Diwalgic Contd...

So where was I..?? Yeah....few more things about my past Diwalis. Before that, my younger sister rightly and promptly pointed out something in my previous post. That is, she is not my younger sister, it should have been youngest of my two elder sisters. LOL

Lets rewind the cycle now. The word cycle reminds me of my days in Carmel Garden(it is one of the 3 schools which I studied). It was a boys high school. Hope you know how it is in a boys school. One fine afternoon, one of our teachers were handling the class and suddenly "Booom", we heard a cracker burst inside the campus. He and few other staffs went to look what happened and din't return at all. So, we had fun the whole afternoon. What guys used to do is, tie the fuse of the cracker to a joss stick(அகர்பத்தி - i just googled it) and so it would blast after sometime once the classes start. This happened quite a few times almost every year.

Youngest of the Lot
my last brother

From the days were my mom used to take me to purchase dress, then it was like I used to take her with me to purchase. Finally it came down to were I have to take my brother to get him dress. When my grandma was there she used to make Gulab Jamuns for Diwali. And the usual breakfast in our house would be masala dosai, coconut chutney and sambhar. இங்க வந்து தோச தேங்கா சட்னிங்கர  வார்த்தையே கேட்டது இல்ல.

Hope may would have done this, like placing a bomb inside a coconut shell or some old tins because I have done it once. It was when my youngest brother was like around 1 or 2yrs old. We used to have the empty ceralac tins. Me and my uncle placed an atom bomb and placed a tin over the bomb. "Kabooom", tin remained unmoved but was missin the bottom cover. It came down floating in the air after few seconds.

Sorry Ahshik and Ganesh for this pic.
This foto was captured in 2006.

Once I was into college, my Diwali's were different. I would meet all my friends and would visit almost everyone's home. It all actually started 7years ago, exactly. It was during my high school, I was in 12th standard. I was having a Scooty pep then and my friend Ahshik had a Bajaj CT100. We planned to go to our friend Ganesh's home. As usual it was a rainy week during Diwali and the roads were damp and mud roads were filled with dirt. We almost reached his home and neither of us knew the way. There were two roads diverging and actually we were in a shortcut, no one was around to ask for help. And we were looking at the roads and it were filled wit dirt. I was like "Atleast your bike would go past it but definitely my scooty would get stuck". But we decided to give it a go and took the road on the left. We fought through the dirt and reached half way through the road when his bike got stuck. His bike's front mud guard was completely filled wit dirt and the wheel was not rotating at all but my scooty just went past it. LOL. We tried to removed the dirt stuck in the wheel using some sticks and things but no use. In this process Ahshik placed his left elbow on the bike's silencer(exhaust) and burned his skin. We couldn't even move the bike. It was the time when we had no mobile phones and things. So, he took my scooty and found a pay phone, asked Ganesh to come. One of my other best friends, Assumtha, her home was near Ganesh's home. They both came in her scooty for our rescue. He brought a spanner and so we removed the mud guard and then it started raining. What a Diwali!!! 

Ahshik still has the scar from the silencer. And he kinda got pissed off since I was the one who took him on that road. The funniest part is, the next day again me,Ahshik and Vedha went to his home. This time three of us in his bike, took a different route, again I suggested him to take a left, got stuck in dirt again. The time we got stuck, it started to rain. We couldn't move the bike, had to carry it to the next street. Again Ahshik had to go and bring Ganesh and the tools.

Hmmmm....  I woke up at 11am, got ready for my class at 1pm, spoke wit my family during the break, came home at  6.30, prepared chicken for dinner and slept off. This was my Diwali this year. And you know this is my elder sister's Thala Diwali but missed it.

My Geeky elder sis

P.S: Vishnu, Anitha and Dharani, I know, every year I used to come to your homes too. இங்க எழுதாததால மறந்துட்டேன் மட்டும் நேநேச்சராதீங்க.

Diwalgic

Its 2.30am. I was wondering why so many are online in FB at this hour. Oh, its already 7am in India, still its too early to see so many online. That is when I came back to reality, it is Diwali. Ya, my first Diwali in 23yrs withut family and friends.

