The other day, I had to go to the bank near the Government Secretariat. Around the Secretariat, there’s always some protest or violent sloganeering. Even though I’ve lived here my whole life, it doesn’t matter—now I can’t even drive my own car there safely. No place to park without worry.
If I do park, someone might crash into it 🏃, or protesters might throw stones and smash it 🏃, or the police might damage it out of anger toward protesters 🏃. I’ve seen all this chaos up close. Instead, I took the bus from home. The electric bus took two hours to reach the Secretariat bus stop—right when protests usually start. A big crowd of journalists was already waiting. I got off at the bus stop near the statue of Diwan Thanjavur Madhava Rao 🧑🦯. That area is nicknamed "Statue" because of it. In my youth, I spent evenings here with friends, sitting near the statue’s steps or the Secretariat’s compound walls ⛹️. We’d go to Indian Coffee House at Spencer Junction for mutton cutlets, masala dosa, and coffee before heading home 🧑🦼. But after actors like Mohanlal, Menaka Suresh, and Priyadarshan rose to fame, legal issues over rent led to the building being demolished 🧑
The electric bus ride was smooth 🧜—no noise, no shaking passengers, just slow movement through the city 🧑🦼. It took two hours to reach the Statue. The bank was crowded 🧎. While waiting for my turn, someone approached me, laughing 🧑🦼. I looked up—it was Kuruvila Sir 🧑🦯. He used to be an Additional Secretary in the Law Department. Retired for 12 years, he lives near Palayam Bakery Junction. I’ve been to his house 🚶.
His daughter lives in Ireland, and his son works in Delhi’s Intelligence Bureau 🚶. He asked me for homeopathic medicine details for his grandkids in Ireland, who often fall sick 🚶. We became good friends. As I finished at the bank, he rushed over to ask if homeopathy works for piles (hemorrhoids) 🏌️. I asked, *“For whom?”* 🚶.
He said it’s for his wife. I asked if there’s bleeding 🏌️. He confirmed, so I explained remedies and hurried to the bus stop ⛹️. I caught a bus to Kachottil, then waited for another. Exhausted and drenched in sweat ⛹️, I hate sweating—it forces me to shower with heated water to feel fresh 🧎. Home wasn’t far, but auto drivers here overcharge, so I waited for the bus ⛹️.Nearby, under a big tree, there were cement benches for waiting passengers ⛹️. A heavyset woman sold lottery tickets under a beach umbrella ⛹️. Shops nearby looked unclean 🧑🦯. Across the road were better shops, but I avoided them. A seat freed up, so I sat 🏃. The man next to me smiled like he knew me 🏃. I smiled back 🤾. He looked around 60 🚶—unkempt white stubble, wrinkled mundu, and a faded shirt. He kept scribbling in a notepad and using an old Nokia phone 🚶. Curious, I stared. He noticed and grinned 🚶. He asked my job and name 🚶. I answered. I asked his age 🤸. He began: “I’m 70, sir 🚶. Worked loading goods for 38 years. Now, I can’t board buses without help—my legs ache and shake 🚶. I live near Chirayinkeezh Railway Station. My uncle was actor G.K. Pillai 🚶. My daughter’s husband drives for an Arab in Saudi 🚶. My younger son, 28, works as a driver in Qatar 🚶. They won’t let me work, but I still come here. When KSRTC buses arrive, I guide trucks to load goods. They pay me ₹50 per truck…”* 🏌️.
He stood, adjusting his mundu (cloth) 🏌️. That’s when I saw his metal walking stick behind him 🏌️ I picked it up, wondering if I’ll need one someday 🌹 Despite life’s struggles, I’ve endured. I handed it back, thinking of my son urging me to walk again after my stroke 🌹As my bus arrived, I left, reflecting on time’s passage 🔴
PalayamNizar Ahamed
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Palayam Nizar Ahamed(M.Nizar Ahamed) writer| Journalist |Blogger| Editor-in-Chief |Flash News Bulletindaily|Flash news, investigative reports & editorial writings Author:Palayam Nizar Ahamed(M.Nizar Ahamed) writer| Journalist |Blogger| Editor-in-Chief |Flash News Bulletindaily|Flash news, investigative reports & editorial writings
**These are all my literary works in my mother tongue, translated into English by myself. Please let me know if my readers enjoy these news and articles; That will make me happy. Even if you criticize the shortcomings of my writing, it will inspire my future works.
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