In the memory of Chintha Ravi uncle

Dad's group of friends were never strangers to us,unlike few other malayalee families where the men of the house would hang out with their friends,would be away late at night,but the wife and kids wouldn't know the man's circle of friends,his close friends,and the likes.For us it wasn't just quite different,but it was a lot different from other families.As a typical journalist's kids we grew up,My sister and I were involved in every phase my father passed,as a journalist,his friends,his colleagues,his admirers and fans and the outside world.

My mother who has always been a very social person ,never set curfews for my dad,since she believed he knew his limits,and his close friends were close to her as well.When I heard the news of Ravi uncle's demise,the pictures of our medical college flat,the ash trays lying around,the mess there,it all started playing in my mind like a horrifying video,shot after shot,each clip playing an replaying.Ravi uncle used to live in our medical college apartment,for a period of time,that apartment was more of a bachelor's playground,where there were married men discussing journalism and other topics over drinks and cigarettes,my dad's hangout zone it was,press club wouldn't stand a comparison.My mom never cribbed about cleaning the mess,since she knew how important those people were in dad's life.OK Johny uncle,Ravi uncle,Pradeep uncle and many others who visited often.

I fall short of words to express how he connected so well with my dad,and never would I be able to even explain his greatness verbally,he was like family .I was a small kid when 'Endae Keralam' used to be telecasted on Asianet,but I feel like I saw the programme only yesterday.Medical college apartment is still there,tenants from IT companies occupy it,they pay the cheque on the first day of every month,and that is all we know about it.

I can tell you how blessed I am ,to have met such a lovely person in my life.

He was a man with a lot of thoughts,a man who wished he could do a lot more,but that is destiny,he died before fulfilling many of those wishes.The memories he left behind will hold us through,all our lives.I still feel incomplete,and want to write more,but I just can't get the flow here..just cant seem to.

A walk away

He wakes up in the morning with great difficulty,turns to his side and sigghss.. "Ahh! my baby.your walks in the morning I dislike,you know how i long to see you when I open my eyes."

The man sits up in bed,yawns a bit..and thinks..can I sleep for some more time..Its been a long night..my baby sure keeps me awake to share a few words,however long the day has been for her,she loves the little cribbing I do before the lights are off,and sure does know how to keep me awake even in the dark.(the man smiles as he thinks of it).With eyes half closed,he walks up to the kitchen to make his cup of coffee,(in his mind..Yes darling.I know you like green tea,as part of your latest health regime.So then I thought I'll have green tea as well.You'll be surprised to see me sip that eeky green liquid just to keep you company).

After placing the kettle of green tea and two cups on the table in the sitting room,he walks towards the backyard,and sees the little plants that have faded.the flowers that are yet to bloom.He cribs (Honey ! I told you,please don't keep those plants if you don't have time to look after them.They are not independent ,unlike me) he giggles on the thought of how 'dependent' he actually is.After a walk in the backyard ,he picks up a red rose,and gets inside,searching for a knife to chop those thorns of.In his mind (Oh yes ladyy..I am a romantic man.You'll see that today,but please don't expect your favourite tracks playing as you walk in.You know how I love silence in the morning.he he)

The man hears the door bell and says "Ah! there she is!" He opens the door to see the newspaper next to the door mat.He picks it up,and runs through the pages(not wanting to waste time on world news,when he's awaiting his wife's arrival to give her company for tea.Yes he gets the page.The page that he completely dedicated to his wife,on her first death anniversary.He places the cup of green tea and red rose on the paper...moves his fingers over her picture ,and with a release of a deep sigh,he wets the page with his tears.He says "Its your first death anniversary baby,and you look as pretty as ever in my dreams,the bed still looks like how you leave it and go for your walks in the morning,you are still in my heart honey.Just a walk away"(in the background plays: his wife's favourite track)