BACK TO A FAMILIAR PLACE.

            I am a person who likes to travel a lot, and when the journey is to the place where I studied for three years, it feels even more special. As there was a marriage in my cousin’s family, we had to go to Kottayam. When I heard about this, I was very happy because I could visit the place where I completed my degree education. Actually, I wanted to go to my college to meet my dear teachers and staff there. I still keep in touch with them. But since the marriage was on a Saturday, the college was closed, and I lost my chance to go there. This made me sad, but I adjusted myself, as at least I was able to travel to the place and on the same bus in which I used to travel during my college days.

Something very unexpected happened just as we started our bus journey. When the bus stopped for dinner, a man came inside and sat in one of the ladies’ seats. When the conductor came back and asked for the ticket, he replied, “Ticket… for what? Why should I give money?” He was drunk, and when asked about the place he wanted to go, he was not even aware of it. Instead of answering, he kept asking the conductor, “Where is this bus going?” As the man was not cooperating, all the passengers felt uneasy, and the bus was stopped in between. Everyone asked him to get down, as he was a nuisance to all. He did not listen, and at last, somehow the conductor pulled him out of the bus. Then one of the travellers told us that this had become a daily routine for the man for the past three or four days. Because of this, the bus journey kept getting delayed, and once, a passenger who had to reach an examination centre was not able to reach on time. This was a very different experience during my travel.

Talking about the climate, it was very cold. Even though the windows were closed, the wind entered from somewhere, and all of us sat covering ourselves with sweaters. When we reached Kottayam, the cold climate followed us there as well. As soon as I stepped down from the bus at the KSRTC Depot, I was reminded of the days when I used to come here for my UG college and wait at this bus stand for the bus back home. My mind was filled with a rollercoaster of memories.

By 8:30 a.m., we reached our relative’s house. There lives a grandmother who is very loving. I used to visit this house whenever I got two days’ leave during my degree days. She was very happy when all of us came together. We talked a lot, had food together, and practiced the programs for the marriage reception. The marriage ceremony and the reception were really enjoyable. We all had a wonderful time with family and cousins, though we missed a few who were busy with their examinations.

After all the programs, we started our journey back home, carrying many beautiful moments in our minds  that can be cherished forever.