Sunday 14 May 2017

People maketh People!


There were packed bags and filled water bottles at the door. And when I asked everybody at home about the bags, “They are for your uncle. He is travelling to Rajasthan for work” said my avva and tucked me in the bed and slept next to me like always.

I was relieved on realising that those bags did not belong to her. Which means she wasn’t going anywhere. With that good feeling, I held onto avva and slept peacefully. The next morning, I woke up to something very heart breaking. I was alone in my bed. Avva had disappeared and so had the bags.

Maybe she went to the railway station to see off my uncle. Maybe she went for a morning walk while my uncle left on his work related trip. I was still unsure. I tried having a discussion with people at home but nobody bothered explaining the 5-year-old.

But by evening, I had clarity. Avva was travelling to Kaashi with her brother and his wife. My heart sank and all I did was have a countdown for the 14 days. I was all eyes for her arrival.

A couple of years later, I identified a trend. She travelled somewhere every October or November. She takes a trip each year! Wow!

And she smartly booked early morning train tickets so she could get away with my crying and “no! you cannot leave me and go!” warnings.

Though this was hard on me, she always made it worth it. She always bought me pretty frocks, dresses and a few extra toys. As the last one of all grand children, I had that privilege.

And as a December born, clothes from Gaya, UP, Kashmir, Darjeeling and Kanyakumari is what I wore on my birthdays.

20 years later, while I pack my bags or sort my tickets, she cannot help but say few things…

“Don’t miss having a meal at the Langar. And eat the halwa too. It’ll be piping hot. The Golden temple is beautiful. I’ve gone there”

“Kasol? What is that? I’ve just gone to Shimla in Himachal. Take a lot of warm clothes and go”

“You remember your red birthday frock with checks? I got it from Darjeeling only. I paid 280 bucks. Go have fun, it’s a nice place”

“I had gone to Pondicherry with your grand father. We sat on the beach and ate chenna. Just 1 rupee back then” she laughs

Her tips are as precious as her.

My grand dad was not a lover of travelling. So she chose to leave him back and go on her own. She travelled with different groups and she has stories to share. Now I know why I love travelling the way I do.


Basically, we are all people made of other people. And I am proudly my avva.