road. When I told him that KSRTC buses are plying, this person said that KSRTC buses were stopped a while ago. It was in matter of seconds that Mr.SeemToBeGoodGuy turned out to be a Mr.ReallyReallyBadGuy for me. Because, he was plainly lying and I knew that transport buses were plying with police protection. I often wondered why these gentlemen get dressed up in morning and stay put in such places to disrupt normal people's living. Why couldn't they just stay back at home and support the so called hartal; staying out of road?

The world, as it goes along, turns bad; 
and gets tougher to live with...

Epilogue: I walked to main exit of railway station with my luggage and saw an auto rickshaw guy (void the khakhi uniform) whom god has sent to help me. He asked me the destination and five minutes later, we reached Thrissur KSRTC bus stand. There were police squads deployed for safe travel of real 'working' class. After 15 hrs of ordeal, I managed a comfortable seat for my journey to Guruvayoor on a bus charted to start at 5.00 pm.

A distinguished birthday celebration

It was 7th October 2011. The day which added another 1 to my age :). I returned from office early that day. Radhika and amma prepared payasam that day. I got fresh and to my surprise Radhika and amma called me to cut the birthday cake. It was a 'White Forest' ordered from the cake outlet in 'Spencers daily', Thiruvanmiyur. Radhika had arranged for it without my knowledge.

I came to know later from amma, that my wife walked all the way in hot sun to get the cake which was ordered; since they didn't have home delivery and also kept the element of surprise. I got a nice Tee shirt from amma. As a birthday gift, my wife who is aware of my interest towards reading, bought me the book 'TATA - The evolution of a Corporate Brand' by Morgan Witzel.

This birthday was a distinguished and most memorable one for me. It was the first one after our marriage and it was full of surprise and love. Radhika, I love you my dear :)

A heart touching incident

I recollect this incident which happened in July 2011. We normally do shopping on Sunday's for the upcoming week and we go to 'Spencers daily' in thiruvanmiyur for that. It was a Sunday. We completed our shopping and got out of the store. I collected my bike from the parking lot and started it.

Suddenly, a poor kid appeared from nowhere and stood near us; crying out 'anna anna' and 'akka akka ' with extended arms. I had change with me and took out 10 rupees for her. She didn't take it to our surprise... Instead, she said 'paise venda anna... antha bun vaangi thanna pothum...' (I don't want money brother, please buy that bun alone for me'). She was pointing to the 'Burger Man' outlet in front of Spencers daily. Those words touched my heart and I took out 50 rupees from my wallet and asked Radhika to buy the kid a burger. She was all smiles and ever happy than me to do it. We waited for the store person at outlet to prepare the burger to ensure that kid gets it. When kid got the burger, we could see the happiness on her face. She told us. 'Rumba thanks akka.. rumba thanks anna' (Thanks very much brother... thanks very much sister) and started eating it wholeheartedly.

That moment, I felt this. How many could have ignored her pleadings? How much she would have wanted for the 'bun' when she had seen parents buying it for their kids? How much her parents or 'her master' would have scolded or beaten her for asking the 'bun'? We could see the answers for all these questions in her eyes.

We silently drove back to our home. 

A Burglar's attempt on our car

This incident happened in May 2011. It was a weekend and Radhika's mother was with us on a visit. We decided to spend that Sunday evening in Thiruvanmiyur beach, People who know this beach would also know, the point where the beach road starts after the turn from Thiruvanmiyur RTO. We parked the car in the pocket road which leads to the starting point of beach road. This road is badly lit and we never knew that, this was a place where anti-social elements lurked in danger during night.

I noted this person who was sitting on a bike nearby, smoking a cigarette. Somewhere in my thoughts, I had the cold feeling that this guy was staring and when I noticed, he was turning back. We normally wont give much heed to onlookers when we come with family and so, we walked our way towards the beach. We might have spent 45 minutes there and started moving to the car. The time was past 8.45 pm. I walked towards the car, unlocked and opened the door. My wife started opening the front passenger seat door when she called out my name aloud. It was then, that I noticed something sparkling besides the seat in low lit street light. I was shocked to see that left door glass was broken and entire piece has caved into the seat. Her money purse was missing from the compartment beneath the hand brake. The nasty miscreant has broken the glass to steal the purse.
He might not have had enough time to search rest of the car. What he has gained out of that action was 700 odd rupees. We were lucky that he didn't search the back seat since there was another bag with some considerable amount in it.