My Friend, Deepak, just now pinged me in FB, "மச்சான் Happy Diwali" with the usual enthu he has in his voice but today it was even more on a high.

"இங்க மொக்கைய இருக்கு டா" He added to it.

I was like "டே, அங்க மொக்கயாவாவது இருக்கே!!"

Yeah. For the past few days me and my friends here were wondering, what shall we do for Diwali. But whenever the topic starts, everyone feels nostalgic and it doesn't go beyond just the topic. சரி, Diwali தான் மொக்கையா இருக்கு sorry Diwali தான் இல்ல, lemme atleast post a blog.

So, what should I write? Whenever I think of Diwali, there are few things that always flashes through my memory. Right now I just have 3 things to write about, maybe I may remember a few more once I start writing. Will try to finish it in 2 posts, at the max.

You know I am a hardcore Rajni fan. If I get bored would watch அண்ணாமலை in my PC, watched Chandramukhi (if am not wrong) around 7 times in theater. After பாட்ஷா for 2 back to back Diwali, it was usually a Rajni film for Diwali, then after few years came படையப்பா. We were in my uncle's place and I was glued to the TV. My sisters decorated the whole house with candles and lamps. Almost everyone were out of the house bursting crackers and taking photographs with me still with the TV. Finally, when they were about to drag me out, Sun news வந்து காபாத்திருச்சு. Phew.

This was quite some time back, probably 10years before. I was at my aunt's place. After a long morning cracker session and a heavy lunch, everyone were either sleeping or watching TV. So, I took out the bijili pack and was bursting one by one. Just then, "Why shouldn't I fire the cracker in my hand and throw it in the air?". So, I took one and carefully pinched the fuse(திரிய கில்லுறது...LOL...meaning removing the outer paper in the fuse thread). I slowly brought the கரி கட்ட(donno the english equivalent) with my hands shaking and the fuse caught the spark. I wanted to wait till the spark reached the paper so I can throw and it would burst in the air. Slowly the spark reached the paper and "DaMMMaaaaLLLLLLLL!!!!". It had burst successfully but still my hands. Blood started to trickle down my index finger, அப்பிடியே விரல சாப்பிட்டு silent ah போய் வீட்டுக்குள்ள உக்காந்துட்டேன். Slurp.

My mom used to get me the crackers list, I used to select whatever I want then calculate the total cost and would check whether its within the budget allocated to crackers. There was one time, I think it was in the final year of my college. Diwali usually falls in the middle of our odd semester exams (thats one very pathetic thing) and I was in my friend's Place(Chokka's), Peelamedu HUDCO. It was Diwali eve and obviously the third musketeer should also be there, that's Harrish. We just got 2 boxes of Hygrogen bombs and cracked them. It was actually 9pm and we almost irritated the usual silent environment. Baaam. And the first person in the pic is Deepak. Try to guess the other two.

Bro and Sis

There was this one time, I think this would also go probably a decade back. My uncle got a handycam from his friend for Diwali. In those days, any kind of electronic gadget was a wonder to us. Me and my younger sister, Sowmiya, almost learned every function of the handycam the previous night. So, it was like we were the cameraman and woman for the next day. And that was the first time we got a 2000 wala, I think am right. ஒரு விஷயத்த விடல, செடி, கொடி, காகா, குருவி, filmed everything. My sister was handling the cam and brother, Dhilip, was lighting the cracker now. She was really concentrating on the end of the fuse thread and the கரி கட்டை. Filming it very closely. The spark was on and she zoomed in only to the fuse cutting out everyone and everything in the background. The spark slowly started to move down. It was the classical "லக்ஷ்மி வெடி" which was standing up straight. She was moving the cam with the spark, as it entered the rolled paper, smoke started to emerge. Next "Blast", which supposed to happen, dint happen. It just smoked out. Busssssssssss.

Still I just have few more things to share, which are close to my heart. I definitely have to tell them and will, but dont wanna drag this post. Hope to tell it before the end of Diwali.

