It was after 2 long years that we got to celebrate Onam in Kerala. Even though I was not sure of getting my leave approved (Thanks for being a part of service provider company), I reserved tickets well in advance but still I could manage only WL in my return ticket. Thankfully got my leaves approved. Thanks to my Japanese Clients and three weeks of nonstop work.
So we had a very good Onam time with family
. But back of my mind I was worried about the return journey. So I tried my luck in Tatkal on Saturday. I was so happy to see my Bank transaction going through. But to my disappointment I got a regret message from IRCTC that my booking dint happen as non availability of seat. So I was hoping for my WL tickets to get confirm. Mean while had great food as part of Onam. As usual Non-veg items were outstanding, but surprisingly this time I enjoyed Veg Items much more. For those who are surprised of we having Non-Veg items in Onam feast, It's how we do it in Malabar. So as customary one feast in my Tharavadu (Mom's home in my case) and next in in-laws place.
. But back of my mind I was worried about the return journey. So I tried my luck in Tatkal on Saturday. I was so happy to see my Bank transaction going through. But to my disappointment I got a regret message from IRCTC that my booking dint happen as non availability of seat. So I was hoping for my WL tickets to get confirm. Mean while had great food as part of Onam. As usual Non-veg items were outstanding, but surprisingly this time I enjoyed Veg Items much more. For those who are surprised of we having Non-Veg items in Onam feast, It's how we do it in Malabar. So as customary one feast in my Tharavadu (Mom's home in my case) and next in in-laws place.
Back of my mind I was worried about the return journey. I dint want to miss the office on Monday. So I kept checking the PNR status whenever possible. WL12,13... WL8,9... WL5/4 it went on. So on Sunday morning when I checked at around 10am it showed WL1,2. I was so happy and pretty sure that we will make it. Then I checked various times but PNR Status never changed after that. So we made small changes to our plans. I decided to come in General compartment and wife would stay back.
As usual I made sure that we started early enough to reach the station. When we entered the city limits, we had to wait at the first traffic signal. One i20 (Ernakulam Registration) overtook us kissing our car's front wheel arch, as soon as the green light was on. It was such a rash driving as if he was on a run after some crime. I chased the car, knowing the Kannur traffic well. I could get him in the next signal. When I asked him to park the car on side he did so. It was in front of a Hero showroom. As I came out of the car I looked for the damage done on my car. It was just a minor scratch, but I was angry at the way he drove the car. The man really looked like a movie villain. To add to the look he had a big scar on his neck. Mark of either a suicide attempt or murder. To be very frank I was a little scared. But to my luck started by an apology that too in Hindi (as the rule in most part of India goes - who ever speaks the local language well gets all support). Also my in-law knew some of the fellows working in hero showroom. They all came for our help.
He told us that he was in a hurry to reach Mangalore to ship the vehicle to Mumbai. Then our suspicion grew that he was speeding away with a stolen car. On asking about it he told us that it was a navel officer's car. Which he wanted to ship to Mumbai and he was just the courier boy. When asked for the details he gave a phone number to confirm. I dialed the number and confirmed about the detail. All the responses were inline with what he told except that he could not remember the number of his car. For which he told he owns many cars that he dint remember all details, and promised to revert beck with details. I really wanted to ask for RC book and so, but for me time was running out.
I really wanted to get out of it and not to miss my train. My in-law told the same to one of his former student who too was present at the seen. The people who were arguing so loyally for us dint want to leave the guy just like that. They asked him to pay Rs6000, to which his reply was he had only 300 and dint even have a debit card. He was willing to call police and register a case. (May be he know Malayalam, hence understood that we were in a hurry). Finally he paid that 300 and suddenly his next question to my in-law was ''Aap musalman hai kya?''. I was really shocked by the question. (Just the fact that all people these days use religion in all unwanted contexts). He followed it up with some curses as well. Even today while I am writing this I still feel that there was something fishy about the car. I was in such hurry that I dint even note the car's number or took a snap of it.
