After lunch, I sat talking to an old lady who came to wash vessels. She said, both she and her sister married the same man and lived together. I wondered how this could happen! It seems she was just 13 when she got married and somebody asked him why he did not marry someone more beautiful making him feel guilty. He then asked for her sister's hand and married her to compensate. I questioned how did she agree? She said they didn't know what was happening at that age, even fought against it but couldn't help. She now has two sons while her sister has two sons and a daughter. She said he kept them all happy. In today's world, people prefer nuclear families and are forced to live lone lives but here, imagine so many people in a small house and the money was so less.
A family from Bangalore checked in yesterday. They looked neat but the lady was a pain. While I was on a break, she troubled Navneet asking him to serve dishes that were not part of complimentary lunch. She was with her husband and a child, the poor husband looked like he would run away if he got a chance. Navneet warned me about her before I went to take their order for the complimentary breakfast. The husband had some idlis and a dosa, she ordered 3 bread omelettes for herself and her son, along with uthappams, another omelette, two cups of ginger tea and a glass of Fanta. The husband stopped her when she went on asking for a glass of milk. I served them and turned back while her husband literally asked his son what was wrong with his mother. The previous day, she asked us to keep the leftovers from lunch in the fridge and ate it for dinner with a dal fry.
We were allowed to take 4 leaves in a month and I had taken just one. I wanted to take leave today and went to ask for permission. Selvam sir wasn't available and the new GM, Mr Ajay granted my leave and said he would let me know if the remaining 2 leaves would be paid. I started walking to reach Naidupuram, met Ganesh and another Selvam who had recently joined. I asked them if there was anything to do nearby and they said Nair and GM were going to Palani and I could tag along. I liked the idea. The Innova stopped and I asked GM if I could join? He agreed. When I stepped in, Nair asked me to get down. I got furious but helpless.
Ganesh guided me to go to the city viewpoint at Shembavanur. He knew the kind of places I went to and said it was a good one. I took his advice and started walking. I hitchhiked on a MaxR 100, his name was Shiva, said he worked with the police and investigated cases. He did not wear any uniform and had to look normal for the job. He stopped to buy me a bottle of water and guided me to my destination. I kept walking and another person named Albert dropped me further and guided me through a shortcut. After a long walk through the peach and wood apple plantations, I reached the viewpoint with a beautiful landscape. It was worth it. I intend to go there again another day.
Luckily I got a lift back in an old Baleno. They guided me to Silver Cascade Waterfalls and I continued walking. I had just 2 notes of 500 left and needed some change. With a budget of 100 for the day, first, I ate some bananas, then two packets of biscuits, later some peaches and jack fruit.
I reached the falls to realise I had seen it earlier while entering Kodai and was not very interesting. I clicked a few pictures and decided to visit brother Lawrence who had gone home. I remembered him telling me his house was on the way to Palani. I waited for a bus but one did not stop even after a chase. Not wanting to walk back to the bus stand, I kept walking on the highway hoping to get a lift.
After a few vehicles, an M80 slowed down for my request and I hopped on though there wasn't a pillion seat. I sat on the iron frame and he took me a short distance. A walk again and a man in a TVS victor took me a little ahead. I still had about 6 km to go and was exhausted. I sat on the roadside resting when a loaded pickup stopped. Thanks to him he dropped me at BL shed. I reached his house to find it locked and was asked to check in a shop about 100 metres away. Meanwhile, someone passed the message that I was looking for him and his mother came looking for me. I met her and asked about him. She said he was out with his elder brother. She was probably in her 70's and was still working for her own supper. She said she got a handicap pass for Lawrence 3 days ago and opened accounts in the post office for her grandchildren. Though she insisted on paying, I denied and paid to fill myself with a sweet bun and a biscuit while I waited for a bus to get back.
I got a bus at 4:30 towards Kodai and the ticket cost 13 rs. I got off and walked towards Naidupuram. I was drained and badly wanted someone to ride me. Basil stopped for me on a TVS victor. He was from Kerala and worked at a hotel near Naidupuram. He dropped me and we exchanged numbers. I walked to the Ganapathi temple and paid my respects to Lord Ganesha and his family before reaching the resort.
We are born every day we wake up. The last few days have been tough and I am experiencing a lot of new things. It is both people and experiences. This group from Alleppey, Kerala, also ran a resort with 17 rooms. They were a group of 19 guests staying in 8 rooms and did not venture outside the resort during their 2 days stay. One room had elderly people and we served food to their room. They said they got out once every year and would prefer staying together rather than go out sightseeing. They liked the food except for one breakfast. When I told Mr Renji Paul It was my last day there, he gave me his card and asked me to call if I needed anything in Alleppey. I told him if they needed an extra hand for a couple of months in any season for the next 3 years they could reach me. He called me to his room and tipped me 500 rupees.
Yesterday was my last day, I wanted to bid goodbye to everyone. My Paati ( Old dishwashing lady) was happy to see me. She said she thought I wouldn't go, but was disappointed when I told her I had come to see them one last time. I handed her 50 bucks and 30 bucks to another lady and spoke to Navneet filling him with some hope. I gave him the novel, 'home before morning' and asked him to read it. Ate a piece of cake left by a guest and had breakfast with Lawrence brother. Navneet, Cheran, Ganesh and a few boys were present.
I thanked Selvam Sir and went down to collect my salary of 9000 rupees and started walking away. I was done at Jem Valley. Unfortunately, not having the balance to call Nitesh, I tried Whatsapp call and he said he would come to pick me.
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