21days

After 23yrs in Coimbatore, it was finally time to leave. It was not the usual Chennai or Bengaluru, but 5139 miles away. Coventry University, where I decided to pursue my desire, that is design. So, after a lot of "Will miss you" days in Coimbatore, my mom tried to control her emotions in front me as I went into the security check. Next stop Chennai.

Met few of my friends in Chennai and boarded the flight to my first destination, Dubai. Spent a couple of days there with couple of my close friends and started the last leg of my travel, 7hrs direct flight to Birmingham. After Fast 5, Battle Los Angeles and Finding Nemo, it was Birmingham. I was waiting for my luggage to come through, waited, waited, waited and started to get nervous as I couldn't find my luggage even after almost 45mins. Finally, at last it was at the last. Dragged the 30kg baggage of mine with a back pack of 8kgs on my shoulders to the exit, excited to see my friend who was supposed to be there but wasn't, Beeeeep!!!

St Michael's Cathedral, Coventry

I was dragging my luggage up and down the lobby trying to find a payphone. After locating one, I tried to make a call using my international visa card but it passed me to some guy and finally the thing was "I cannot make the call". So had to get some coins from money exchange and finally got through to my friend, before I could ask him where I should come my line went dead. I was running out of coins but managed to note down the address the second time before my call disconnected. Got myself a cab and it was a 20mins drive from Birmingham to Coventry.

"Door number 42 please" and the last number on the street was 38. WTF!!!

After locating my new home(It was actually 4A, which was wrong too which I later found out to be just 4), I checked into the university accommodation for the International Students welcome week. There was a party going on from the day I landed in Coventry just for the students but I skipped them for the first 3days coz I dint make much friends in the first couple of days.

"I think we both came in the same flight, I saw you in the flight." that was me.

"Yeah. I recognized you." this was Ruben, one of my best buddies around here. He is from Malaysia and happened to be my neighbor in the hostel. He is a hardcore Mini Cooper fan and I am a hardcore movie buff, we spent a night watching "The Italian Job(1963)".

"Ab Hindi nahi aatha hai" this is Love, who just backed me up when Ijaz spoke in Hindi with me. Loveleen and I have met a few times before but it was during the International Students Party, we rocked the dance floor and thats how we got close.

It was my first party and I reached my room around 3am, if am not wrong. The international week was over and I had to move to my home, which I did. You guys would know that the plug point in India and UK are quite different so I bought a adapter which got fused the moment I plugged in my laptop. It was just 8pm and I was not even close to sleepy. The guy who was supposed to move in with dint wanna share a room with me and backed out, so I was all alone listening to songs in my mp3 player.

Tower Bridge, London

Loneliness coupled with some very good songs (which turned out to be bad for the mood), I desperately wanted to change my home else I would go mad. So, made a few calls to my contacts around here and finally moved into the home of my pal from Coimbatore, Praveen a.k.a Kutty. But the thing was the guys already staying there are moving out only a couple of days later, so............ "Couch", for the next few days.

Then there was this short trip to London with one of my High School buddy, Saran, who is here in Birmingham.

It was induction week and I met my classmates. In the strength of 30 there were around 10 Indians including me and one guy from Coimbatore, that was like WTH man. Whatever, there was a guy from Mexico, Spain, Greece, couple of them from France and Iran. And this girl from Iran, is kinda cute and beautiful. Phew...still I have a year's time, guess I can work it out. Just kiddin'

Finally, got settled in my room, with a bed. Have this good roomie of mine who cooks for us and I help him out in chopping vegetables and getting the things he needs, thats Hari. But the thing is he is leaving in by end of next month so probably I should start to learn things quickly. So, my mission is "படிச்சு ஒரு பெரிய designer ah வரனோ இல்லையோ ஒரு பெரிய cook ah தான் India போகணும்"

Already started to make my move into the kitchen and the recipes. MISSION IN PROGRESS

I have just started partying only after I have landed in UK, already started enjoying the ambience and the fun of it. Already been to a few parties of which the International Students Party and the Platinum club freshers' week party will definitely have lasting memories. Its friday night and time for Kasbah now, one of the freaking clubs around here especially for students. Hope I have a great time. 

