"Narayana Travels"

I finished the newly purchased Chandrika soap at a stretch, worth of Rs.3. The teeny soap had a fascinating foray across each and every inches of my body with self depreciation and then departed. It took away the putrefied layer of sweat and dust on my regions. It was so hard for me to take a shower with the Chandrika in the hard-water from the tap. I rubbed and wiped me with my permanent wafer thin travel-bath towel. Then I rinsed it, squeezed it, quivered it and i wrapped it around the middle part of my body. I stepped out into the living room.

THIS bath took place at a midnight in an attached bathroom of a hotel room in Guruvayoor. I came along all the way, i.e. around 400 km’s from my native place, Kasaragod to witness a most awaited marriage of my uncle. It isn’t going to be a love marriage, but a lovely arranged marriage. Why this marriage is going to be important for me? Because, the groom is my relative and the bride, the neighbor. So, I was an inevitable person to be here at the function to both the bride and groom. So, I wasn’t just a useless youngster here as usual, but I was given special value and reverence by the both. Being in Guruvayoor is always been my passion and pleasure, reasons are many!

There were around 35 in the bus, a luxury bus of 'Narayana Travels'. We had started our ‘Guruvayoor wedding trip’ by 11 a.m from Kasaragod. It was me who entered first into bus to reserve a fitting seating near to the windows. I had thrown away the dignity called 'maturity', before I enter the bus. I wish to sit with a flexible and recreational sitting pause with complete loosening of muzzles with utmost ease and private comfort; that pause may appeal to others in the bus as that of an immature brat. I wanted to sit freely, without any disturbance. Sitting with a fat person in a narrow bus seating always had flat me out.

The 35 includes sobbing babies, bawling kids, dreamy teens, on the job youngsters, pensioners and an ultimate heaven seeker who was at his nineties! There were retired air force uncle, retired fire force uncle, retired DYSP uncle, retired lecturer aunty, planter uncle and so on. These were known and called up after their respective profession.

Noticeably there was a pretty girl named Aiswarya. It was my debut meeting with her in this life. We spoken to each other and I enjoyed her presence in the bus. But, I had to keep her at a distance; reasons are many!

Apart from me, there was another 'interesting' guy in the bus, Vinu. He was a job seeking fresher in Electronics and communication. He has been returning from Bengaluru a number of times bare handed, after attending a few interviews in last couple of months. He looked so simple. His ‘outlooks’ never announced that he is extra-brainy, but he is. He was plain to a fault. We too met for the first time in this life. As time passes on the way, we gradually became closer and signed on a permanent friendship pact.

He told me with a naked grin, “Ambi, I thought you will be so arrogant and egoist, at a glance from your outer shell; but, when i spoke to you i realized that you are as simple as… what to say man? You are as simple as a cowboy! Your tastes, perceptions, turns of mind, foolishness and all impressed me a lot.” It was one among the greatest and sincerest recognition I have ever got in my so-far-life!

The bus stopped in regular intervals for filling and emptying the stomachs. The time crept. We had a late lunch and then resumed. The climate was so drizzly and murky; so, I couldn’t keep the glass window wide open. But, I ignored the rain shell and breathed the chilled oxygen and tasted the rain drops often. When the bus penetrate through the rush cities, I had been in an act of throwing vigilant gazes at the captivating saunter and pulsating anatomical garnishes of the college girls on streets. I loved observing and studying the beauty measures of every young female-strangers, especially during a journey. Some stares, some lascivious smiles, some rash looks were all the resultants of my effort from inside the glass window. I also actively enjoy every moving and non-moving objects on my bus journeys, like a space researcher who peeps into the infinity through his telescope.

I stuff head phones into the ear holes; which would give a back-ground music to the scenes I see and the thoughts I accumulate within. I thought about my ‘Miss. Y’ and kept on messaging her along with a musical bath. Music enhances the love and the humanity. My favorite music had been an exhilarating factor to my emotions, feelings and thoughts, like drugs I guess! I hated speaking in a moving bus; it could agitate my head. I hated using cell phone either to message or to call on journey, since it obstructs me to the most entertaining stuffs in store. Vinu was not fat and was not talkative. He cooperated with my silent company to an appreciable extend! He was a movie maniac and kept on keeping a view on the TV screen affixed in bus.

The time crept on, daylight diminished and headlights from horning vehicles took the stage on. I hobbled on slowly in the moving bus and spread my pleasant presence to all my new relatives. I carried my Mani unlce’s kid Malu and pampered her with hilarious gesticulations and provoking sounds. The endearing tot began to cackle. Suddenly, a parlous biff to the bus and it got into a sudden halt!

Every lady in the bus propagated a terrifying course of noise. “Oh, my god! What the hell is that!” did resonance in unison from most of the throats. The bus met with an adventitious stuck up! The strong momentum pushed all of us forward and many heads hit the front seat. Malu screamed in a petrifying violence. I did handover Malu to my aunt and rushed toward the driver’s cabin.

I stood still gaping at the jaw-dropping scene in front and flabbergasted. The bus got thumped up by a disfigured tree branch. The giant front glass had broken into sheer pieces and the driver found laid over the steering wheel with a screech. At first, I felt like laughing at the risible scene of collapsed glass and down headed driver, even though my heart was pounding bit faster. It was for the first time I was a part of a bus accident. I felt proud of myself for being met with an original accident and to survive succesfully! Everyone in bus also scuttled into and someone got off the bus onto the road and appeared in front of the bus. The high-way police, local rickshaw drivers, native livers too scurried into the spot. They walked over the crumbled glass pieces on the road and studied the accident.

I asked the driver, “Are you okay? You hurt…?” He looked at me and nodded in indication that he is alright. There was a small bleak leak of blood at his forehead from the strike of the glass pieces, but it wasn’t severe. He was instantly sent to the nearest doctor, one of my relatives escorted him.

The old, grumbled god on this quiet unfair omen. But, we self-consoled though there was no more peril!

“No no, you are wrong... Its not because of rain, it’s only because of the driver’s drowsiness! Damned…” Everyone discussed and disclosed their various view points, comments, suggestions and FIR’s. “Anyways it’s not because of the mistake of the tree.” I bottom-lined.

I fell absent minded and absent stomached in frustration. I looked at my watch. It was 9 pm. We were near to Kutipuram, around 40 more km’s distant from the destination, Guruvayoor. We had to travel again for an hour. The driver came back in a few minutes and said he is medically fine and healthy enough to handle the wheel. But, it was deadly rainy. So, none can drive the bus in this clime and state, not even Michael Schumacher!

The responsible groom’s father arranged a few taxi cabs and we were guided into with luggage. It was not at all easy to travel by the cab. We were really packed inside the cab. The cab accommodated almost the double or more of its occupancy! But, I grabbed the window side-seat even at this calamitous moment. But, I couldn’t move my arms and legs freely. I felt so tough to take out my cell phone from my jean pocket and I couldn’t even scratch my head. I felt sickly sweet and fidgety. I idly positioned my head at the window view. The surface of road was bumpy and worse than jack fruit’s jacket!

Finally, the taxi cabs reached Guruvayoor, at the hotel ‘Thulasidalam’. I carefully took out my set of organs one-by-one from the damnedestly bundled cab and relaxed with a deep suck in air. Bride’s relatives were waiting for us. They wished us warmly with a cool smile and asked explanation for being oddly late. One of my uncles narrated about the issue had gone off.

Both the family met, held out hands, smiles emerged on every face and had casual introductory talks each other in the hotel lobby. It was already 10.30 p.m. So, we were given room keys and asked to get back for dinner as soon as possible before the restaurant to shut down.

There were around 30 rooms booked for the total strength of 80. My retired VIP uncles were provided a/c suit rooms. I checked into a non a/c room. It was a spacious room with 3 single beds, but cleanliness was not adequate. Bathroom was not so bracing but untidy and fetid.

There were two of my cousins and a retired school master uncle with me in that room. Vishnu and Adithyan, my cousins were in 6th and 3rd standard respectively. The uncle was a tranquil-faced man with a heartening character and tolerance. Obviously he was as simple as his job indicates!

We kept our loads in room and strolled over to the restaurant. Restaurant was looked gloom since they put off some lights, which signify the closing time. Guruvayoor is famous for tasty veg. meals. But, since the time was up, we could only have ghee roast and a simple tomatoo curry. I bought a pack or chocolate-flavored Britania biscuits and gave it to Visnhu and told him, "Don't eat now... Okay?". The entire family returned from the eatery after having ample. It was then I had purchased a few petty Chandrika soaps from a petty parasite shop closer to the restaurant.

We had finished the chocolate-flavored biscuits by the time we reach back at room on the 5th floor by stairs. The retired school master uncle and my junior cousins took bath first and they fell asleep.

It was THEN I entered bathroom, brushed my tooth, took a profuse shower and came out fresh with my constricted greenish-underwear in hand.

I set aside what I have in my hand right under the ceiling fan. I put on my night dress and arranged my personal amenities inside the bag. I took out the ironed-white-mund and golden-edged-shawl which got a few wrinkles from the compression inside the bag. I placed it on the table. I kept my cell phone for charging.

Then I called up Mani uncle and asked at a breath, “What’s the plan for tomorrow? By what time should I get up? When we are supposed to take bath and get ready for temple visit? And, what’s the marriage time?”