at around 10am it showed WL1,2. I was so happy and pretty sure that we will make it. Then I checked various times but PNR Status never changed after that. So we made small changes to our plans. I decided to come in General compartment and wife would stay back.As usual I made sure that we started early enough to reach the station. When we entered the city limits, we had to wait at the first traffic signal. One i20 (Ernakulam Registration
) overtook us kissing our car's front wheel arch, as soon as the green light was on. It was such a rash driving as if he was on a run after some crime. I chased the car, knowing the Kannur traffic well. I could get him in the next signal. When I asked him to park the car on side he did so. It was in front of a Hero showroom. As I came out of the car I looked for the damage done on my car. It was just a minor scratch, but I was angry at the way he drove the car. The man really looked like a movie villain. To add to the look he had a big scar on his neck. Mark of either a suicide attempt or murder. To be very frank I was a little scared. But to my luck started by an apology that too in Hindi (as the rule in most part of India goes - who ever speaks the local language well gets all support). Also my in-law knew some of the fellows working in hero showroom. They all came for our help.He told us that he was in a hurry to reach Mangalore to ship the vehicle to Mumbai. Then our suspicion grew that he was speeding away with a stolen car. On asking about it he told us that it was a navel officer's car. Which he wanted to ship to Mumbai and he was just the courier boy. When asked for the details he gave a phone number to confirm. I dialed the number and confirmed about the detail. All the responses were inline with what he told except that he could not remember the number of his car. For which he told he owns many cars that he dint remember all details, and promised to revert beck with details. I really wanted to ask for RC book
and so, but for me time was running out.I really wanted to get out of it and not to miss my train. My in-law told the same to one of his former student who too was present at the seen. The people who were arguing so loyally for us dint want to leave the guy just like that. They asked him to pay Rs6000, to which his reply was he had only 300 and dint even have a debit card. He was willing to call police and register
a case. (May be he know Malayalam, hence understood that we were in a hurry). Finally he paid that 300 and suddenly his next question to my in-law was ''Aap musalman hai kya?''. I was really shocked by the question. (Just the fact that all people these days use religion in all unwanted contexts). He followed it up with some curses as well. Even today while I am writing this I still feel that there was something fishy about the car. I was in such hurry that I dint even note the car's number or took a snap of it.
So we managed to reach the station just in time. Thanks to my practice and the fact that the train starts from Kannur it was a cakewalk to get a window seat in the General compartment. Then came a man opposite to my seat who was also traveling to Bangalore. Then one of my friend calls up from Australia and wishes me Onam and then as always I asked him about the next visit to India. He told all depends on the status of his P.R application. Once I cut the call I saw a middle aged couple (daily wagers) seated near me. The socialist in me initiated some talks with the man. I asked where he is travelling to? He opened the mouth and immediately it struck me that I have done a mistake by initiating a talk with a drunken man who loves talking nonstop. He was struggling actually to remember where he was going.
from Kannur it was a cakewalk to get a window seat in the General compartment. Then came a man opposite to my seat who was also traveling to Bangalore. Then one of my friend calls up from Australia and wishes me Onam and then as always I asked him about the next visit to India. He told all depends on the status of his P.R application. Once I cut the call I saw a middle aged couple (daily wagers) seated near me. The socialist in me initiated some talks with the man. I asked where he is travelling to? He opened the mouth and immediately it struck me that I have done a mistake by initiating a talk with a drunken man who loves talking nonstop. He was struggling actually to remember where he was going.
After 2-3 stations I saw the compartment getting over populated. Mean while my friend sitting near me took out a bottle of Mirinda and went towards the toilets to drink it (hope you guessed the reason to take pain to move through the fully packed compartment to reach out toilet to drink few sips of water). What surprised me more was when he came back the lady drank the same Mirinda sitting in her very own seat.
sitting near me took out a bottle of Mirinda and went towards the toilets to drink it (hope you guessed the reason to take pain to move through the fully packed compartment to reach out toilet to drink few sips of water). What surprised me more was when he came back the lady drank the same Mirinda sitting in her very own seat.
After that their discussion got louder and louder. From whatever I understood it was clear that they were not couples even though acted like. When the decibel limits was going up, I actually wanted to request them to reduce the volume.As I was about to tell something, another uncle sitting opposite to them shouted at them and asked them to be quiet or else he will call the railway police. After being quiet for about 30 minutes, he woke me up from the little sleep I was trying to manage. Asking me for permission to spit through the window. I gently told him to go to the washbasin, to which he told, he is unfit to walk that distance. Then I heard the person opposite to us shouting " %(*)()*^*&%%$ u can walk till there to have your drinks but not to spit". But by then he had spitted and as expected it fell in the window itself. By then I had lost it hence I shouted at him to clean it. He without any hesitation cleaned it with his bare hands immediately.