And its been just 21days from my home and still a long year ahead of me.(I said this just to give you an idea about my post's title)

Lyrics Eight

“....Anaivarum uranggidum iravinum neram,

Enakkadhu thalaiyanai nanaithidum neram...”

“WTF!!” “How the hell they forgot to wake me up?”

I just took a quick shower, groomed, put on my Bond Suit and shoes and almost ran down the stairs.

“Relax Rahul. Am still waiting for you.”

Ria, as beautiful as ever. A bright pink saree, it almost looked like white, with all the glittery stones and stuff. I almost whistled looking at her.

“ You too look awesome today.” She complimented me.

“Hmmmm.. Maybe..” she just giggled trying to hide her smile with her hand.

“Shall we?” I offered her my hands.

“Hmmmm...” She accepted it and we walked through the aisle in the middle of the hall.

Both the sides were completely filled with people, many were standing and kids were running around. I couldn’t make out who is who. Couple of videographers was moving around and one of them was just walking backwards in front of us focusing us.

I turned my attention towards the stage. My mom, dad, Ahmed, Karthi, Ravi, Divi and their partners except Ravi, in-laws were all waiting for us. The whole stage was decorated by beautiful flowers.

“Flowers!! Oh shit!!”

“Honey, watch your tongue”

“Forgot the red rose.” I was completely frustrated.

“Hmmm.. Its already taken care of. Enakku unna pathi theriyatha enna.”

All I could do was smile, not for the rose, for getting her. Suddenly I felt she was pulling my hand. She just tripped on the video camera wire and was falling over.

“Ria!” “Ria!”

I couldn’t get hold of her and was shook out of it.

“Dey.”

I was staring at Ahmed.

“Man, I told you not to go to Palakkad.”

“Its not Palakkad. The dreams have not gone at all.”


5 years, 10 months and 8days ago

“Just relax man. I’ve asked my brother to start immediately, once we hear from him then we can come to a conclusion.” Ahmed has sent his brother. We hoped we could hear from him in another 1 to 2 hours.

We finally received a call from him around 5am. Ahmed didn’t allow me to speak with him.

“Hmmmm....” “oh....” ”ok.... “when...” “Sure??” “Oh...” “Now??” “Ok..” “We’ll be there” That’s all he spoke on the phone.

“We have to start immediately.”

“Everything is ok right??”

“Ya da.. They have got her and they need someone to take her home and she has mentioned your name.”

“My Name!! Oh.. What the hell was she doing in Palakkad?”

“God only knows”

_

We reached Coimbatore around 3pm. Reached Palakkad around 4pm. Ahmed’s brother was waiting for at the station.

“Riaz, what did the Commissioner mention?”

“Huh? Hmmmmm...ya...the Commissioner. Nothing. Just wanted to make sure she is a college student and some signatures.”

“What about their parents? Do they know about it because I donno why they are calling me instead of their parents?”

“They have informed their parents and they are on the way.”

“Oh ok”

We were there in about 20minutes.

MALAMPUZHA POLICE STATION

“Guys it says Malampuzha?”

“Ya man.”

“Why...”

“AC is waiting here for us.” Riaz interrupted before I could complete.

He was a typical Kerala Policeman with thick moustache and was quite fair.

“You are Rahul?”

“Ya”

“Ok.. Good.. You can come with us..”

“ jeep ne vilikkae.. avane namada kooda kootikondu pogam..” he was speaking something with the constable.

Suddenly Ahmed said something to Riaz and he spoke with the AC.

“Oh...then he can come with you. Just follow us.” Saying this he left with the constables. We took our car and followed the police vehicle.

“Dey, why are we going to GH?”

“Nothing man. He has some work on the way. You just wait in the car. I’ll be back.” Ahmed left me before I could ask anything.

He was almost gone for 15minutes. I lost my patience.

“Riaz, what’s going on?”

“Hmmmm...Nothing...” The tone itself said there is something going on.

“Where is Ria?”