“Well, we have decided that we should get up by 5 a.m and should get ready by 5.45. Then the marriage will be held at sharp 6 a.m. Thereafter we will have an early break fast arranged at the same restaurant. So, we will get inside temple after the marriage and breakfast. We may have to be in the long queue at least for 2 hour it seems before we enter into temple! And, the marriage feast will be started by 10.30 a.m, its bit early intact. But…” He replied like reading a paragraph from a text book.

“So, lunch will finish up soon. Then what about our return? Where is our bus now?” I asked for clarification.

“Well, our bus is at a garage in Trissur now. It will be ready by.... by tomorrow. And, we will start back from here by 12.30 p.m. Any more query?” He asked with a sound yawn. We wished a ‘good night’ each other and hung up.

I sent a few texts to my 'Miss. Y' and at last looked at my today’s bed. The school master uncle had already occupied the bed right beneath the fan, the kids got shared the single bed next to it and I got the last bed which was 'miles away' from the windy zone. I sat on the bed. I sent my eyes across the white bed spread. There were some hair stripes and a few grime. After a persistent course of blow from deep within at the bed sheet, I smacked the aged bed several times. The dust evolved from bed like smoke! There were a number of black moles on the whitish surface too. But, I got to ignore it so badly. The school master uncle started rolling left and right on the bed from the noise-nuisance I generated. And, he warned me through a humble advice, “Look dear Ambi, its already getting 12, so sleep soon, okay?” I felt guilty in disturbing his slumber and I put off the light at once.

I lay on and thought about the great day in due. “It’s really going to be a memorable day. Having a chance to see Guruvayoorapan is not a minute deed! And, the famous wedding feast to come. My mouth is really going to have a graceful day.” Suddenly I got a message from Glindia. She is my sister’s classmate, the engineering student at a campus in Erode. Glindia turned out to be so a special person to me. Her ability in singing had awarded her many state level first places in youth festivels. She is also a deadly artist with pencil. Her emotional range, cerebral beauty and quality of behavior impressed me a lot. There will be very few friends for me like Glindia, who had inspired and influenced me to the amorphous states of hearty relationship! We have been core friends for a long time. In a tender moment, I had said her that, “Glindia… I am in devotion with you!”

We were known to each other through G-talk chatting. She knows about the nook and corner of my mind and vise versa. But, we haven’t met each other till now! Her native is in Trissur itself. Only a few km’s away from Guruvayoor! So, "why couldn’t I visit her home this time?"

I didn’t made a second thought on this. I decided to visit Glindia’s home and meet her, her sister Achoos, Dad and Mom. Life is so short, lots of things to be done before I finish! My deep adore toward Glindia, appeared like the green light in traffic junction, which strongly forced me to proceed. I decided to get up at 2 am! I set my alarm accordingly and fell aback.

The very next day came; my mobile alarm whimpered. I woke up even before the sun did. There was no lethargy in me as usual when I get up in a cool rainy morning. I was so energetic and passionate to visit temple, attend marriage and confront Glindia for the very first time. I was keyed up.

I prayed god, “I am so grateful to you my dear god for not letting me as a prey to mosquitoes and bed bugs”.

I got up hasty and used the dim flash light on my cell phone to find way to the wanted space and things; though the retired school master uncle got loads of advises in hand.

I smeared some coconut oil on my hair and caressed briskly. I opened the fresh pack of Chandrika and entered the bathroom. I brushed up my tooth with no tooth-paste, since I couldn’t search the paste-tube inside the retired school master uncle’s bag in his snooze! I formatted my stomach and then into bath. I was in a state of ice-cold. The water flew down from the tap-hole continuously and the bucket overflowed. I took a mug-full of water and tried to pore it over my head; tried over and over! But, the freezing breeze through the bathroom porthole made me hesitant to do so. I dropped the mug into the pail and instantly did 30 ‘push-ups’ at once. It provided the exact warmth to my body to combat against the frigid water drops.

After bath, I came out into the room and dressed up in utter darkness with proper grooming required to get into the temple. I was in a divine-mood and excitement of having an interview with Sree Guruvayoorapan. There was nothing else in my mind. My mind was right at the imaginary image of Sree Guruvayoorapan, the almighty. My mind went tender. I got ready faster and carried the cash required for the devotional offerings. Just for a minute, I put on the light and I had a final glance at me on the mirror and made sure that I look chic. I tied my wrist watch; but, I didn’t put on my footwear and kept my cell phone back in my bag, since the cell phone is banned around the god! Before I put off light, I woke up Vishnu cruelly from his deep snooze and told him, “Mone, I got to go temple right now, okay. I will come back before 5.45. And, you may just close and lock this door and resume sleeping… okay? And, put off the light without making any noise… You got it?” I directed.

He took time to realize 'what is going on around'. With extreme difficulty, he asked me to REPEAT. He was so obedient and loyal to me. He got up from bed with his tousled hair and withered sleepy eyes and followed me till the threshold. I closed the door slowly and stepped over to the magnetic field of devotion. There were no sounds except some devotional song from the temple-loud speaker. It was bit drizzly. I looked at the watch. It was only 2.25 a.m! I couldn’t believe that I woke up this early and took bath in this adverse climate! That too alone! It was nothing else but the mere pull toward the magnetic field by ‘him’. I was on the horizon of the ecstasy in meeting the god!

The temple’s main door will be opened by 3 a.m. Since it’s so early, the temple will never be over-crowded. I can straightaway go and come. But, I heard that none can visit the Guruvayoor temple without a rush! I tramped off with a bare foot and reached at the large front court of the temple. As I get closer to the temple, the noise increased and the people also tremendously increased in numbers. I further moved closer. I astounded at the scene I had in front! I anticipated an easy entry to the temple at this so-early time of the day, like a knife through butter. But, here the long queue had grew up dangerously and it's still mounting! I guessed the queue will be of around more than 1 km length! I joined the queue.

“We may be able to get in by 4. 30…” The co-queues suggested. I got to pass 2 hours in a standing position! I looked around. The main entrance arch is far long. There were different age grouped gents and ladies in the queue. Many newly married couples were seen often, who appealed as proud as peacocks. Many families including kids and aged, everyone’s face glow with a feel of devotion.

Most of the devotees looked so moneyed! Most of the girls walking with an enthralling rhythm and glee along with their rich dad were so pretty in semblance. Their perplexing complexion announced that they were born and brought up in an air conditioned house, school and car. The rich are getting more and more beautiful even though the age increases! The rich are living on the same earth where the poor live, but in an entirely different world! Can I be handsome if I become rich!? The scorching sun beam, humid hotness, dust and smoke precipitated by the rich, leakage caused to the ozone layer by the CFC’s omitted by the air-conditioners and refrigerators at the rich’s houses made the poor’s life so testing. Here comes the significance to become rich because it is money which separates humans from humans. Only great people can be happy without much of money and for the common people like me money is the one which makes the life easier and happier.

Every faces around me looked so kind, calm and composed. The physically disabled hobos were lavishly found on the ridges near to the walkway. They all were treated mercifully and gifted with more amounts of money by every devotee, though the god is nearer as a spectator to the act of great sacrifice! Even I too used to toss a coin into their fateful life. But, whenever I meet with these damaged products from god, I feel dismay on the creator who carved them disfigured and disgraced! But, it reminds me to count my blessings and stop complaining for what I haven’t been given!

The queue kept on increasing at the blink of an eye. I felt sleepy as the time passes in the static queue. The queue will start to move on only after a few minutes, till then I continued sending my glares at the beauty spots around me. Some of the teen girls looked at me as if they had seen me somewhere before! But, voyeurism was not a fair thing to be followed right in the middle of temple. So, I remained focused at the luminous devotional flame in me.

After a while, the main door opened and the queues started to move at least at a snail's pace. I positioned forward in the queues as time passes and the range of divinity increased miraculously as I got nearer to the temple. Lots of praying and chanting waves from thousands of throats, I also experienced the godly scent which originates from a mixture of camphor, sandal sticks and flowers. I have no words to explore the degree of satisfaction and elation I have acquired in that angelic atmosphere. By 4.35 I stepped into the heaven! And, returned by 5.40. The one hour I had inside.. let it remain as a private secret; my moments with my own creator! But, one thing is sure, that one hour had made a lot of positive changes in me, those 60 valuable minutes filled a lot of inexplicable radiations in me!

I got off the temple with a beautiful mind and walked back over to the Hotel. I reached the room. Everyone had finished their bath and had dressed up for the marriage function. I took a quick bath and stuffed my mund and shirt into my bag and took out the Jeans and fresh T shirt. I transformed myself from a traditional look into a snazzy look. I finished everything in 10 minutes and got out into the main lobby. Everyone was amazed at my solitary temple visit in the early morning. Vinu came down and appreciated me for my eccentric effort. I checked my cell phone’s sms inbox. And, I messaged Glindia, “Hi dear Gli... Just call me when you getup okay..? I’m in Guruvayoor now. I may come your home sometimes!”

We walked over to the temple. Everything was set ready for the marriage at the open shed erected for the auspicious ceremony on behalf of Guruvayoorapan. Everyone gathered around the wedding spot. The bride’s face glittered more than the golden knick-knacks did, which she had worn across. We witnessed the eye candy adjoining of two human lives. Krishnanunni weds Reshmi. Both of them started to blush after the 'welding' ceremony, the most important performance in their life. Digital camera carriers found infiltrating through the crowd to get a snap shot of the two awesome faces. I took a few snaps on my cell phone. The newly wedded couples got down from the flamboyant folly with joined hands. In a while, we moved toward the main entrance of the temple. I looked at the cell phone screen. The time was 6.20 am. I thought, it’s the time to call and confirm about Glindia’s home visit.

