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( 20 )
It was under the supervision of the Great Aunt of the Puthiyaveettil House that the wedding feast of uncle Yohannan was prepared. I remember the bride, Sicily, coming to grandfather's house. I cannot remember anything more about uncle Yohannan's marriage. It was in one of those days that an announcement was made in the class which stated that a tour was planned for the students to Malampuzha and those who are interested can register their names to Paulose Sir. When I informed this news at home, the reaction of my parents really made me wonder - struck. My mother said to everyone,"a tour programme is arranged in Diya's school. We will allow her to go because we know how interesting it will be to participate in an excursion." In those times, Malampuzha in Palakkad district was the major tourist destination for the schools all over Kerala. In the bus, the Teacher encouraged us to sing songs. One song was like this : -
Up up Kadayiruppu,
Chalo chalo Malampuzha,
Up up Kadayiruppu,
Chalo chalo Malampuzha.
Chalo is a Hindi word which means 'let's go'. Shiju, who studied in Std VI, and the son of my father's friend, David, sang each line and every others repeated it blindly. The Dam and the amusement park were the main attractions in Malampuzha. Today, I remember only this much about that tour programme. By that time, the celebrations of school anniversary had come. A large stage was built and there was enough space for students, guardians and all the local people to watch the performances.
Before the anniversary function, the Sports competition was conducted. This time, I couldn't escape because there was no space to hide. As the Vth Std students were the new comers, the Physical Education Teacher made everyone run to understand our talents. When my group took part in the competition, I was the last one to finish. I became happy. All the tension was relieved. I was surprised when I saw Lakshmi, with a group of others, performing a groupsong in the Arts competition. The school Annual Day began at about 05.00 p.m. and lasted at about 09.30 p.m. There were different dance performances by various students. "When did they practice all these? " , I wondered.
I was approaching the end of that academic year. Who stood 1st in studies ? 'Juby', that was her name. Where was my position ? My memory is totally hidden from that fact. I remember that aunt Laly was living with us for a few days. One day, after having dinner, I started to go to the next room from the kitchen. It was at that moment that I noticed one thing - my mother's belly was swollen up. Then I exclaimed, "mother's belly is swollen up". Hearing this, everyone laughed in a special manner. I forgot that incident at once. Several days passed. Oneday, when I got up, I couldn't see either my mother or my father. Aunt Laly said to me and to my brother that our mother had been taken to hospital for delivery and there was a baby inside her belly. Hearing the news, I was really shocked. She will come with a new baby ! Why didn't I know this earlier ! All my dreams had been shattered. I had many dreams about my family. Till then in my family, I and my younger brother were there as children. In Reena's house and in Anu's house, there were two children. I was disappointed because now my family would be out from this ideal family system which I had conceived secretly in my mind.
( 20 )
It was under the supervision of the Great Aunt of the Puthiyaveettil House that the wedding feast of uncle Yohannan was prepared. I remember the bride, Sicily, coming to grandfather's house. I cannot remember anything more about uncle Yohannan's marriage. It was in one of those days that an announcement was made in the class which stated that a tour was planned for the students to Malampuzha and those who are interested can register their names to Paulose Sir. When I informed this news at home, the reaction of my parents really made me wonder - struck. My mother said to everyone,"a tour programme is arranged in Diya's school. We will allow her to go because we know how interesting it will be to participate in an excursion." In those times, Malampuzha in Palakkad district was the major tourist destination for the schools all over Kerala. In the bus, the Teacher encouraged us to sing songs. One song was like this : -
Up up Kadayiruppu,
Chalo chalo Malampuzha,
Up up Kadayiruppu,
Chalo chalo Malampuzha.
Chalo is a Hindi word which means 'let's go'. Shiju, who studied in Std VI, and the son of my father's friend, David, sang each line and every others repeated it blindly. The Dam and the amusement park were the main attractions in Malampuzha. Today, I remember only this much about that tour programme. By that time, the celebrations of school anniversary had come. A large stage was built and there was enough space for students, guardians and all the local people to watch the performances.
Before the anniversary function, the Sports competition was conducted. This time, I couldn't escape because there was no space to hide. As the Vth Std students were the new comers, the Physical Education Teacher made everyone run to understand our talents. When my group took part in the competition, I was the last one to finish. I became happy. All the tension was relieved. I was surprised when I saw Lakshmi, with a group of others, performing a groupsong in the Arts competition. The school Annual Day began at about 05.00 p.m. and lasted at about 09.30 p.m. There were different dance performances by various students. "When did they practice all these? " , I wondered.
I was approaching the end of that academic year. Who stood 1st in studies ? 'Juby', that was her name. Where was my position ? My memory is totally hidden from that fact. I remember that aunt Laly was living with us for a few days. One day, after having dinner, I started to go to the next room from the kitchen. It was at that moment that I noticed one thing - my mother's belly was swollen up. Then I exclaimed, "mother's belly is swollen up". Hearing this, everyone laughed in a special manner. I forgot that incident at once. Several days passed. Oneday, when I got up, I couldn't see either my mother or my father. Aunt Laly said to me and to my brother that our mother had been taken to hospital for delivery and there was a baby inside her belly. Hearing the news, I was really shocked. She will come with a new baby ! Why didn't I know this earlier ! All my dreams had been shattered. I had many dreams about my family. Till then in my family, I and my younger brother were there as children. In Reena's house and in Anu's house, there were two children. I was disappointed because now my family would be out from this ideal family system which I had conceived secretly in my mind.
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