“Ya ya ya...hmmmm... We are gonna meet her.” It was like they were hiding something from me.

“Ok... Am going in..” I started walking towards the entrance, I didn’t wait for his response.

“No no wait.. He’ll be back.”

I asked a constable where they were and proceeded in that direction. Once I turned to the veranda saw a old women sitting and crying. At the end of the veranda I could see Ahmed talking with the Comissioner and couple of other guy. Suddenly one of the guys saw me and got furious. The other guy and the Commissioner got hold of him. Ahmed came running towards me, once he saw me.

“I told you to wait in the car man!”

“Why should I? What’s going on? Who’s that guy? Where is Ria? She was not there at the station.”

Ahmed was just standing there calm and he took out something from his pocket.

“Rahul, this is for you.” He handed out an envelope.

“To Rahul” and my phone number was written at the bottom.

Hi Rahul

Missed Me? The other night when you dropped me, I dint know that you will be never coming back to pick me up. The last happy moment of my life was the dinner and the cool bike ride with you. And really SORRY SORRRY SORRY. This time you should definitely accept my Sorry’s, these are for your head. How’s your health now? Your injuries have healed right. And can you tell SORRY to Divi on behalf of me, I know you will? I couldn’t return her calls. My dad was asking me “When are you gonna elope?” I was keep on lying “No Never...” for almost a week, guess he has found out that I fell for you. I don’t know when it happened was it “When you used to admire me during your vacation classes?” or when you asked “Are you my friend?” No no... I guess its when you asked “iiiiii....ice cream”, it was cute. You know I was cursing you “Why dint you hug me a little longer?”, that stupid Ahmed interrupted before you even actually hugged tight. And Rahul, you should see this place at night, really beautiful, standing on the edge WoW. Probably you must be wondering why dint I tell you anything about it. I know it wont end well. One way pain is always better.

Sorry Rahul, I am selfish, “I love you Rahul”.

See you dear mayb in 80years.

RIP

Ria Rahul

_

“Does he have BP?”

“No doctor. Nothing that I know.” “Doc, he had a small accident a month back and suffered from concussion. Does that affect anything?”

“Hmmmm.. Definitely, it’s a possibility. Just don’t leave him alone for a few days, until it gets into him.”

“Can we see him?”

“Sure”

“Can guys please tell me what happened?” I just yelled at Ahmed as he entered the room.

“You remember the guy, I and the Commissioner were talking to, that’s her fiancé. They had their wedding tomorrow here in Palakkad. And her fiancé, he was the guy who beat you up. He has brought her out for the evening and somehow she managed to..”

“Please, Don’t”

“Ok. Her parents don’t know anything about this, they are on the way for her wedding. They have sent her here 15days back.”

“But how could she do this man??” I was in tears and broken down. I couldn’t say anything else.

She was in hell for a month. I never even thought that she could be so strong, at heart. She was made to starve, locked out, tormented and was forced to. I couldn’t hear more. I just wanted to see her one last time but Ahmed just took me off from that place before her parents arrived.

We loved each other but never were lovers.

_

The operating room was really tensed and was filled with voices.

“Push push..” “Breath breath”

“Can you give another 10ml?”

“Doc, she is losing consciousness.”

“Look at here honey. Ya.. final push..” “We can see the head.”

She was sweating heavily. Nurses were holding her hand and tried to help her out. It was the final few seconds, I couldn’t see her struggle and was waiting outside the room but could hear every bit of it. Her screams were getting louder and louder.

It was the final scream “Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...” and I jolted in my seat.

“Day dreaming honey?”

“Hmmmmm.. Ya kind of”

“Mrs.Raagini Rahul, you are next mam.” The nurse called out for her name. She was in her 8th month now.

It was no more Ria in my dreams. Its been 2years now since we got married and its been more than a year since I got Ria in my dreams sorry its always Raagini in my dreams for the past one year.

“Naan aendra sol ini vaendamm,

Nee aenbathae ini naanthaan,

Inimaelum varam kaetka thaevayillai,

Ithupol vaeraengum sorgamillai,

Uyirae vaa...”