I moved aside and rang to her cell phone. It had a long ring, but remained unpicked! She might have been still on sleep, I guessed positively. I kept on ringing her, but still! I lost my patience and I dialed into her land line phone. It was a cantankerous gent’s voice on the other end. I asked for Glindia. He asked, “Who you are?”

“It’s me Ambi, Nisha’s brother… I am in Guruvayoor now. So… ” I tried to convince him. “Well, hold on… okay?” He went off and Glindia came on in a few seconds. “Hello, Ambutaa… What happened? Something special? Why an early call? Got nuts or what?” She sounded as if on a verge of slumber and wakefulness. She tried hard to control her yawning.

“Hello, Gli… Yea, something special is going to happen today.” I giggled and continued. “Now I am in Guruvayoor. So…Today you are going to have a tough day, an extremely intractable day intact.” I informed her about my wish. Suddenly she retained her vigor and turned wondrous. “Oh! That’s quiet amazing. It’s so, so special. By the way by what time you will be here? How long will you be here with us dear? What about lunch?” She asked me a lot of questions on my arrival and I fed her ear optimum. She repeatedly counseled me the route to her place.
I hung up after the chat and walked over to my Mani uncle to seek permission to get off for a while at the marriage function. I told him, “I got to visit my friend. She is around 20 km’s away from here. Place name is Kanhani. I will get back as soon as possible. Okay? Do you want to give me any dead lines?”

“Oh, well… You have a great time dear… But, be here before 10.35 am okay? And, take care…” He promoted my motive and I headed swiftly toward the bus station on foot. I searched for the place name on the name plates of buses which Glindia had taught me. By the help of some supportive strangers I was guided soon to the appropriate bus. I got in and sat in the bus which was almost empty. I looked at the clock affixed in the bus. It was 6.45 am. I looked around for someone who speaks. The bus started sharply at 7 o’clock. By the time I had been familiar to 3 gentle men in the bus. I insisted them to inform me when the bus reaches at my stop. I also emphasized the bus conductor that, “Do inform me at the stop, I am novice to this place.”

The bus was supposed to reach by my stop in 40 minutes. I began to message Glindia. But, she might be busy with arranging the house, dine and all, I guessed. Achoos, Glindia’s sister asked me through a message, “Ambieta, what about lunch?” And, I replied her, the final verdict from my Mani uncle.

The bus was at a poor velocity. So, it was so enriching experience for me, since I could enjoy the panoramic beauty of the village in detail. I saw a beautiful lake, saw plenty of water streams and green was the color which filled my eyes the most. It was a cool sunlit day. I was totally ignited in meeting one of my pearly friends. I looked at all the 3 familiar faces with a question mark in my frowned face and I sent my eyes quickly across the shop’s name boards when the bus had stopped at each junction, like an eager beaver.

My sister Nisha called me up unexpectedly. She was informed by Glindia about my unexpected visit. So, Nisha too had risen joyous at my move. Before she press the red button on her key pad, she insisted me, “Ambieta, please carry some dairy milk with you, okay? I always used to gift her chocolates whenever I visit her home often. So, do bag a few and distribute to everyone… Okay?” She said in precise. “Done dear…” I replied.

The bus reached at Nanhani, all 3 faces called up me. The bus conductor ordered me to get off soon. I thanked every familiar faces with a smiling nod and got down. Most of the shops were yet to be opened. I searched for a confectionary shop to bag some chocolates. I found one, paid and called up Glindia. It was her mom who had attended the call. She guided me the way to her home, word by word. But, I couldn’t make out ‘where is south and where is north?’! I quickly went to a rickshaw driver and handed the phone over to him. In a few seconds, he gave me the cell phone back and told, “No need of a rickshaw ride for this. You look at that garage. Can you see? Your friend’s house is just at the back of that building.” He pointed out an antiquated and greasy building and looked at me. I thanked him and walked in excitement toward the garage with a pack of chocolates in hand.

I passed the garage and stood still at the back yard. I looked around, there were a few houses. I strode off into one among the houses straightaway. There was a kind-eyed matriarch sitting on an armchair with the news paper. I entered to the courtyard and asked humbly, “Excuse me nanny, may I know… Which is Glindia Sudarsan’s house?”

She removed her spectacles, stood up and moved forward and asked me, “What?” I smiled and repeated the same sentence. Nanny answered me with a maternal smile, “Oh, Glindi… I am her grand mother. And, her house is situated after two houses to your left from here.” By the time, some lady and kid faces appeared to peep at me from inside the home. Nanny asked me about me and a few more questions. I answered her simultaneously dialing Glindia. Glindia told me, “Well, Achoos will come to you… Follow her dear…” I sat on the marble floor. Nanny welcomed me to get inside. But, I hesitated with a smile.

In a few seconds, a beguiling girl in a green traditional dress came over to the front yard and beamed with delight at me. I guessed it will be Achoos, the 10th standard sister of Glindia. I stood up into foot and exhibited my tooth with my mouth wide opened in a frenzied manner! I turned back my face at nanny, shook my head and walked with Achoos. I gave her the stuff in my hand. We dealt as if we had met so many times before. The quick amicability evolved between us was meritorious. She introduced the different houses seen around and mentioned about the neighbor hood specialties. She briefed out about the kith and kin’s houses, about the nearest river, about the school in which she had enrolled and about every P’s and Q’s.
I had chatted online with Achoos a number of times. She is the school leader and an upcoming poetess. But, I haven’t read any of her poems till now! I intended to savor her prose in poetry, and now I am going to fulfill all my petite dreams.

I haven’t seen Glindia’s face so far! So, the excitement of the first meet was at its zest in me. I had only a vague idea about Glindia’s appearance. We reached at the front yard of the house. A luminous girl was waiting at the entrance with a mind boggling smile.

I had heard Glindia’s voice on the phone before. And, now the sweet voice I had stored in my memory is getting a figure now, a beautiful shape! Glindia was not as taller as my sister Nisha. The most capturing organ in her was her eyes. It was the prettiest eye I had ever seen in my life. It was big and alluring!

At the moment I confronted with the glinting visage of Glindia, I felt like as if I am living in dream! It was after a long time a self satisfactory smile blossomed at my lips. I enjoyed my own smile and the state of bliss. I blindly felt like putting my arms around Glindia. But, I haven’t… reasons are many! I even couldn’t shake her hands at the meeting. But, her smile was straight into my ventricle.

She ushered me inside. “So… Gli… It’s your world… Eh?” I asked Glindia. It was a cute home. The interiors were appealing. I couldn’t find an unattractive place or thing at that home. Everything was neatly arranged by the two girls. I entered home and sat on the couch in the drawing room. Glindia too sat alongside. Achoos entered into the kitchen. For a while, we were just smiling at each other silently. We suffered for topics to talk. I couldn’t take off my eyes from Glindia’s eye-candy eyes. Those eyes entangled my mind as that of a psychiatrist! I observed the quick and childlike movements her eye balls made. Those balls were capable to carry and convey strong emotions right from her nerves!

“By the way, where is your Dad?” I asked Glindia. “Dad is on bathe', he will be right back…” She said.

Glindia’s mom came along and I humbly greeted her. She had divine and aristocratic appearance. The maternity was flowing down from her splendid face. Every forehead at home was applied with a sandal paste, which signified how devout they are. We started to chat profusely. Glindia briefed out about me to Mom.

It was 8 a.m. I may have to leave the home by 9.45 a.m. So, I will get only a few minutes here to mingle up with Glindia. So, I should capitalize this narrow time limit efficiently and effectively, I thought.

I started, where I had stopped at the G-talk chat hut. But, this time we spoke lively. Glindia asked me loads of questions. She asked me about my job, family’s wellness, Nisha and Asha, recent issues I had in my life and about the marriage trip to Guruvayoor. The moments intensively compressed with maximum number of sentences by both of us. Achoos too joined us to hear and share.

Mom suggested Glindia to take me around the house and to show off. I climbed up the stairs followed by the adoring sisters. They showed me their drowsy bed room, vigilant study room and amusing computer room. After introducing each of the rooms, Glindia and Achoos noticed my facet in urge of getting the response or comments.

“Don’t show me the bed room okay? I may fall asleep at the sight of a bed. I hardly slept last night you know?” I said abruptly. I overlooked into Glindia’s bed room through the door. In her bed room I found… a kind of… the smell of sleep!

Her computer room was rich in interior decoration. It looked like a room seen in Hollywood films. The selection of the floor tile and the arrangements of the furniture made me envious. I looked around; there were some books in the closet. There was, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I took a hold on it and had an impulse scan. I sprinkled my attention at all the interesting apparatus found in the room. I appreciated Glindia for the esthetic quality in ambience she brought about to the room.

Achoos opened the door to the balcony. It was a windy vantage point to the surroundings of the home. I looked down at the front yard of the house. Notwithstanding the lack of a garden in the space, it looked orderly. “We are planning to make a garden in next month. Now, just waiting for the rain to get over.” Achoos told me. Everything we see around the house turned out to be a topic to chatter. Achoos pointed out at an antediluvian building block nearby. And said, “Look at that, it was an L.P school once, where I had studied for 2 years. But, bow it has been closed for ever.” Achoos recalled her old memories about her schooling and friends.

