Summer Vacation in Kerala

 Summer Vacation in Kerala

My exams had just got over and I was very excited to go to my grandma's house in Kerala. There were three reasons for that:

1. Our mode of transport was by plane so I was very excited.

2. I could watch cartoons and play games there.

3. I could eat more mangoes and ice-creams thanks to grandma's love. (not that I didn't eat ice-cream here)

I asked my father, "Is Kerala too hot?"

"Yes it is during summer."

"So why do we go there?"

"Because it's our native place"

"So?"

"Everyone would like to go to their native place because it brings back memories."

"Did you have a lot of memories in Kerala?"

"No. Only a few. I was born in Jhansi and your grandfather was in the army. So I spent most of my childhood in the northern states."

"Is that why you're not coming with us?

"No son, it's because I have work to do."

"What kind of work?"

"Office work"

I had always wanted to go to an office and work there with my own laptop, phone, cabin (free food) and those sort of things. But I think it all might change when I grow up. 

* * *

So when we boarded the flight we met my friend who was on the same flight. The checking in was too boring. Showing the passport, scanning, walking through some doors, getting the boarding pass and blah blah blah. So, when the plane began its ascent, many old people started reciting slogans, praying, screaming in fear of crashing and few were sleeping. Were they unconscious or did they really fall asleep, we may never know. I enjoyed my flight because I had the window seat. I bribed my brother for that. Boo-yeah!! I saw that the airport we were in turned into a small patch of towers, and city which we lived in was unidentifiable. Everything started zooming out like a camera. Few people looked happy because they could get better food. (Not that I'm saying that flight food is the best).  I ordered a sandwich, but the person sitting beside me, ordered a lot of things. I think that's why he wasn't seen for 2 or 3 hours after the flight. Then suddenly, everything went off. The lights stopped working but we were still flying. Someone started crying and cried to the air-hostess, "Gori memsahib! Gori memsahib! Hame bacchao!  Which means, "Madam! Please save me!". The air-hostess calmly assured him, "Nothing would happen it is just that there is- Then whoosh the lights came on! Everyone congratulated a poor guy who looked like he fixed the lights. 

* * *

We reached the airport at some place in Kerala. Our next step was to catch a cab. We finally got one. After a journey of two hours, we reached Kattanam. I was very happy to see those roads, lanes and junction. The cream buns, porotta and beef, sweetna or dilkush, ice-creams, vadas and all those type of delicacies. The smell was amazing, but the people weren't bothered about it. I guess they got used to it. My mother stopped the cab and gave him the money. She later caught an auto rickshaw and she told the driver not to go left. She told me that the road to the left is very nostalgic.  She almost started crying when she said that. Finally we reached grandma's place. She became very lean but she was still strong enough to cook for 5 or 10 people. It was a huge bungalow. There was a well, a lot of coconut and mango trees, purple spinach, neem, basil leaves or curry leaves, coriander and many more. Few workers came and went, my mother and brother got busy throwing stones at crows trying to peck the mangoes. I wanted to stop them mainly they are the ones who eat the leftover food and black is my favourite colour. I did eventually but, there was a superstition about crows in Kerala. And the superstitions in Kerala, are believed by a lot of people. My grandma used to tell me, "Don't do anything important if a black cat passes in your way. Young Mr. Georgekutty ignored it and met with a severe accident!" 

" But grandma, there are no things such as superstitions. It is just a coincidence!"

"No it's not mone. Some things are true." 

"Meh. I don't believe them grandma."

"It's okay if you don't, but do remember the rules if you come across one."

"Ok..."

Then there was Babykutty Uncle. He was my grandma's brother. He was always on a cycle talking with my grandma. Grandma used to argue with him a lot. I used to ask my parents, "Why do we go to his house even if we are sure that they will have an argument?"

My mother told me, "He is our relative. Not many people get to meet their relatives if they grow old."  I didn't bother about it anymore. 

* * *

One day he came home with a packet of biscuits. He was on a cycle. I was curious because he was rich enough to buy a car, why not a bike?

I asked him, "Uncle, why can't you ride a bike?"

"I have the licence, but I don't know to ride it."

"I'll teach you uncle. Just buy a bike, I'll teach you."

"No mone. You're not old enough to get a licence."

I groaned. "Adults have all the fun."

"Enjoy your childhood while you can kid." Saying this he left.

I thought to myself, Why did he say that? Which is better? To be a kid or and adult? This question stills haunts my mind and no one ever knows the answer. That was the last time I saw him. One year later, I learnt that he died.

THE END