With my OOO(Out Of Office) reminder in place I made an early exit from office. Well, another nagging thing was to shift house. Finally, I have taken the decision to stay alone. Gosh whatta a pain, is shifting house!! In 3 years this is the fifth time scuffling PGs(Paying Guest) and rented accomodation.Finally, that bit was done. On the way went to Bar-B-Q Nation to have dinner but was totally exhausted to wait for half an hour for a table. Instead went to 'Ammi's Biryani' near Jaideva Hospital flyover. And boy was I hungry? I devoured my meal in flicker of seconds.
Climbing four floors with luggage was really tiring.Spent the last night at my favourite place on earth, the first rented accomodation that I and my roomie had got!! I will really miss this place!!:(!! But I am ready to make new memories in my new house.:)
Woke up with the rain lashing outside my window at 4 am. Just 2 hours left to whoosh to the airport, couldn't sleep after that. Woke up finally at 5am and had my bath since I had a long day. Eventhough I am going by air, I will reach Guwahati at 3 pm. Finally, everything packed I set out for my long destination, to my homeland. Saying a silent prayer so that I can buzz through the tickets ruckus with Ozzy Osbourne's 'Mamma I am comin home' ringing in my head.
As I waited for the Volvo at 6.30 pm, a weird cab driver started haggling with me, "Madame 400 bucks to the airport, I have got a pick up don't want to go empty." I was totally apprehensive of going with this guy eventhough it sounded like a good deal. I said a firm 'No' as for a girl safety is the foremost concern. Then a girl came and this cab driver approached her too. Now, the fare was 200 bucks each. We agreed but at the last moment the girl backed off and luckily saw the Volvo coming.
The girl was a student doing her MBA and was from Chandigarh. She had got a strict dad and she was constantly taking my name that she was travelling with me. Amusing but really smart. I hardly knew her for 5 minutes and she is already travelling with me. Thankfully, didn't converse with her much as she was glued to her phone. Wondering with whom she was talking at this hour. As it was the perfect time to snooze with the blanket over the head with the soulful symphony of the rain's music playing outside. With a deep sigh, I patiently sat for 45 minutes at least that's the benefit of catching the first bus to the airport in the outskirts of the town, 2 hours journey is shortened to 45 minutes.God knows, the brilliant perspective of the BIAL's board decision to locate the airport so far from the city. In peak hours it takes upto two to three hours just to reach the airport. People reach different cities within this time. What a waste of time and money. Hope my grand children if ever I have them will benefit from this with better connectivity.It is ruled out in my case, not grandchildren but of course the long journey to BIAL.
Thanks to my contacts in the right place, was able to sail through the ticket commotion with ease. I took a deep sigh of relief.I hope this tension has made me lose some weight, chuckle chuckle. With the tickets done I headed for the security check and a long serpentine queue was there especially in the women section. As I approached nearer an audience has gathered as there was a verbal war going on with the security lady and an old grandma. Reason was unknown but the second X-ray and security console was opened thankfully. With security checks over, I straightway headed to the coffee outlet and got myself a chicken tikka sandwich which tasted shite for the price that I paid. Stale chopped capsicum and shredded masala chicken in coarse white bread wasn't welcome for my taste buds but it certainly averted my hunger cramps. Another one and half hour to go, sent out text messages to all and listened to music. All the time I was observing the people. Among them, I found an old colleague from Guwahati, Mayuri, but with the poker look in her face, didn't feel like introducing myself. I have always found her to be a lil reserved unlike me and didn't want to disturb the deep thoughts she was in.
Finally, boarded the flight, as usual got the window seat, thanks to the guys in the counter! giggle giggle. The people sitting next to me was a young man and an old uncleji. In the course of the flight came to know that these people were from Shillong. Mukhim was the young man sitting next to me, a business man as well as working for Meghalaya government.He was very talkative about his background. Both he and uncleji were into the coal business and were converted Catholics as is the story of the rest of the north=east excluding Assam and Manipur. Sometimes I wonder why did the Missionaries didn't convert us. Is it because they were in awe of the Ahom kings or maybe they crossed through China? I gotta dig into history soon.