We returned to the drawing room on ground floor and into dining room and the kitchen. Kitchen is the heart of a house, and this heart smelt so delicious to me. The kitchen was neatly maintained and had separate cabinets. Nothing will be wrong if we nomenclature it as a ‘modern kitchen’. Then, Glindia took me into the prayer room. Many gods and goddess were taking rest there. Every faces were familiar to me. I bowed at them all and returned to the couch in the drawing room.

By the time, Glindia’s Dad was back from the bath room and was on the couch. He was in a white shirt and mund. The house owner owned a polite, simple and homely character. The Dad asked me all the basics about me. We became closer so soon. I explained him that how my friendship with Glindia flourished this great. The Mom came out of Kitchen and invited us for the break fast. We stood up, went to the dining room and sat on the chairs in front of the dining table. I looked on to the dining table. There was not even a single bee.

I sat with the Dad. But, his break fast time was yet to meet. He also got to have an insulin injection. But, he green signaled his daughters to start on the supply. Puttu, steamed bananas and a glass of milk appeared in the front for me. I called for Glindia and Achoos to accompany me. They too sat along side with the same menu in respective plates. Glindia ordered me, “Ambutaa, see I have brought a glass of milk for you. I remember that you are fond of milk.” I laughingly gulped down the milk and it was as sweet as her words. I slowly noshed on the items on the table. But, I was not focused on eating, but I was still in a mysterious frame of mind in meeting Glindia and her kin! We sat in front of the dining table as if we are a family and love flown from persons to persons through words.

We finished dine and washed my hands and face. Glindia offered me a brand new turkey to wipe my hands and face. We rested back on couch in drawing room. I looked at the watch. It was 9.15 a.m. I began to get worry. I prayed god to stop every clock needles in India for a few hours. Mean while Glindia called up Nisha and served the issues she met with in last one hour. Nisha spoke for a while and retired.

“Achoos, where are your poems and essays? Bring it out, let me asses how talented you are.” I ordered her with an impish smile like her teacher. She went in and came out with a few note books. She flipped over the pages and showed me her works. I just went through her works. I told her, “I am not much into poetry; I don’t know how to taste any poems. But, yet I feel so nice while reading your lines. Your lines are so expressive. Now, you are only in 10th eh? So, there is a long way ahead for you. Read more and feed more to your brain, okay? My all prayers dear…” I continued reading her lines and her personal diary notes and smiled at her. She suddenly grabbed the book from me and ran away with a loud laugh.

Glindia was observing the mouse and cat chat between me and Achoos from aside. She propelled the conversation again. The Dad was sitting near to us and listening to our stories silently. The Mom brought a plate of neatly chiseled creamy white apples. I asked about Glindia’s college and hostel life. There were a few names I know, among her class mates. Neethu, Anuja, Dilna, Poornima, Jyothy, Ponnetan and all. Glindia narrated the interesting news from this circle of girls. She explained about the Onam festival to be held out in the next week at her campus and the song to be sung on the day by her. I thought of requesting her to sing a few lines for me. But, I didn’t… reasons are many!

I asked Glindia about Arathy, who was her senior. Arathy had been so closer to me for last a few weeks. My mind was literally sandwiched to her. I asked Glindia more and more about Arathy. Suddenly Glindia ran inside and came back with het laptop. She went out to the verandah and I followed her. Achoos too joined by. Glindia opened up her lappy and travelled from folders to folders. Glindia opened up the albums. She arranged the slide show. She became so conversant on every photo of her friends. I saw many photos of her classmates. I was charged up. I saw the cake-eating photos, picnic photos, freaky hostel photos and campus photos in detail.

I looked at the watch. The minute needle was dangerously moving forward. My mind darkened. I started to speak more and to listen more to Glindia’s and Achoos’s words simultaneously. We discussed about the future plans of Glindia, about her job opportunities, marriage expectations and a few more. The Mom came out and gave an ear to my words. I freely advised Achoos to study steadily and live actively. I again looked at my watch, it was 9.45 am. I stood up and told, “Time is up…” I walked inside. Glindia and Achoos followed me. I washed my face again and wiped off with the same turkey towel. Then, I looked at Glindia’s face in grief. Achoos asked me, “Dear, by the way… you want to go toilet?”

“Oh, it’s so nice that you remembered me about it. Well, I wish to.” The girls pointed me out to the toilet on the first floor. I went to toilet; it was a spacious and tidy chamber. I refreshed and came out. Achoos was shuffling some of her certificates in intention to show me. I just sent a glare at them, smiled and patted her in admiration without a word of mouth.

We came back to the drawing room. I turned silent. I couldn’t get any words out. My face crumpled. I stood still for a while idle. Then went to the Dad and mom and did seek their blessings. I spoke nothing. I communicated with silence. Then I turned my face to Glindia. Glindia already knows how touchy I am. She could measure my mind flow better than my Mom!

So… I am going to disperse them all. Glindia, Achoos, Dad and Mom. Everyone impressed me a lot in this short tenure. I don’t know when I can meet them all again in this life. I stepped down into the front yard and put on my sandals. I slightly broke down into… I couldn’t control myself. My mind was full. I beaded with sweat. My visionary organs discharged a few and then I looked at Glindia’s beautiful face again. I was unable to smile at her. Suddenly Achoos pointed me that, “Dear, what’s on your face? Hey, stop there…”

“It’s nothing dear, I just… I will go now… I will call you over the phone later, now can’t speak, sorry my dear…” I beetled off.

“Wait, wait… What is there on your cheek?” Glindia asked me. I lost the taste of my humid emotion and I got mad at her and said, “oh, idiot, its nothing but tear! Damn it…”

It was a loud laughter from Glindia. She said me, “Ha ha… Yea dear, I know about that… But, now we are saying about something else, I think some cotton threads or some dust have stuck up on your face…”

It made me smile and I sent my palms on the face. I found a few wastes as Glindia said. There

were a few cotton threads on my clothes as well. I looked once again at Achoos and finally at the eyes with magical power. I removed it hurriedly and then declared cheerio to the both cutie sisters. On the way I met one of Glindia’s cousins and had a frigid introductory session with him. I reached back at the bus station and boarded a bus back to Guruvayoor. I called up Glindia on phone in the bus and shared our absolute bliss and heartache. “Well, see you on G-talk dear… Byee” I hung up and sat in the bus idle. I looked at the watch, it was 10.10am. My Miss: Y got sad in getting no replies from me for a last couple of hours. She hadn’t been aware of the bittersweet I had!

I joined back at the marriage party in time, just before the wedding feast at the same restaurant to start. I straightaway went to Mani uncle. He told me, “What happened? Why your face look bit gloomy? And, did you meet your friend?”

Everyone at the function asked me the same kind of questions. They all wanted to know where I had vanished soon after the marriage function at 6 am. I repeatedly served the same answer with a lackluster. I was completely lost for the day. I went to have the famous Guruvayoor feast. I sat near to Vishnu and Adithyan. But, the Puttu and steamed bananas was still inside me. It resisted me from being having lot at the restaurant. I just tasted every dishes and winded up. I washed my hands and mouth and spent some time with the gathering. I talked, listened, observed and at last got back to the hotel room.

I packed my belongings. I made sure that I haven’t left something out in room. The retired school master-uncle and my cousin-kids had already evacuated the room. I got off the room and twisted the key in to its own hole on the door. Then, I knocked and entered the a/c room, which was opposite to my room. My VIP uncles were taking rest inside. “Hey, so… what about our bus? Now its 11.45 am. When the bus will be ready to carry us?” I asked them about our return. “I have just now called up the driver. He will be right back in a few hours. It may take 2 at the least. It will take some time to get the glass to mend up. You may take rest over here man… okay” The air force -uncle said and resumed his news paper read.

This was what I needed; a relaxing sleep in an a/c room, which may bring back my moods. I kept my cell phone for charging and went for a calm siesta.

At 2 .30 pm, I awoke from one of my uncle’s gentle kick. I quickly refreshed and walked down to the lobby. Entire wedding team was gathered there with photo and video shots. The fresh couples were twinkling like glow-worms. I too joined and showed my face. After a while, Mani uncle announced that the bus has arrived and to get into bus soon. We ran over to the bus with the luggage on shoulder though it was slightly raining. It was me who reached at the bus spot at first so that I can sit wherever I wish, as usual. But, the most heart breaking thing was, “the bus was opened; without the front windshield glass!”

I could see the driver with an extremely thwarted face. He looked as scary as the convict just to be hanged off. I thought its going to be a catastrophic trek! Everyone including the shining couples reached out in to bus. Everyone baffled at the filthy state of the bus. The luxurious ‘air-bus’ turned out to be an ‘open-air-bus’ now!

“How will he drive us around 400km’s on this crumbled road, that too in this heavy rain?” That was the question in everyone’s mind!

We started by 2.45 pm and reached at Kasaragod by 3.30 am! The bus journey I had was not at all an ordinary experience. The air-bus crept at a poor speed of around 35 - 40 km's. It was heavily rainy and frosty freezing! The driver was pathetic! He drove off the bus as wet as a bike rider. Everyone’s jaws found trembled from the rain attack and chillness; everyone swathed all the holes of their head with the clothes available. My jeans got completely wet. I couldn’t take out my cell phone in fright of water fall. Since, it was the holy Birthday of Sreenarayana Guru, no bars were opened. So, those who wished to be ‘hot’ turned pitifully despair! Everyone who had seen our bus, continuously sprinkled laughter at us; someone even captured this unnatural scene in their cell phones too. What a sweet cheery welcome the newly joined couples had! Many highway-police van followed us and had tough words with us, but my retired DYSP uncle proved that he is not a tiger made up of paper! I haven’t watched this kind of a realistic fun on any comic movies!