Set aside what he has 'earned'; he was unaware of damage he has inflicted upon the car. Change of glass cost me 1600 rupees. I didn't get the proper shade of garware classic sun film for 4 months, which matched the shade in rest of windows; because, greedy shop keepers wanted 2000 rupees, even to fill out that single glass. I finally found a lesser greedy one who finally ended up putting a junk film which had scratches (which I noticed after he fixed it since they weren't visible with the adhesive piece on) and matched 70% to original shade for 800 Rs. The loss due to thief to the car was 3000 rupees in total.

I thank god that he didn't think of looking into back seat. Something or someone might have stopped him; of which we are not aware of; till now.

Prologue: We never parked in pocket roads after this incident. We took the car to beach road and kept it in reach of our eyesight. Always.

When virus caught me!

This happened in July 2011. I don't remember reading monthly astrological publication that Librans born in first half of October would have bad time. On 5th of July morning, at around 12.15 am, I took my wife to Menangudy hospital. Adyar; owing to high fever. The doctor prescribed a medication course and assured that there is nothing to worry.

At around 11 am, I started experiencing high temperature and shivering. The health condition of both of us were going bad and we thought of travelling to hometown since tatkal tickets were available that evening.

Next day, on 6th of July, I was lying in a bed at St.Thomas hospital, Chethipuzha. I was having 104 degree fever and was advised to be hospitalized. Call it luck, my wife was recovering with the medication she was taking. I was bed ridden for 3 days with high fever.

I would say, I didn't suffer much. But, tension was high since the season was bad and scores were thronging the hospital with malaria and viral fever. Perhaps something big which was supposed to happen was averted with such an incident...

God's play.

A sanctuary for reptiles

Crocodile park (Officially Madras Crocodile Bank Trust) in chennai is famous for the wide variety of reptile species it houses. Conceived as a 'Bank' which is a home for endangered species, it holds more than 10 species of crocodiles and turtles amounting to  over 2000 animals. The park is located in Vadanemmeli, around 40 km from Chennai. 

I have been there for four to five times. The last visit which I did was the best one. It was in June 2011. It rained the previous day. Normally, it is hard to see them out of their comfort zone 'home'. Often I could see disheartened visitors with sad faces going out of the sanctuary, since they couldn't get even get a peek of the animals for which they came for. To my surprise, I saw that all the reptiles were basking on the land in broad day light; away from the water. I didn't understand the reason for this behavior. Well, leaving that to the speculation of the reader, I will take you through few photos which I took during my visit...

A trip to Mahabalipuram

I am not going to go to the history of Mahabalipuram aka Mamallapuram... Google or Wikipedia can share the same with you. So, what am I doing here instructing you? Ah, cut the crap. This trip dates back to May 2011...

I had thought about taking my wife to Mahabalipuram. I shared the same thought with Savin; who seemed to be interested in joining us with his partner. So, that was a 'family' trip. My wife volunteered to cook Idly and chutney for the breakfast. We set off at morning 5.30 in Savin's car and reached Mahabalipuram after a 50km drive. 

First place of visit was the Shore temple. Shore temple is a real sight to see. Built in granite, the temple stays alongside Bay of Bengal and enchants the visitors with its history dated back to 8th century AD. 

From there, we moved on to the site of Pancha Rathas, named after the pandavas and draupadi. 
The interesting fact is that, each of the temple dedicated to the icons is a monolith built out of granite.

On the way back we stepped out to see the 'Arjuna's Penance'. Associated with the site is the Krishna Mandapam monument. The giant rock which defies gravity; called Krishna's butter ball is also visible from there.

We started our way back from Mahabalipuram. Next destination was the Crocodile park, officially called Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, located in Vadanemmeli near to the Muthukad lake. The CrocBank serves as home for numerous endangered species of crocodiles, snakes and turtles. It is a must visit place indeed; Of-course, for those who doesn't fear reptiles.

Very much pre-occupied to give me a shot...

Three Musketeers :)

We started our way back from the park at around 1pm. Signing off, the trip was a successful one except for the hard sun Chennai always sprays on its visitors. 

One tip I could offer for Mahabalipuram visitors is to plan Shore Temple visit after evening 5.30 PM. The monuments there will offer perfect visual treat in association with sunset, for you.

Vishu of 2011

'Vishu' is celebrated as the first day of the Malayalam Calender. The auspicious day when the head of family arrange a 'Vishu Kani' for the family to bring luck and prosperity to the family for the entire year.