Glimpses of the greenery of Guwahati
Alas!reached Guwahati, and after landing the temperature was at its boiling best. I removed my sweater and went towards the luggage belt to collect my things. My bro had come to pick me up and finally reached home in 45 minutes. My kid bro has finally mastered driving and was showing his skills aplomb much to my surprise and disgust. As I have a driving licence, but as soon as I am in front of the steering wheel, all i can do is 'vroom' with my mouth, I don't remember the ABC of driving now.
Dad was sleeping when I came home and mom gave me a warm welcome hug. Finally, my realatives started pouring in. I was so elated to see the newest addition to our family 'Neer', my cousin's 5 months son. Wow what a bonny baby, I was in love with him in the first sight! and yes he showed his affection too by peeing on me. Kiddo was the centre of attraction and I relaxed by playing with him. Finally, when everyone went, I finally took my bath and slept off in the spread eagle position.
The next day went out for shopping. Fancy Bazar and Paltan Bazar was geared up for Eid and Puja shopping; flocked by people in hordes. Eventhough bomb threats were a regular feature in the newspapers, that didn't deter the people's spirits. Thanks to the retail outlets, shopping in bulk under one roof was possible. One interesting thing happened, due to our hefty bills , got some scratch cards and wonders of wonders I got a scratch card with a cash prize but my bad I scratched is so hard that I torn it, had to be happy with a keyring.
Guwahati was too hot, eventhough there were around 8 days for Eid, I couldn't fast for the darn weather. Just fasted the 28th roja which is considered to be very auspicious taking the count of my fasting till 6. I know shame on me. Finally, Eid day was there. In the afternoon Guwahati was jolted by an earthquake. It was after a decade that I was facing the tremors. But it was not welcome. Eid day was over and I enjoyed thoroughly with my family. Nothing can beat this feeling of being with closed ones on this day with good food, eidee and friends, relatives , neighbours makes it an enjoyable event.
Finally, 3 weeks just whoosed by and it was time for me to be back to my hectic lifestyle leaving the warm hearth and home of Guwahati.I was really sad but my dad encouraged me, you gotta do your responsibilities no matter what as without a purpose a person is like a kite without a string. The most dreaded part was my two and a half day journey to Bangalore.
At 5 woke up and mom packed my breakfast, dinner and lunch for a day. My sweet Mom was up at 4 am to prepare all this even after telling her not to exert herself. At 5.30, mom, me and my bro left for the station bidding a tearful goodbye to dad. Dad has started crying from the previous day itself eventhough he wasn't showing. I got into my coach and much to my dismay, I got an old coach, where even the seat numbers were written with a red marker and there were no charging points also. The only respite was my side lower seat. I saw all the girls crying, I somehow was able to keep my tears in my ducts but as soon as the train was chugging seeing my mom's face I broke down. After the teary goodbye, I composed myself for the long journey back to Bangalore.
The people in my compartment composed of a Mallu couple and their son Aryaman who were going to Chennai, a middle- aged couple from Meghalaya, Mary and Elvis who were going to Vellore for Mary aunty's cervix cancer treatment. An air-force official posted in Tezpur, going to Bangalore for a 3 months IT course and a young Bangalorean lad, whose father is a tea scientist posted in Tezpur, was a fresher joining his first job in Bangalore. Also a girl, Akumo from Nagaland who after passing 12 was going to Bangalore to experience the big city life.
The train journey as expected was boring to the core. This time thankfully I didn't get locked in the loo like last time. One fascinating thing happened in the second night of the journey. Just 15 minutes of blasting the coach attendent about the hygiene of the train toilets, the Eureka Forbes guys came in the next station with a gift for me. But I was so deep in my sleep, from underneath of my blanket i swayed my hand in a 'move away' fashion. This is the second time I am having a bad luck including the scratch card. Maybe I did the right thing thinking what if it was a security threat. Thank God, the train didn't blew up.
To add to my woes the train was full three hours late and when we finally reached Bangalore, it was raining like anything. Somehow paid through my nose, got a coolie and an auto and rushed to my new home which was in a store room format!! Next post will detail it.