Then our marriage trip stopped at Kasargod. But, there was a reception party on the very next day. I met so many new beautiful people and met with so many beautiful incidents. Life overran with loads of mysteries in stock…!

' f O o T w O r L d '

‘Italians are the world champions of football’ became rubbish now. The Spanish men proved that they are not a group of pregnant ladies, but a group of bouncing soldiers. Paul, the star octopus proved that, 'no need of learning astrology to predict the future'. The cup rested in the safe hands of a goal keeper named Casillas, the skipper of the ‘bullish crew’. No girls could have ever got as much kisses as the golden cup did in the night of the final football world cup match. Andres Iniesta’s final goal was the 'goal' dreamt of by all football playing countries for the last four years. The festival of the world came into a halt after a glorious course of football feast. It’s the time for cheerio to the Jabulani and the Vuvuzale. The sun did set below the horizon of the 'rainbow nation' after a 'long' while of 'short' one month.

This final match gifted a sorrowful red card to the breath holding excitements and chaos in the minds of ball lovers. I put off the television and went to bed to put off myself. I was miserable of losing something! This wasn’t sad like when I heard, ‘please forget and forgive me dear’ from my girl friend. But, the sadness we feel in the last moments when a beautiful movie is getting to an end or when your dad is going back to work abroad after a vacation was of the same flavor. 

I was not 'born' with a ball entangled with my foot; but surely I was 'brought up' with one! My house was famous, because it was aside to a famous football ground. So, football wasn’t only a ‘time-pass’ for me. I love it even though it caused me a severe leg knee injury which seized years from my life! I had fallen down a number of times from my bed from the foully tackles committed by the defenders of the other team in dreams in nights!


My hobbies were reading, writing, watching Hollywood movies and loitering around my village with friends. But, for the last one month I lived ‘hobbyless’. I took day nap to preserve liveliness throughout the night of soccer explosions. I changed my dining schedules due to football. I avoided doing yoga. I ignored my dieting and physical maintenances. Dark circles set forth to appear under my eyes due to the lack of proper snooze.


My friends invite me to the local football club building to watch the matches in front of the giant screen. If there is no rain, I used to go to the club. It gives a feel of watching the match at stadium. Age was not a barrier in my place to go to club and watch match. There would be tight muzzled youngsters as well as skinny old men with soda spectacles in the front of the big screen to enjoy and cherish with the people with same spirit. Even those old too were well aware of each and every player’s name and club history!


Most of the guys at club were not only just football 'lovers', but each of them behaved like the ‘husband of football’! Crackers were used to use both at the victory of ‘our team’ and defeat of ‘their team’. Argentine fans treated the Brazilian fans like Pakistanis! They often fight with savage words and with arms and 'foot' at last. After every match we used to conduct a 'sound' midnight march to celebrate the victories of the favorite team. Many home makers complained that they continuously lose their slumber because of these ‘nonsense nuisances’! But, It is the magical power of football. Is there any other organization on this planet which integrates peoples with strong bond like FIFA does? Is there any? When the FIFA requested the world humanity to 'say no to Racism', it underlined that football is beyond every blockade.


If it rained heavily, I won't be into the club, but will lay on my couch and watch the match at my house. Chocolate, banana chips, fruits or bread toast and butter would be there to accompany with. I enjoyed the cheerful plays of Messi, Sneijder, Villa, Forlan, Lahm and Muller. I felt so sorry to the Germans for not being found with the golden cup for the last photo pose. And, I missed the great conjuror of football, Zinadine Zidane! The nights were brighter. I slept at late night till I become alone at home after the departure of my dad and mom to offices. I avoided having breakfasts and had 'brunches' instead.


I was/am a bachelor with no job. If some one asked me, “What are you doing now?”
Then, my reply was, “nothing… I just... I just finished my course and now simply sitting at home.” I was sitting, laying and sleeping at home.

“Why don’t you try for any jobs?” the second question comes like this.
And, my greatest excuse for this infuriating as well as ‘rubbish’ question was, “Sorry, I am just waiting to get over this football world cup. I will be into work soon after the final match.”

I think this answer will be the answer of many one who loves their home so much, more than going out and doing a job. So, the last refuge for my laziness was football world cup! But, my love is true.

Everything is over. No more bets, no more hot discussions on ‘today’s match’, no more money collection for the flex boards and crackers, no more half shaving of mustache or hair and no more...!

The Indians are 'light years' away from world cup finals. India may have abundance of resources. We may have many Ozils and Mullers. But, They play on muddy paddy field and remain unnoticed, unrecognized and unauthorized, like an artist with no paint, brush and paper in hand! The football development system in India is worthless and aimless! 

The pop singer Shakira made billions of dollars even if she doesn’t know the ABC’s of football. But, her song had been a waving energy across the world population. Shakira-effect also attracted plenty of music lovers and ladies to the world of football.

The World cup is in bed now in Madrid, lying down with the Euro cup. "Let’s wish them 'sweet dreams' and flip the next page of our life… Lets see and savor whether it will be boring or interesting…"

"Hiii Byeee"

You may have got numerous friends to amuse you. But, do you truly love any one of them as much as (or at least about nearly) you love your dad, mom, sis or bro? Are you sure about any of your friends that you will be with him/her till any one of your deaths? I do not use a relation-reminder like ‘keep in touch’, when I write a mail to my brother, Avani. But, when I write to the majority of my friends, I do so usually; exceptions are not even a handful! ‘Keep in touch’ shows a nebulous fright of losing them.

I am posting this module for all the soft-hearted friends, who feel like pathetically losing their dearest friends because of ‘no reasons’! One of my fellow mates, Mr. Colby expressed his deep grief through his words. Let’s listen to him.

”I don’t know, what happened to him, nowadays he is not that close to me as before! There was a time, in which ‘we had only us’ both to cheer up and to tear down’! Now also, I have only him as my soul mate. But, he seems to be forgotten the sugary past. We had a core friendship history of consecutive 8 fruitful years. Many outsiders came to us and gone from us throughout life without harming our relation and love till now. He used to call me over the phone, even if there is no special reason or matter to convey! But, now he rarely even picks my call! He always seems to be busy with other activities and partners! I am getting only his group forward sms’s! He may think Tintumon and Sardarji will rejuvenate the relations!”

“I had been to his esteemed house so many times before. The heartening hospitality and care his mom, dad and sis had gifted me was a matter of ecstasy. But, now he is keen in keeping a decisive distance between his family and me. I am not allowed to call into his land line phone. I am not allowed to inquire about his family members. I am not supposed to invite him for my family functions! He says ‘why should we/ I disturb our/ my family for our/ my sake?’...”

“I can feel the rise in my heart beats when I dial to his cell phone now! ‘Will he be free now to talk to me? Will he be engaged with some other important things? Will his mood be calm enough to speak to me?’ Such cumbersome of ambiguities getting on my nerve nowadays! ‘You understand this is badly happening when I wanted to hear not my nutty professor, not the bad tempered boss who assigns me weekly targets, but my dearest friend!’…”

“He doesn’t want me to meet him so often, but once or twice per annum, or else the repetition will spoil the glee of such confrontations it seems! I don’t know to whom I should share my worries about my ‘other side of me-person’! I know I cannot grumble to anyone about this. I know I cannot afford to induce him through any arbitrator. But, yet…I just can’t bear..!”

After hearing this unfortunate happenstance, I too started to think about our most ‘weak’ societal tie called as ‘friendship’ with a wailing psyche. Thus, I badly forced myself to opine that ‘Blood relations are blood relations; non-blood relations are non-blood relations’. There is a perceptible gap among these two modes of relations. A mom can insist her son ‘to be with her’ always. At least, she can rebuke her lad for not keeping a persistent visit to her. But, a friend cannot do what the mom can! A friend can only anticipate his companion to be with him. He cannot badger to prosper the relation. He cannot expect any obligation, commitment or genuine care badly! No mom can drop her son forever for making a mistake. But, we often witness core friends getting dispersed from petite disputes, chasms or mismatches in perception! What an unsatisfied friend can do to get back his cheerful intimate friend is, just wait in a corner silently to come his friend to him, nothing else is likely to be worked out!

‘Friendship’ is a feeble relation! You may read this with a frowned face. But, this world is too outrageous in case of friendship maintenance. Meeting a person, making him as a friend, maintaining the ship and leisurely, after being fed up, the termination for the sake of getting place for a new attractive friend! ‘Time’ is a dangerous poison, which harms most of the friend relations. ‘Entry of new friends’ (who may be better and worthier than the last one!) will also happen to bury the old mates ‘in many cases’.

But, there are a few soft hearted guys. Their friendship zone is like a filled glass of water. It cannot be filled with more water, without poring out the existing drops! They are helpless. Such guys are always meant to suffer from the ignorance from their core friends, like the state Mr. Colby undergoes. His love and dependency towards his intimate friend was bottomless and sincere. He was merely addicted to his beloved one. But, let’s cruelly hope that ‘Mr. Colby will empty the glass to conserve fresh drops’!