After all these I don't know how irritating it was to sit there and trying to catch some sleep. Each time the train reached a station I woke up expecting him to get down. Finally he got down at Dharmapuri and next station is for me to get down. So I can't afford to catch a good sleep now. So a sleepless night.
But little did I know worst things were yet to happen.
To be CONTINUED
Day -2
As a pleasant surprise my brother was waiting for me outside the station. I had called and woken him up about 30 minute ago and asked him to come to pick me. Just as he started the scooter it gave a weird noise on ignition. But once started it worked smoothly. Then we stopped near a tea stall to have a cup of tea. I generally avoid tea, but this time I felt like having a couple more as was very hungry. The packed dinner provided by my in-law was still in the bag (reason need not be explained I guess).
My phone was running out of fuel because playing with that was the only stress free thing I could do in that stressful journey. So as soon as I reached home I kept my phone for charging, but realized that there was no power. So next thing I did was to keep some water in Gas to heat, for a bath. Then picked up brush and then went to terrace to see my Veggies. Some rains have definitely helped them grow stronger, but as expected the pests population also have grown. As I finished a look at all my plants my brushing was over and water was hot for a bath. Exactly at 7 am I was off to office. This time too the weird noise did come but I dint have much time to worry about and once started it was running very smooth.
The smoothness continued only for around 1/4th of my journey. Then I heard the weird noise again but before I could stop I heard a blast! First thing I checked were the tyres. But they were fine, by then a few people have surrounded me to help me out. Next thing I tried was to restart the motor, then I saw the kicker liver had gone down. So I did not want to try much. Then as per the public opinion I decided to push the vehicle to Sarjapura to get some basic aid and then ride it to TVS Authorized dealer to avail the warranty as my Jupiter is just 7 months old.
I asked a person about the location of a bike garage. I pushed the scooter for about 2 km. Then saw the board Confidence bike point. I pushed it near the shed outside the garage and sat on it to catch some breath. Then I called my colleague and informed that I will be late as my scooter broke down (almost breaking my heart). He then told me that he was in native and he too planed to take a day off. As soon as I cut that call I saw a mobile number on the Garage wall, immediately I dialed that number and asked ''when the garage usually opens?". The reply was 9.30 am, but he promised that he will ask his worker to reach ASAP.
After that I saw a bakery little far from there with half shutter open. I hoped they will be opening it in a while, so that I can at least have some snacks. But sooner I realized that they were actually cleaning it before closing it down. Then a boy of around 12-14 years came up to me and asked if I was the one who called his boss. On seeing him, I have lost some confidence I gained by reading the name of the garage. But I had no choice but to trust his capabilities. So after his customary cleaning and taking out some bikes to display, he came with a tool kit and asked me what the problem was. In spite of me explaining him the problem clearly and it's not in shape to start, he still tried starting the machine a couple of times. (As if he didn't believe what I said or may be my Kannada was the villain or he believed that he had some midas touch by which all problems were solved without any repair). So after his few attempts to start the motor he nodded his head in agreement to what I tried explaining him all that while.
Then he took out some star headed screw driver and started dismantling the kicker unit. As he started I too joined him because I felt I knew how to assemble or dismantle a mechanical unit better (Thanks to my diploma days). As we removed the kicker assembly and checked it was clear that it dint have any problem. Then I advised him "let your boss come, before we proceeded" as he dint look confident to go further. 10 minutes later another boy (16-17) came in a scooter. I thought he too may have some problems with scooter to be repaired. The guess was wrong, he went inside the garage put on his uniform. So he was the one who we were waiting for. He then came and analyzed the situation. Then told he will have to have to remove the ratchet mechanism from the shaft to see if it is damaged.