In 2011, this day fell on 15th April. I had the tickets for my hometown booked two months back. I travelled to Kerala on 12th April. It was the first Vishu for us after the marriage.

On 15th April, at 5.30, we were called up for viewing the 'Kani' in our Pooja room. As a part of the custom, 'Vishu Kaineetam' ritual took place. We visited my younger cousins and gave 'Kaineetam' to them. My In-laws joined us for Vishu on 15th April by noon, in Kollam. We had the Vishu Sadhya at my home. As part of the get together, we visited some of our relatives. The air was good and everyone had a good time.

We returned to Chennai on 20th April. Thinking back now, we had a good time back in Kerala. A rememberable Vishu indeed after our marriage.

To end this post, let me wish each and every reader a prosperous year ahead.

Reviving those memories

This was when we went to hometown in April; away from the busy and hectic Chennai.

We really find home, a special place when we are away from it. It was quite sometime since our last journey to hometown. I felt the freshness in my mind, when I heard that the climate was rainy. Same feeling which I have felt many times; during my college days, when the rainy season was near the doors... the urge to get back to home.

I sat in the doorstep facing our backyard. I narrated to my wife, the times of my college days where I used to sit in the same place; watching the rain. The backyard was teaming with life. I have heard those sounds a lot many times before. But suddenly, I felt like, I was hearing them for the first time.

We have a coconut tree at the east, near to the compound wall enclosing the plot. I used to watch streams of sunlight passing though the leaves of the tree during sunrise, those old times. I noticed that tree. It has been a long time. The rain was heavy and I noted the leaves. It seemed like those old leaves were still positioned there... or was it an illusion?

I used to count ripples in small pots of rain water in those old times. I watched them now... I didn't feel like counting. We change a lot when we grow up... Small things like this, when thought about, explains a lot... a lot about how we were then and and how we are now.

The wind was getting heavy. My mother was calling us inside. We have to catch the train back to Chennai the next day. Thinking about that, a cold was unacceptable. Life is different when away from home. Sometimes, that life doesn't understand certain subtle elements like these.

Defining Life, get going is the new motto. And, we go about it, the way it's layed down.

Life of a Sand Castle

They were there... All along the beach shore. They live for the day. At the end of the day, they go back to the place where they belong - the mother, the sea.

We saw this one when we went to beach today. There was a birthday celebration on the beach. A group of children started constructing a sand castle in the shore. Youngsters from the party joined them. They might have worked for more than 30 minutes on that. At the end, there were smiles on those faces. For children, the achievement was overwhelming and for youngsters; it was like the revival of their childhood memories.The children sat besides the inch high wall of their castle. At the end of the photo session thereon, the party concluded. The sand castle was left behind by the team.

The life of the sand castle is not always predictable.

Children playing in the shore consider the place as their playground. Half of the sand castle went down once their games were over.

Time passed by. Tides were rising. Waves started breaching the walls of the castle. Afterall, it has to go back to the place where it belongs. Slowly, we started walking away from the beach.

The Sand Castle lived for one hour; It was just another day for the sea...

The 'Bond' is complete

Time flies by... It was on 1st November 2010, that I got commited to Radhika. I recall now that, It has been nearly tow and a half months, since the wait started.

17th January 2011. The wait ended on that day. The day on which a bond of lifetime, was created. Our marriage was held at Contour Backwaters, Changanacherry. The sacred 'muhurtham' for the 'Thali Kettu' was between 12.15PM and 12.45PM.

At 12.30PM, I tied the sacred knot on Radhika.

As per the custom, Radhika's hand was joined with mine with a Betel leaf. I journied alone till that moment. We start our journey together, hereon.

Epilogue:
I tried to reach all my friends for inviting them for marriage. If I have missed you, It might be that, I wasn't that lucky to have you for my marriage. I apologize for my incapability in reaching you.
For those who managed to reach me during that time via mail or sms or call or by presence, my sincere thanks for thinking about us associating that gracious occasion. I felt that, I could atleast try to pay my gratitude and express my regards to you though this writing.

All is well.

December of 2010

Season's greetings started pouring on to my mailbox that month. It was a special month. The month of Christmas. Month which marks the end of a year, waiting for the brand new year. It was December of 2010.

That December didn't have much of action. It lacked a punch; let me put it in a freak way.

