The bus was slowly climbing the Kodai ghats when my thoughts started haunting me again. What if the
given phone number is turned off or if nobody came to pick me? What do I do next? Would I have any cash left to go back home? I even thought of going to Palzhani, shave my head and then go back home if I was left alone.
I reached around 3 PM and called Nitesh, Shaju Ettas cousin who was supposed to pick me up. He came in a yellow scooter and took me to a lodge run by them. He showed me to my space where I rested the luggage before going out since he had some work in town. We had to book a horse for photoshoot, then fuel his Honda and later waited for a guest to make a payment. Meanwhile it started raining, as the rain slowed down, he took me to treat some hot tea and bajjis. Nice raw banana bajjis soaked in Tamilnadu style sambar. He said we will go later to collect the cash before getting back to the lodge. It was about 5 in the evening when I finally took a bath after two days, later sat by the window asking myself what next?
A couple staying in wanted dinner so he handed me some cash. I walked out to a mess nearby to buy 3 meals and 3 omelets. We ate together and they went to rest as I continued to read my novel. Suddenly, Shaju Etta calls to say there were two guests waiting outside. I went to greet them and showed the rooms. Well, They decided to stay and made the payment. It was Akarsh and Vimal. Akarsh had his own business while Vimal was working in Bangalore. They had driven about 400 kilometers from Kozhikode.
It was getting a little boring for me with nothing much to do all day. The guests were badly looking for some magic mushrooms as it was Akarsh's birthday the following day. I drove one of them to the town on their car to buy some booze and snacks which was really joyful, though I drove slowly, I could feel the Honda power waiting to thrust with throttle. Actually, They had poured themselves a few drinks which got me in the driver's seat.
Someone rang the bell at 7AM in the morning. A lorry had to pass and akarsh's car blocked their way. I went up to call him and wished him since it was his birthday. He sounded happy saying the girl called to wish him. As they packed and got ready to leave, I wished them luck in finding what they were looking for. Mushies. I had to pay him the balance but was unable to get change for a 2000 note and they were running late to meet someone, I went along to town and changed the big note to pay their balance while he gave me a 200 rupee tip and asked me to continue travelling. I was surprised to see someone handing me a tip of 200 rupees, it was my first earning since I started this journey. Walking back to the room, I hitchhiked for a little distance, ate about four idly's with two variety of chutney and sambar. It was already two days without a bath and the sun was shining bright, I picked up a few sachets of shampoo and coconut oil along.
After washing my clothes and myself, I moved the bed to put it out in the sun which had some stains and fungus in one corner due to the moisture. I meditated on the grass outside for a while when the lady came to clean the rooms. This time she brought her little daughter along who was looking at me and staring playfully, Nitesh called to say he would reach by evening and there were no guests coming in.
A vegetarian meal at a roadside hotel costs 60 rupees and I am sure most people wouldn't finish so much rice. I thought to myself why couldn't they offer the same meal at 50 with lesser rice which would be sufficient for most. As I sat wondering, the lady finished her work and left. I was alone again when the clock ticked about two in the noon. I walked out to fill my hungry belly, wanted to eat something different today, on my way I found a biryani centre. I took a kushka for 40 rupees and a double omlette costing me another 20. I told myself that I had to cut that omlette but couldn't resist the love for food when i was really HUNGRY. For dessert I asked for a banana when he said it was 8rs each which was too expensive for a banana which I normally bought at 5rs in bangalore.
I wanted to start posting my writing online to find some funding But was still afraid because I really didn't know how much longer I would survive. What if I was simply wasting these years and fail in making a future. Would I have a family or money to sustain myself? My thoughts made it worse but I was decided that I'm not moving for a month at least.
I was missing a lot of things. My Mom especially, she talking to the pets and running around the house all day taking care of our cows, dogs, chicken, cats, cooking inbetween for us all. She is a mad hardworking woman. Waking up at 5 in the morning to take care of so many lives, doing what she likes, she was the only one living happily in the house. My Dad loves his family and so was forced to love his job. We have our differences because he never tried to understand my passion but that's okay now. Nobody understands you better than yourself. He loves me a lot and I love him the same. Its really hard to get a father who hasn't even beaten me once after so many years.
My friends Madhvi, Saji, Bhagat, Abhi, Shashank, Bharat, Arjun, Shrey, Naveen, Akshay, Karthik, Sheriff, Arshad, Waseem and so many people. I have a lot of friends, a few are the most important part of my life. I met Sheriff in Ooty because of whom I started loving motorcycles. He is one of the very few I can sit behind comfortably because Bugger used to pop wheelies with me at the back. Arshad another beautiful soul who is working in the ship currently. Once on the way back from Kotagiri he took a corner when we had a bus coming close on the opposite. Arshad stopped right in front of the bus with the bus also haulting with some hard braking, waking all the sleepy passengers and the driver put on a holy cross! These guys brought life into this body and for once i wanted to live. Otherwise Saji and Bhagat knew how I was during my school days, childish, pampered, alone and sober, no clue why they even gave birth to me, to live like a puppet for the entertainment of the family.
Most of my friends, though they knew it was a wrong turn, supported me well and are still holding on when I am down because they never got a chance to explore life with our tangled and misled, system and society. I wish I could meet all my friends at one place. I love them all and they mean a real lot to me.
Abhi was sad when I left Bangalore saying he would miss the ooty chicken curry I made. He used to be at our room atleast once every week. Bharat stayed at my place during every weekend for a year atleast. Shashank had rented a room next door and we partied there during every week off. School gang, office gang, college gang everyone got together, it was a good group of men having good times. For me, I was trying to save good relationships, that's all.
It was jobless evening. Four guests have taken a room and needed to be moved to a cottage. I was waiting for Nitesh, for him to take them there. Inbetween I was writing about my journey to keep myself busy, not knowing if I would post my writings soon or if I would ever will. Who would like to read my story? But I needed a sponsor or some funds which can help me move ahead exploring the country. I don't have much money and my family doesn't want to support me travel.
Nitesh and his girl friend reached at about 9 when the guests had left for dinner. An hour later we went out to get some food, A ride in the night with freezing temperatures and me beating the cold in a jacket they gave. We ate idly's and a half boil before packing some for Savitha too.
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Thankful to them all, Thankful to the One!
Much metta
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