Then he took a spanner trying to remove it by rotating in counter clockwise direction. They tried hard for about 10 minutes. But nothing much happened and I stood there watching all the fun. Then suddenly it struck me that some rotating parts have opposite threading to avoid loosening of the part while rotating. I told the same to the mechanic and requested him to try removing it the other way. He stared at me as to say he knew it better than me. He even asked his Jr to bring the Activa's parts which he has successfully removed earlier. Then warned me he can try out my suggestion but if something goes wrong he should not be held responsible. I agreed to it and he tried to remove the other way and with not much of struggle it got removed. On having a closer look the engaging teeth have worn out even on the crank shaft. Luckily on crankshaft it was only towards the outer side, so I suggested em to manage it with a washer in the inner side and assemble it. So that I could manage to start and drive to some Authorized dealer. After the thread removal episode they were actually waiting for my orders. So as I instructed they assembled everything except the kicker assembly, which was packed in a polythene cover and put inside the seat. As I asked the mechanic about the payment, he called his boss up (only then i realized that the real mechanic hasn't arrived yet)
I knew that once it is started, it is a huge risk to stop the engine as it may not restart. So I have to drive back home pick the warranty card and then reach Hosur to hand over to the dealer. Just as I was about to start wife had called. As I didn't want to stop the engine I kept the phone inside my helmet and kept the call and kept riding. After sometime the call disconnected as the phone ran out of charge. When I reached home I was conscious not to off the engine. As I removed the helmet the phone fell down. As it was out of charge I dint even bother to see if something happened to it. Just left the phone for charging. I then realized that my Bro was still asleep ( @ around 1 pm). So I asked him to get ready and join me. when he came he found that one of his footwear was not to be seen. He started searching that, by then I was so hungry. Finally he found it in the next house compound, bitten by dog. I asked him to manage with the same footwear and we started. On reaching the hotel I was little hesitant to off the engine, but bro told me that even if it doesn't restart its a small distance which can be managed. Finally after lunch at around 3 pm we reached the dealer and explained the situation. They told they will check the vehicle and call back to inform when to collect.
As the public transport system is so poor in Hosur, we had to walk 500 meter in the opposite direction to reach to the nearest bus stop. We might have waited for around 15-20 minutes but no bus came. Finally we took an auto and ended up paying 50/- . Had we walked the opposite direction we could have almost reached the bus stand. (I was actually thinking of Najib of Aadujeevitham, when we are in a bad phase of life all decisions we take will go wrong). As we went home we also bought some chicken as it is one of the easy thing to cook.
As I reached home at around 5 pm, first thing I checked was my phone. It was working fine. I saw a Watsap message from my Australian friend who called me the previous day. He has messaged to inform me that he got PR status. Trust me, it was the only happy news I heard that day. Then there was 2 missed calls from my boss followed by a message . " Hi Akhil, plz inform me in case you need leaves. Only then I realized the situation in the office and why I was so determined to report at work on Monday itself. I was so upset that in spite of all the sincere efforts from my side I could not make it, and worse was that my boss is pissed off with me. "I immediately tried calling him back, but he cut the call. Then when I tried to text back, I realized that my phone was typing something else. It was the effect of the earlier fall.
Then we both had dinner (I must tell that the curry was very tasty though) and I went to sleep. The burning sensation in the eye made it difficult for me to sleep. Then I was thinking of the office and I was aware that the Japanese clients were to be in India by the next day. So the last thing I wanted was to be late to office.
I caught the next bus, it was moving like a snail in the usual Bangalore traffic. It easily took 20-25 minutes to cover less than 3 km. From the bus stop I had to walk less than 1 km, but I dint want to take a chance. I asked an Auto driver, he told 100/-. As I took my office ID card he immediately came down to 50/- (as he understood I knew the destination). So finally I had to settle with 40/- as he told coming back in the traffic is difficult. Finally I reached office gates by 9.50 am. Then I rushed to my desk, the place appeared to me like an I.C.U as the cubicles were made translucent to impress the client. I dint see anybody in their seats. For a moment I thought all would be in meeting with the Japanese clients and my problems will continue.
I sat in my place for a while, then I heard the voices of my teammates coming. I asked them about the clients as they seemed relaxed. The answer was " They have reached in Delhi this morning and our manager has gone to receive them and take them to our Delhi office. They will be here tomorrow."
After all these I was so tired and took a nap. Then as I woke up I was very hungry and cooking was the only option. So I started cooking chicken as my bro helped. I saw red chilly powder in a small bottle and added it, only to realize that it was colour (Kesari) powder hence the curry looked great. My bro had gone out to get some curd, seeing the curry had become very spicy (I dint tel him the mistake I made).