True friendships can neither be destroyed nor be created! But, it should be formed gradually. A person can make N number of friends. But, can make only a few soul mates. They are like the most glorious pearls among the rest. Most of the friends do not like to keep commitments to each other. Only a few friends are ready to be ‘a friend in need’! Ancient friends used to write with feather and ink, to cover the longest yard. No telephone facility, no web links, but only a silent and stern mutual belief! But, now we live in a networking-society. There are so many easy online ways to increase the number of friends. Some friendship will long 1 month. Some will long 6 months. Some will be capable of being long for 1 year. Then, with great piece of ego, chocolate friends found to wave a ‘bye’! How arrogant the guys! World’s face is getting so despicable nowadays. Values are vanishing from everyone. This materialistic system of present friendship mechanism is growing more fake and fragile. What we can do is, only to wish ourselves to keep our friend’s love towards us, uniform and galloping as time passes.

Once I heard an interesting reveal from one of my yoga batch mate, who was a lonely military man in Border Security Force for a pack of years. He told me, “My ever best friend was/is the God. Don’t be exaggerated at this. I am truly speaking. I had not even a pet cat to accompany with during my hectic past. I have had no phone calls, no sms’s, no mails and no scraps from or to my dearest friend till now. But, we keep in touch always… I felt him. I feel him eternally!”

"The dressed Mankind"

Humans are not animals, are they? Rather we say, human is the noblest of all animals. Do you think animals have not all the emotions that a human has? We can easily list down the focal distinctions between the two. Let us start thinking on this right from the cape of creation, i.e. straight from the vagina, both of human and animal-lady'. Infants at either side are being born with same sum of etiquettes and decorum in the bare hand. But, as day passes, the animosity in the animal kid begins to explore. Likewise, human kid is cleverly taught to hide the natural motion of mind as per the mist called culture, in which the entire humanity is been overwhelmed. The fast and better a human kid becomes skilled at hiding hisself, the fast and better he becomes the owner of a pertinent personality. Whereas, what happens in case of the outcaste-animal-kid? What all are the lessons, which human parents teach their kid, which the animal parents does not? This question can be easily labelled as preposterous. But, let's go behind the 'absurd's, rather than reasonable questions, being human beings!

Inheritance and heritage are one of the brawny aspects which make a human kid a complete human. There are more windows in human society to mingle up with, barriers too. Whereas among animals, no religions, no castes, no designations (there may be protocols I guess, at least among honey bees), no richness or poorness and no costumes! It is going to be a new study stream, if we begin to scrutinize the dissimilarities between ‘us and them/those’. The animals are the lovely co-livers of us on this earth under a common roof of O3, whose life style and mannerisms remain unnoticed! 

Animal kid lives naked. We address not the animals as ‘he’ or ‘she’, but as ‘it’, since humanity is not allowed to give respect to the dress less animals! The clever mankind made their co-livers slaves.

‘It’ faces life without any dress on the body to cover even its basic secrecy. For them, naked is the best disguise! The degree of voyeurism emerge in animals, would be surely either far up or down from ours. It sees its mom, dad, wife, husband, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, boy friend and girl friend and all the kith and kin with 100%freedom! Animal couples wear no dress, no matter whether they are in bed or at a public function. But, I am dubious about the stabilty and reliability of the social and blood bonds among animals. Animals aren't so social. Have you heard the heart breaking story of a 'human' king named Oedipus? Oedipus's ignorance about the identity of his true parents destined him to couple with his mother! So, among animals, we cant assume that, they use seperate private bowls to slurp the 'broth of desire'.

Apart from animals, human’s culture is poles apart, both in 'light and in dark'. Our extreme ancestors used to live the same how the animals do now! What could have been his/her first problem of having no dress? We should go back to Charles Darwin’s Evolution theorem, to trace out when the human does exactly started covering themself. Or else, if we have to recall and bottom line the moment at which we first recognized the requirement of cloth, from our childhood! The sourness of ‘shame’! Humans are not so generous to others. They need to preserve their confidentiality and it becomes a valuable facet of civilization. So, we hide it; we wrap ourself safely from the strange and familiar eyes around us. Dressing is the basic sign of culture. We gave dresses to our God as well. Moreover, dressing mode became a trait of kudos among us.

Beautiful humans, who are cleverly half naked, are said to be stylish and glamorousin the society. Such clothing are like a barbed-wire fence; serving its purpose without obstructing the view, as we heard. The importance, our society give to the dressing manner can be derived from the terms like Nail polishes, tattoos, body piercing arts, hair colors, colorful make up dusts, flavored deodorants, lip sticks, jewels (from TOP to BOTTOM) and so on!

Dressing is done here to please others! The materialism is dangerously ruling the modern world. The main objectives of the dressing system are no where now. The 'haves' want to hang about far away from the have-nots. So, the Brandism is being pampered by the group of ‘looks-concerned’. Nowadays, whatever seen adjacent to one becomes the part of his/her fashion. The belongings right from goggle, umbrella, purse, cell phone, laptop, stick to vehicle and house. I don’t know whether friends and relatives who are seen with us matter one’s fashion dignity. The wife, who persuades the husband to dye hair, might think that the dyed hair of her husband will smear color to her own personality and style!

I heard of some enlightened saints, who are born and brought up as human kids, but now live without any dress! For them, the sky is the dress; the NEWS(North, East, West and South) is the dress! A saint is someone, who practiced to conquer or over cross their feeble feelings and emotions. In general all humans are with a cumbersome of emotions, both of joy and sadness. The concept of spirituality lies between a saint and the common human. One who seems to know about him is the one who is considered as to be a saint. If you won in knowing about yourself, then you are half won the life warfare. Saints and the animals are at two poles of self recognition.

There are some tribes in the darks of African continent, who live around naked in daylight also! The apocalypto! Demosthenes is someone who had thrown his dresses away, and lived his rest of the life like a dog at the river bank! This Greek is distinguished world over as a great philosopher, who defined the unusual dimensions of usual things. But, if I/you want to throw my/your dresses away, I/you have to make myself/yourself crystal clear that, there is no need of dressings for me/you. Like the great man did!

In the world of no dress, it will be a tougher task for the animal to seduce its pair. Reasons are many. In case of humanity, it is rather easy to seduce. Examples are many. For humans, attraction always hidden in veiled areas. So, their treasure is at an easier distance. Whereas, among animals, the attraction is something like freshly ripen fruits or the shining sun. Is always seen and felt around them around the clock of no tax. Tajmahal is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. But, for a photographer, who takes snaps of that building for years for tourists, the Tajmahal might not be an eye-catching thing. Here comes the importance of dressing. So, the things, which are needed to be covered, should be covered to keep it livingly striking. But, as Jane Austen, the English romantic novelist opined, ‘Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim’!

There is nothing much to thrash out about the ‘dressnes and dresslessness’. But, we can imagine a lot, about its appealing dimensions. Human's gaze into the dressed opposite sex, to discover the hidden 'pleasure spots', has been agreed world wide as a 'basic human instinct'. Anyways, let us enjoy the life even though with the individual forbiddance(with respect to animals), but the 'social safety' called 'dressing'! Animals do not smile. But, humans do. So have a naked smile at least, in this world of 'the dressed mankind'.

What to write...?

‘How to write effectively’? I know that it’s an effortless question. We can gather up a lot of answers to this query. Even I am also thinking the right answer right now. Because, I badly needed to tune my time effectively. I am being put in bed now, after a cruciate ligament surgery! It was a pitiable football injury which made me to think of ‘how to write effectively?’ But, are there any other activities which I can go for? My sister Asha told me “Obviously there are, Ambyetaa... Watch Hollywood movies on your loaded lappy. Or, be a voracious worm on any blissful books” It was so easy for Asha to offer options like this. But, along with my health state, my mental state was also chaotic! Because, I was a speedy, energetic and smart ‘complan boy’, who runs, jumps and rolls over all over the country! 

So, this 2 week bed-rest was like beyond my tolerance limit. There was no pain on my knee, since the surgery went successful. But, my dynamism got shrink from this disability. I had to use damn crutches even to go lavatory :( I was merely undergoing a sort of suffocation, irritation and utter blankness!

So, I thought of proposing ideas into articles, keeping an optimistic anticipation in mind, that writing will help me out to regain my mental peace during this toughest tenure of my 'so far life'. But, seriously I don’t know that ‘how to capture public attention to my articles in this busy, moreover lazy world’! I asked to my friend Dhanesh Poduval, the same question. He opined “When you write, don’t hide anything. Don’t be frightened of anyone or anything. Bring everything out of your mind without censoring or filtering’’ Poduval was right. When we write, we should be least bothered or no longer bothered about those who read it. Need to assume that, we are going to delete the document completely. So, the genuineness will flow effortlessly. But, what should be the topic? How to start? How to find a sexy thread? These funny queries started pondering out in me. 

And, I thought about the length of the passage to be made. I am a 'Malayalam medium product'. So, for me, writing an article in English is like 'sending fish for space research'! Because, my vocabulary is awfully puny. And, when i think about grammar and spelling i can still sense the tenderness of Kunhiraman sir's 'cane stick wound' at the back of my left thigh :) Oops! So, I can’t even think of a passage beyond 2 - 3 pages. I silently, but enviously admired Sidney Sheldon, who had been a 'dad' to more than 20 novels with pages ranging on an average of 400 respectively! So, :) I really better go and munch peanuts to kill my time, rather than thinking about making an article! But, Once upon a time even ‘he’ was also a debut in the field of writing, I self consoled :)

“If you read any honored books, then you can feed well the starving writer in you. It will help you out to collect plenty of raw materials to manufacture an article of your own”. It was my friend Bhavya Mohan’s dominant answer. It was really sound. She ushered me to her blog, wherein she made her own world out of flavored language. But, the intensifying gloom in which I was put in, made me reluctant to obey Bhavya. No mood to read. Moreover, no mood to EAT my mom’s hand-made cuisines too! I was in such an excruciating boredom.

