108706 km divided by 2

I, after coming to Madras, am paying visit to my native place – Vizag - once a month. Mode of transport …“gareebon ka hawai jahag”… I do not have to mention, of course, that they represent our country India in true spirit.

But I was very much different from my usual self while traveling last week. Keenly observing everybody n everything that could be fodder for my … paparazzi is kick-ass man…

Had plenty of time while going home but slept for 10 Hrs on my return journey spanning 12 Hrs. I hate to be at work after coming from home. That very thought makes me sick – sure many would agree with that – just imagine - a place where everything is as you wanted it to be …cant have everything … that’s the beauty of life…

I always prefer reaching the station at least 30 min early. Did so this time as well. As it was a long weekend there was huge crowd. Took 10 min to get to a standing box where I have to feed my PNR No: to get my ticket status. Sigh of relief! No need to worry I said to myself as I got my ticket confirmed 20 min before the departure.

As my, most teasing, hope of sharing an RAC berth with a hot babe was looking at me pitiably from a dustbin I walked hurriedly to S4. My eyes wide open fell on the numbers ranging 32 – 39. No luck this time either I solaced myself. Cursing every possible creature for my royal-stag-ness got in to check my berth you know what strange things might welcome you there. Some times people – old or large family scattered into different coaches – wait for your arrival to tell you have to go to some other coach some other berth. Most of the times I oblige them by accepting their offer by giving rebirth to my … what a looser I am … but I never understood one thing. Why me? Always …

There were almost 15 people in a compartment meant for 8. Rest waiting for TTE. All guys… silence, filtering outside noise, which tells you that you are in a land of mute. Nobody tries to break the ice. Sometimes I get so pissed at that take it onto my shoulder though.

After playing the lead in a 2hr silent movie, finally got my berth all for me.

Ah! That’s when the real Indian drama started. I was not aware of what I was going to get into. An old couple... now we are coming to talkie …

Old lady -> mamma (grandma), old man -> tata (grandpa), me -> looser

Grandma: where are you going?

Looser: Vizag. Innocently… asked her what about you?

Grandpa: intervened and said we are coming from my son’s place, Chennai. We went on a trip to pilgrimage in & around there. Going to Rajahmundry.

Looser: ok. What all places you have been to?

Grandma: we went to kanchipuram, Meenakshi temple and some temples in Chennai itself. There was so much of rush at Meenakshi temple.

Looser: yeah its summer season right

Grandma: this generation does not know how to respect elders at all. There at the temple a kid stepped on my foot & did not even say sorry to me.

Grandpa: my son he, paused for a while, knows in great detail how to behave with elders. When ever he goes out he does “sashtanga dandapranamam” to us. Even my grand son he respects every body.

Looser: got a faint idea of what was happening shut my mouth. Poor me

Grandma: what do you do?

Looser: I work as a softwa… did not even finish

Grandpa: these software people there are one from every house. There are so many engineering colleges in Andhra producing them in lakhs every year. Our government should take some measures to stop that as it is increasing unemployment. We should stop this outsourcing to India. The call centers are spoiling the youth.

Looser: what does your son do?

Grandma: PM in big software MNC. Works very hard you know.

Looser: ok which one? With a naughty you-are-shit look.

Grandpa: wipro.

Looser: that’s great.

Grandpa: he has been working there for the past 12 years. He was in USA for 5 years.

Grandma: my daughter-in-law also works for an MNC. She was in USA too for quite some time. My grand son speaks real good English.

Looser: thanked the dinner time. Was expecting they would go to bed after that so that I can peacefully be myself. They were having roti & avakaya pickle. Grandma offered me some but said no thanks.

They have a strange habit after having dinner. You know what