In the last week of December, couple of my roomies went to their hometown. The usual 'gang' wasn't fully present for a bash for the new year.

On 31st December 2010, short in members, our gang headed towards Thiruvanmiyur beach. Beach is just 100m away from our house. There were a lot of families and bachelors pouring into the beach. A group of bachelors already started dancing in one corner of the beach road. This group dropped their voices of cheers as an when a police jeep made its rounds close to the beach.

At 12.00AM, 1st January 2011, strings of firework got triggered all over the beach coast. A moment when everyone at the beach got elated to the highest spirits; forgetting all the worries in their life.

Spirits high, we walked our way to our house; making the way through the crowds who were wishing and hugging, shouting out 'Happy New Year'. Most of them were in moment of self elation, thanks to the contribution of the 'spirit lifter'. We wished them back, let them be 'glorified'.

Welcome, 2011!

The Turning Point

I turned 28 in October 2010. The milestone which the readers of my horoscope marked as a turning point towards the next step of my life. Ending bachelorhood, I was stepping into the Grihastha 'mode'.

The first 'contact' was on 6th October 2010, via google chat. I saw her first on 10th October 2010. Our engagement was fixed.

On 1st November 2010, we became half-bonded when I exchanged ring with Radhika. The bond will become complete on 17th January 2011, when I tie the sacred 'Thali' on her.

The Turning Point.

10/10/10

Does my subject ring a bell?

Sure, it should. 10th Oct '10.

I wanted to make my post for October short... and sweet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I waited for that time..
That time seemed distant for me once.
The angel was so close but,
It was just a matter of time, they say..
When it was time, I travelled miles..
And then, I saw those smiles.
That moment, I knew
It was those, which i waited for..
Those when i saw, i felt;
I had known them for thousand years..
And yes, It passed on the same warmth;
For which i had the feeling,
That i knew her for my past ten lives.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The day was 10/10/10. It was special.

Back to where it all started

It has been 6 years now. From the time when i stepped out of there, precisely April 2004, I haven't got a chance to see that place; until now. Thanks to Sandeep, my friend for more than 10 years now. I visited my college on 5th September, 2010. After 6 long years.

Sandeep's marriage was on 5th September 2010. Our travel was pre-planned on September 3rd, yet another Friday. Since his native is in Thodupuzha itself, I decided that, I should pay a visit to the UCE campus in Muttom; the place which built the engineers in us.

Saturday, 4th September 2010
We had our stay arranged in Rifles club guest house, Muttom. I enjoyed the beauty of Thodupuzha from the club house once again; after 6 years. I felt like, I haven't really tried to know that beauty when i was close to 'her' for 4 years. A cab was arranged for us to see the scenic pleasures of thodupuzha and places nearby. We had visits to Kulamavu, Cheruthoni dams. The scenaries from Nadukani view point, run by the kerala state electricity board was breathtaking. We had our dinner back in Sandeep's house and left for muttom for the night.

Sunday, 5th September 2010
The marriage was in Thodupuzha Sri Krishna Temple auditorium. The function was simple and great. My friend Sandeep, tied the sacred 'Thaali' on Devi in the auspicious muhurtham. The moment of happiness, all well wishes were poured on the newly wed couple by friends and relatives. Bliss.

We came back to Muttom after marriage. We were to board our train to Chennai, from Kottayam. We took a Bus from the thodupuzha bus station. We reached the railway station well before the train departure.

Everything went well. Everyone was happy. That journey carried a lot of meaning with it.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Back to where it all started?

Campus
We came back to Muttom after marriage. I had my friends also in the car. I told them that I need to pay a visit to my college. I was driving the car. They definitely had to agree to my wish ;).
The pathway from the college entrance to the buildings were outlined with grown up trees. The trees which we planted around 8 years back. They had grown a lot, I thought. Well, all of them had grown together, without separation. A truth which never or rarely occured amongst those who gave lives to the trees. Life, it is.
My rounds in the campus were brief. I circled the 'supposed to be playground' once. Coming out of campus, I drove by the side of our 'Sathram'. Sathram was our place of stay. It was meant for anyone visiting Muttom to jump in and rest for a day/week/month. The choice was their's indeed.

I drove to the end of the road besides Sathram. The mountainous road which oversees the pure serenity of the hills beyond. I stayed there for a minute and payed my tribute of visit to that place. Short, but sweet. My mind was delighted for the fulfillment of something of great value. I was happy.

Back to where it all started.