I was very hungry and dint want to wait. So as I was taking it to the dining table it was slipping from my hand so I tried to keep it slowly on the floor. As I bent down it eventually slipped and splashed on my right eye. It was like whatever I did that day was tragic. I went up to the washbasin opening my left eye and don't remember how many times I washed my eye. Then bro came and as he was going to the kitchen he asked "How did you manage to design this wall?". Only then did I realize that the kitchen wall was spoiled. Then the first scene that came to my mind was wife warning me "Both you brothers should not keep the house upside down by the time I comeback". Then for a moment I forgot the burning in the eye and went on to wash the wall.
I have only this pic, as my bro took it. Wish I could have taken more pics to enhance this blog
Then we both had dinner (I must tell that the curry was very tasty though) and I went to sleep. The burning sensation in the eye made it difficult for me to sleep. Then I was thinking of the office and I was aware that the Japanese clients were to be in India by the next day. So the last thing I wanted was to be late to office.
Day-3
I woke up at around 6 am. Left home by 6.40 and I dint forget to carry the Calicut Halwa for my colleagues. Which I brought from native. I had to walk about 1 km to catch the bus. As I reached the bus stop I saw the bus leaving the stop. I tried to run and catch the bus, but could not. I knew next bus will be after 30 minutes, so I walked to the Highway which is around 1.5 km from there. Normally there used to be bus to Attibelle so often, but I had to wait at least for 20 minutes. Then from Attibelle I got a bus to Hopefarm. I was lucky enough to get a seat. Once I took ticket Navya called me and I kept the phone in shirt pocket where I already have kept the tickets (1x10 + 1x15). Later when ever some watsap message came I took the phone and kept it back. After a few stops checker got in the bus, so the bus was going very slow. Then when I took out my tickets I realized that the 15/- was missing (It has flown away when I took out the mobile). When the checker came I tried to explain the thing in whatever Kannada I knew. He asked me to find it from the bus or pay penalty. Hearing all these a school kid got up from her seat holding a ticket and asking me if it was mine. In her white uniform she really appeared like a cute little angel to me.
Then as it reached Sarjapura Police station it was halted. There was some verbal fights with checker and couple of guys. As usual it was finally settled with some money, but I have already started to worry about time. Then in one stop engine went off and was not restarting. couple of guys already managed to get out and catch the next bus. I was very upset with the situation, but luckily the bus started. Then I knew my reaching on time depended on Varthur Traffic. It was around 8.15am when I reached Varthur and as expected traffic was little heavy.
For a moment I thought of calling up my manager, but decided against it. Simply because I knew he would be travelling and I dint want to complicate the situation. While all these thoughts were going through my head, suddenly I saw the expression of a lady driver changing. She cried out loud and was about to collapse. I guessed that something bad has happened behind our bus (from the experience of being in Bangalore traffic all these years). As I turned back to see, I saw a crowd rushing. Before I could make out what exactly happened my bus started to move. It was already 9.10 am by the time I reached Hopefarm (already late by 10 minutes). So now the last thing I wanted was to reach after 10am and security asking me to call up my manager to let me in.
I caught the next bus, it was moving like a snail in the usual Bangalore traffic. It easily took 20-25 minutes to cover less than 3 km. From the bus stop I had to walk less than 1 km, but I dint want to take a chance. I asked an Auto driver, he told 100/-. As I took my office ID card he immediately came down to 50/- (as he understood I knew the destination). So finally I had to settle with 40/- as he told coming back in the traffic is difficult. Finally I reached office gates by 9.50 am. Then I rushed to my desk, the place appeared to me like an I.C.U as the cubicles were made translucent to impress the client. I dint see anybody in their seats. For a moment I thought all would be in meeting with the Japanese clients and my problems will continue.
I sat in my place for a while, then I heard the voices of my teammates coming. I asked them about the clients as they seemed relaxed. The answer was " They have reached in Delhi this morning and our manager has gone to receive them and take them to our Delhi office. They will be here tomorrow."
So All is well, that ends well.
Note : Whatever I have written down is based on what actually happened. May be about 10% V.A.T added. wink emoticon