Well, no scarcity for inspiration for me from my lovable friends. But, still I was dubious about the minimum expected quality to be maintained to my new born essay! Anyway in case if I mould an article, i am surely going to expose it before my lecturers, friends, relatives and any magazines if possible. He he.. So, I should be so careful in preparing the same. Or else, all these will start blaming me or at the most, they will persuade my dad to pack me to a mental hospital!

I thought of writing about 'my love towards football' and the result I got out of it, i.e. a 2 year long full fledged injury series. That brought tons of evils into my sweet life! One more thing, if I focus on my ‘pathetic self story’, which will sprinkle sentimental powder on all. And, it will easily grab the reader’s market. But, attaining an emotional edge through portraying the dark episodes of the life is an antiquated and cheap technique used by the quixotic writers with narrow imagination! I am not that cheap. And I do have talent, creativity and imagination. I mean, I hope so :)

'What if i put down some real life situations from my own life?', i thought for a while. But, who will be interested to peep into my boring life?! I badly realized the fact :( Gradually, I turned disappoint for not being found with a topic to go on. I decided to sleep during day time. That I don’t do usually. I had had no practice of sleeping in day time. But, I heard from Arathy that, if you sleep in day time you will happen to meet with uncanny nightmares! Sorry, ‘day-mares’! :) So, I spent hours and hours at sleeping soon after my lunch to get an apt sperm required to deliver my article.

It was an amazing experience. Sleep in day time was worthwhile for me as a good pass of time. But, I haven’t met with any dreams! So, my plan of preparing an article remained as a dream! My mind was in 'tabula rasa' still! I cursed Arathy for her feeble advice. Damn it! I shared my worries with my mate Anoop. He consoled me “It is so easy to prepare an article. Log on to www.google.com, and enter your topic. Within no time your article will be ready there. The only effort needed is, you have to copy-paste the contents onto your blog”! He might think that, I am writing articles to impress people and to build an image before them. And, he failed to recognize that, what I wanted was self actualization and relief. I befell so poignant. 

Finally i decided to consult with my best friend Arsha. I know that it will be my final step. And, either i will happen to launch my article or i will eternally bring my plan of sentence creation to a halt after hearing Arsha. She's not only my friend. She is like my 'guru'. Because, she made me to purchase '5.someone' through a strong brain waving tablet, before 1 year. That was the first English novel i read. Cheers to anju :) So, i submitted my spiralled worries on behalf of Arsha. And, her answer was not that interesting. She blindly told me 'Ohh! Amby.. So you are gonna write article! huh? Dont make me and the society laugh at you.. okay?' I blanched! I wondered with excitement, 'how come this bloody friend knows that i can't write well?!' I blatantly grinned at myself with a bitter disenchantment .. :(


I asked god, ‘when I can publish my own article?’ And god replied that …… :)

“@ Last I met Amby...”

This is an episode or incident report from my own daily life. But, What's extraordinary about this? Here it is, I am writing this one as if I am Siju - the gentle figure shown in the picture below! He is my soul mate! This 'gulfer' met me during his holidays in Kerala. And, we spent a night at his home. Its a simple review of the same. So, I prepared this through Siju's view. One more thing to say. I wrote this one, only for my friends Siju, Nighilesh (Nigu) and Anoop (My core friends, who overwhelmed me with uppermost love and care during my degree life in Mangalore and lived in a hostel room for 3 consecutive years). Because, I hope none else can TASTE this passage in its complete vigor, since you all are ignorant about the chemistry between 'I and Siju'! So, don't curse me if you didn't UNDERSTAND this, after reading.. okay? :) Also, you might feel as if I have started this passage from 'no-where' and have ended at 'no-where'! Well.. :)

 “@ Last I met Amby... - Siju”

I saved around 79 dirhams (i.e. around Rs.1000!), by letting Amby (Ambareesh YMC) not with me to Trivandrum. I think I managed it cleverly, when he asked me “Da, Polayaa (my holy nick name.. :( ..)... shall I come with you to Trivandrum?” And I replied, “Oh, No Bro, actually one of my relative is already escorting me to Trivandrum, so better let's meet up later”. Moreover I thought it will be a 'just for joke-deal' for Amby, if I let him know that “I am carrying ‘gulf-gold’ to Trivandrum to hand it over to one of my colleague's father”! “Who will request a perfect and professional robber to assist, especially when carrying a confidential golden bunch!?”

So, somehow I managed to block Amby in assisting me. Silly Amby, moron.. :) He doesn't even know about that! But, I want to meet him as soon as possible. Because, I know that he always has an exclusive offer of Love towards me. And, I too draw same or much more amount of love toward him.

It was a sunny Saturday noon. I was on my way back from Trivandrum to Pazhayangadi by train. I haven’t had lunch even though i was ravenous. Because, it is so expensive it seems, to have a lavish dish named Biryani from the train catering team. 'Cheap in quality (and quantity) and best at price'! So, with a belly full of gas I was simply searching for 'cute lips' among the fleshy co-travelers in my boggy. But, I hardly found any. Arabi-ladies are far better than Malayali ladies - I bottom lined. The 'fairness' which Arabi-ladies have on their palms and face cannot be found even at the most hidden regions of Malayali-ladies! The unfair natural justice - yuck! 

I was so tired from journey, and I thought of having a calm sleep at home tonight on my snug bed, without any disturbances. Because of my fatigue I was merely about to befall sick. That much tired from this arduous journey.

Suddenly my cell rang. it's Amby. He said me “Da, let's come to the point! I’m coming your home today with Anoop for an overnight stay to rockkk! but, don’t arrange a well equipped non-veg. dine for us”! And he giggled innocently. Ohh.. No.. my Gosh! I really shivered of tension and nervousness; I became feverish and edgy with a profuse perspiration. Because, I know that Amby will come surely and he will convert my tranquil and systematized home into a battle field and thereafter into a cattle shed! 

Because, Still I remember a critical Amby-incident. That is, he don’t even throw away the chicken leg piece's 'bone'! He will lick and suck the entire 'brownish' asset inside the bone, which is even kept out of Nigu’s plate. It will go straight into his holy mouth! Kidneys and livers too salivate him the more. These all are his 'Jeevan tones'; i still remember his shameless public claim! He is also an eminent "fish head sucker". Such a “Bhooloka thara”! BUT, I just love him beyond limits; history was woven in such a way which do not require any up-gradation on regular intervals! I like him as a whole. He always keeps us happy through his course of fun. What's great about him is, he sacrifices his self esteem, pride and personality to let OUR face turn cheery through sprinkling loads of dusty idiocies.. :)

The 'Lokamanyan'(Amby) is coming from Kasaragod to Pazhayangadi station. So, he might have started from his home. Time is going so quietly. He kept on calling me. Even my Chechi's also coming by the same train, but I didn't tell Amby. Let him meet Chechi later. I called my home and told my dad to "get some 3 .. no no 4.. no no no 3 is enough.. or els 4 kgs of chicken", both for Anoop and Amby. Amby may need further more! And, I persuaded my amma to prepare tasty stuffs, rather than usual 'local' cooking module (Kanji, burnt Pappadam, green moong and coconut Chammandy)! And, I called my chechi to keep home tidy, which Amby will observe surely. And, I also requested chechi to keep all my 'gulf luxury items' inside a bag and hide it from the ‘public area’ of Amby’s 'expected bed room'. But, by hearing this, chechi screamed “Go away foooool, what kinda friend you are!?” I hung up the call with a piece of anger and whispered myself “That is the type of bond between i and Amby! Having no formalities and full of jokes, like 'Mukesh N Mohanlal' in 'Boeing Boeing', an old priyadarsan-movie.” And I laughed without noise. All others sitting near to me were observing my frantic laugh! Opps.. :)

After a short while, as I expected, I got call from Amby. He reached at Pazhayangadi station it seems. But, my train was creeping :( And therefore, I made him wait there for consecutive 3 hours. But, he will wait for me I know even for 2 days without any solid or liquid! I know he loves me that much. "That is the chemistry between i and Amby." I am so happy to repeat these last sentences. So i do.. :)

Then, I called Anoop. But, he told "Da, i may not come"! I thought about the 'lost kgs of chicken' for which my dad already ordered and paid! What a heck! But, I thought it is okay, and tolerable for a 'gulf born baby' like me. And I relaxed. But, it will be extremely tough deed for me to handle Amby in absence of Anoop. It is going to be so catastrophic at my home tonight I assumed.

Well, Anoop reminded me “Da polayaa..(Huh, indeed i am a 'nair-groom'), see whether Amby weeps out or not at the moment you guys confront, its been after 1 year.. eh? :) He usually breaks into tear when he meets Nigu! hehe..” Well, that sounds pretty interesting :) So, actually I wanted to witness that interesting scene. So, I curiously waited for that moment without patience.

At last that crucial time beckoned me. The train reached pazhayangadi station. I got down. Amby will definitely ask about my co-traveler(my relative). So, I prepared myself to combat with Amby through a concrete-lie though i lied already earlier. But, he is not that easily-fooled guy I know.

