After much deliberation and pondering over the decision to fly spice jet, the D Day arrived. We left for the airport at about
11:00 AM on the 25 th January and arrived at the Chennai airport by 11:30.Baggage screening and the preliminary checks were over and done by 11:45.We had all the time at our disposal for the
1:55 flight. Unaware of what to do, we strolled across the length and breadth of the airport lounges till we finally decided to have a seat. Unusually the flight was on time and one has to say that it was extremely pleasant afternoon for us. The Cabin crew made the onboard experience even more enjoyable.3:30 PM it was, as we landed at the Chatrapati Intl Terminal, Mumbai.After collecting our baggage (unfortunately which was last to arrive at the conveyor belt), we set our steps towards the exit. There it was. Mumbai at our sight. Arghhh! Also chechu mama at our sight. As usual with a madaya greeting in which he alone in this whole cosmos could specialize, ushered us towards the cab and lead us into the city. As the driver sat in his seat, chechu mama uttered three words to him… R.A.Kidwai Road, Wadala.
There it was. Our first stop on the journey. One could hear the pants and phews of amma as she managed to climb the two floors of Bhaweshwar Dham (After all old age does take its toll. She is 48 years old but never admits that).Not surprisingly reminiscence of childhood blossomed in her mind. One could hear her cry loud “Inga than naan, meera, chitra ellarum odi, aadi, velaiyaaduvom”.”Inga than naanga ellaroda veettu calling bellaium adippom”. (I thought “ungala yaaru adippa”).As we set our foot on the final step of the second floor, Papa Perimma and athimber were there to receive us. After cramping my leg for nearly two hours, at last I felt myself at home. (Wonder why all the flights are built with very poor leg room space!).Soft Rava Idlis and Sweet Bolis welcomed us too. One could not really control the appetite. (After all we traveled in a low cost airline).After spending nearly two hours at wadala, we decided to leave for our next destination. As we sat inside the lovely sedan (Maruthi Esteem), chechu mama uttered three words to the driver…Garodia Nagar, GhatKhopar.
There we were. It was around 8:00 PM and we arrived at GhatKhopar.Radha, Srinath, Srihari were also present at Balaji that time. After completing the formal enga–irukkel, eppadi–irukkel greetings, chit chatting started and continued for some while, till the time our stomachs started crying. Oblivious to the fact that I was hunger personified, srihari continued to torment me with his batman, he-man, racing car and srinath stories. But as it went, he was brilliant in his narration. One has to admire his way of speaking (those slanting head with eyes pointed slantingly upwards).I certainly enjoyed it.Srinath was his usual self. Calmness personified, Listening to Worldspace and teaching me how to operate it. Both these fellows made me forget that it was 9:30 PM and my stomach was ringing bells for the past one hour. After having the dinner and arranging the place for next days function (apart from playing a 100 meter sprint race with Mr.Mooshik), we decided to call it a day and resigned our self to the bed. Before I went to sleep I was given a stern order by amma.”Kaarthaala seekaram ezhundukkanum, nyabagam vechukko”.I asked her “eththana manikku” to which she replied “anchu (5) manikku”.
There I went to my sleep with the harrowing thought of waking up at 5 AM.I could not really remember when I did that before. Probably 10th standard. Probably 12th standard.
To be continued…
Sneak Preview of Day 2, Mumbai marathon:
Getting up for the function
Breakfast and meeting with fellow VRS ians
The Function Itself
Lunch
Afternoon Powernap
Trip to what most people call the best mall housed by prince of suburbs (mulund)
Dinner