I landed the platform. I started searching Amby’s reddish face. I expected Amby in ‘mund and shirt’. But!!! He looked so awesome in his pretty modern apparels! He wore a red T-shirt and a cargos pant. He looked luxurious too. At last our eyes met each other. He rushed towards me and embraced firmly. He grunted, “Ende Polayaa..” That was heartening. And I looked onto Amby’s face. Anoop was right! Amby’s eyes turned watery and bloodshot! I was unable to detect whether Amby is crying or smiling! Even I was also about to lose my control by meeting my most sincere friend, who lived with me for 3 fruitful years together in a hostel room. After a long time I had a really worthy moment in my life now. I felt. So, now I am with my dearest friend. I felt extremely proud to be having this sort of thorough friendship with this fool. My sweet rascal!

We started having some funny 'boyish-talks' each other. He asked me, “where is your relative, who assisted you to Trivandrum?” And I replied only through a feeble ashamed smile. Amby understood the fact :( But, both of us enjoyed that fun. And, had a lolz :)

As I expected, he started commenting at my new and 'made in gulf build'. In his opinion, "I turned 'piggy-fat' and attained a good color, texture n smell!" We board an auto-rickshaw and reached new-bus stand, Pazhayangadi. I started showing my ability to squander. I treated him heavenly with fruit shake and hot peanuts! I fed his tummy chock-full with a BIG mug of mango shake for the time being(it will reduce his in-take at my home gradually! I applied my wisdom and thinking power). :) But, Amby was extra conscious to be in hunger n being unquenched, only by having less at the restaurant.

I evoked my olden hostel days now, whereas I used to spend Rs.60 to freak out and enjoy for a week! Either 1 plate of half Chinese noodles (with more watery sauce) OR a Lassi/day! I thanked god for leading me to this 'royal position'. I was a miser. Still I am so, but a sophisticated miser! I perplexed Amby with my money power. I think, he too enjoyed my well being of financial stability. We packed some fruits and cakes to home.

Amby changed a lot in his appearance I felt. He has gone modern. His complexion has been tremendously improved. His muscles also grew better. And, about his character, I would say, he acquired a positive change. He looked so gentle and smart. But, he tried himself well to keep his old 'standard of being with me'. I felt like, Amby will be same in front of me although after N number of years gone. That is Amby, my own Amby!

So, We did board a rick again and reached Neruvambram, 'my world-famous home town'.. :) I took him to my home for the first time since our friendship of lengthy 5 years. Yes, our friendship is like wine, which will 'decay' tastier year by year!

We got in to house. I introduced my dad, mom n sister to Amby. “Achaa, meet my EVER BEST FRIEND, Amby”.. That was my dialogue. That is the fact I know. But, I added a bit of exaggeration too. I think it might have created a great pleasure in Amby. And, soon I ran into my bed room, and kept all my precious gulf items inside my cupboard and locked. Or else Amby will bag them all, even without letting me known. He is good at stealing things from his dearest friends! I am really telling, he is a talented, gifted and artistic thief!

After my introductory session on behalf of my family, Amby started explaining the 'main points of our friendship' as I expected. He tried to exhibit his knowledge and his personality. He is basically from Karnataka-Kasaragod border; he speaks dirty cross sexual language there. But, now I wondered how well he speaks in front of my family in descriptive Malayalam accent! In between I entered my kitchen, and assured that amma is well done at work. Thank god! Then, Amma sent him to bathroom. Then, Achan told me “See Siju, you should learn a lot from him. How well he speaks. And he looks so matured in nature too, whereas you..!” :(

I assisted him to the bathroom. He showed his muscles. I looked at his chest. Its condition was rather worst! (There is an old story behind this; that I will tell you later). But, I appreciated about his built with an inner smile. 

Soon he became so amicable with all. My sister got a new younger brother I felt. I too took bath soon. Amby took out some of his library books from his bag. I think he purposefully kept it on the table to show my family that he is a voracious reader as well as an intellectual scholar! What a cheap shining! Is it? x-(

Then Chechi showed her wedding engagement albums and her most expensive sari she ever had in her life, i.e. the bridal saree worth of Rs.9000! Amby commented "Chechiii, your sense of purchase is quiet appreciable. I will call up you to select bridal saree for my fiance' okay?" And, my silly Chechi who is fool at heart believed it!

Then, Amma called us for dine. Amby stormed and occupied a comfortable seat to eat well. Actually he sat first and he called me. That too from my home! That’s Amby. Amma served rice and sambar. Amby was expecting something more I felt. I found some sign of ‘chicken-disappointment’ on his face. But, chechi served 'his' dream butter-chicken dish as much as he needed. That is why his face turned colorful. While eating, his saliva drops splashed into my nose! He was that much crazy after the 'Chicken-dead body'. At last he showed his gratitude to my amma by telling “Amme, this chicken is as same as my Amma’s chicken curry!” I knew that it is a part of his usual 'host-appraisal dialogues'. But, he may be right, I don’t know. You better ask Amby okay?

Then, after dinner, we kept 2 chairs at the front yard. And, we recalled our sweet thoughts. Chechi brought a plate of orange. We enjoyed it after a heavy dinner. Amby told Chechi that “Orange is better for digestion” And, he crammed orange pieces to his own bloody mouth spitting seeds in all directions around.

We discussed many things. Shared bulks of thoughts. We went across our entire hostel life in half an hour at a stretch. So, at the peak of our friendship spirit, we called Nigu, who is in gulf now. But, we spoke to him only for a while. His sound refreshed us. It made our adjoining more sweet. We really missed him. We called Anoop as well. I dreamed of a day on which I and Amby join Anoop and Nigu. A dream day. “God, when shall we have that heaven again?”

When mosquitoes started joining us in spite of Nigu and Anoop, we entered inside. Chechi distributed some gulf chocolates to both of us. And she told to Amby “No one is in here to finish up these chocolates!” I stared at chechi furiously and told her to SHUT UP, through action. I whispered myself “This Amby will finish the entire chocolate packets within no time chechi...”! Chechi made bed for us. And, Amby reminded about the “Bed-making” process in Hotel management course that we had studied. Chechi also contributed “Bed-making” she learned in Nursing department. Afterwards dad, mom and chechi “good nighted” and then I laid near to Amby, as we had laid before 3 years! Our dream night is on! We weren't drowsy. We sung “vellara poomala mele...” And, had a rare and amazing session. We chatted till late night and then fall into sleep.

Then, after a sweet sleep, I awoke from a beat of my chechi. Then after a bed-milk(Amby won’t have tea or coffee, that i remember still) , we brushed tooth. I showed Amby around the house. We had more and even more fun. Then we took a fresh morning bath. Amma prepared a delicious Break fast. Amby also pleased to taste last night’s Butter-chicken once more. Then, I started getting many phone calls from my relatives. And, I forced to go for marriage invitation(Marreage is in next week; my chechy will be wearing that wedding saree):). I thought “what will I do with this Amby? Will he go back to his home now or will he wait me till I come back?” I was in a dilemma. But, when I called Amby from Bahrain, he shown me an interest that he wish to assist me in marriage inviting process. Because, my chechi may be like his own chechi, for him. Yea, that is true. But, if I take him now with me for inviting process, then he may get bored easilly. And, If he come then I cant use two wheeler of my ‘Ranjithetan’(my uncle’s son).

But, Amby rushed towards me and he himself got ready to come with me. So, we dressed up well. Amby asked for perfume to get flavored. I sprayed him quiet enough. I was scared whether Amby will ask for some bottles of perfume for him to carry back his home. But, I don’t know why he didn’t ask! “HHo Amby matured; I would say”!

So, we met my Ranjithetan and started 'the work' by 10.00 am itself. It was a Wagon R car. Amby told that “I had a superb picnic” I liked his indigent comment anyway. We were treated well by our relatives from various houses. We got water, tea, Squash and even ice creams from plenty of houses. We 3 had a nice day. Amby commented at Ranjithetan “an amazing person”. And, even I too enjoyed a lot having a nice day with my Amby. Afterwards Ranjithetan went for some other official needs. I asked Amby about his opinion of having a lunch from any hotel. But, he wanted to have the same from my home. He says from my amma’s holy hand. I felt like hugging my Amby! So, we came back home by bus. Amby met his cousin on the way, as an accident. Also, with an empty stomach we had tons of fun..:)

Then we reached home. We were tired so much from the loitering. We had veg meals. I think Amby might have got disappointed of not having chicken gravy. But, he looked so contented!

Many of my relatives were there at my home. They were having pleasing discussions and fun with my dad, mom and chechi. Amby asked me “Da, shall I move now? Or else I can’t get back home before night…” suddenly my mind got depressed and turned chaotic. I know that I will meet him in next week on the wedding day. But, still I felt like losing something. I packed chocolates and bagged Amby. He asked my whole family “So.. may I ... Leave...?” Without a smile! All my family sent him with a piece of blankness. My dad ordered him with a loving privilege that “Da, come on the day before yesterday of marriage okay?” My amma asked me from near to my ear without letting Amby to hear “Da, where is that nail-cutter, the only simple thing Amby requested to bring from his intimate hearty friend from gulf?!!!” I smiled at her with extreme love to my Amby. I assisted him till bus stop. We chatted little more. At last Amby took something from his purse. And, he put it in my hand! TIPS!!!?

No, not at all... Ha ha... It was his torn train ticket intact; a typical Amby-blunder! Bus came.. He went.. I sat at the bus stop itself for a while.. Then once more I looked into the ticket he gifted me and smiled at that.. But, this time Amby’s tear streamed down through MY eyes!!!