1-2-2009!

Weekends often mean a trip to my native place, and so was the last one. Though this time such a trip was after many weekends…and the cause simply was the hectic college schedules or acha’s overtime. But finally after a month or so we were again visiting our dear ones. Weekends had always helped us to boost our morale and spirits coz being with people whom you know always makes you feel happy and at ease….but this time though I didn’t feel the same refresh ness. Somewhere down there I felt lonely, out of place ….I guess the reason was simply that I missed my ammayi….I am so used to her chirpy laugh and cheery talks that when I found her presence engulfed within a framed photo I couldn’t resist the rising tears in my eyes and left me with a heavy heart .A house which steamed with noises and laughs, after ammayi’s death  , resembles a haunted house where you could even listen to the small pin forgotten in some corner make its presence felt by its fall .All this was disturbing ….but when u have a couple of small cousins in and around you ,you cant afford to remain sober all the time and soon enough I was playing along with them and smiling at their silly fights and cute faces .But ammayi’s place will remain vacant for the years to come…and ill miss you ammayi …always……

 

With a sneak peak in and around all the houses and making our car’s dickey heavy with coconuts and chakka[jackfruit] ,we turned our wheels back to kochi . Reached here at around 8, amma was not in a good mood …don’t know why and so I was entrusted the duty to make kanji[rice gruel] . I placed the cooker with its contents on the stove and accompanied the rest watching “welcome to sajjanpur”. After some time I heard amma complaining from the kitchen that the water in the cooker was not sufficient and grumbling that I don’t know anything and stuff…lol…Soon enough she too was engrossed in the movie. At around 8:45 she asked me to check if the cooker was making whistles ,I popped up from my seat and went into the kitchen…..I heard the cooker making soft whistles ,but then I saw that the lid was not properly closed ….I just tried to tighten it by adjusting  its position ….and then all what I remember is a “thud” noise and the steamy hot substances all over me…..I couldn’t  guess what was happening as I had almost lost senses …. I screamed achaa….and I saw all three of them rush towards me … I was rushed to the shower ….I couldn’t breath  not coz of the water pouring over me…but just the sheer thought of what had happened just now kept me gasping for breath as if a nightmare had haunted my sleep. Amma was beside me consoling and praying ….I constantly checked my face with my palms to ensure that the skin was intact …. the cool water from the shower kept falling on my face….all this was not enough when…my sis rushes and says that…”acha has slipped over the rice and he is lying motionless on the floor”! At this I couldn’t control myself and burst out along with my mother to the kitchen I found acha on the floor …un able to move….we rushed toward him…amma shook him…but he was in a shock and just kept looking….but as soon as he saw me…he came back to senses …I cried aloud saying…”acha I am fine…don’t worry!” And we both made him stand up….By this time my sis had rushed to our neighbours and they were their to help!...

 

Iwas still made to sit in the shower for about an hour …until I started shivering. My sis applied the honey all over my face and neck which our neighbours had given …so as to prevent the burns…though the heat was reduced I could still feel the hot steams over my face and neck…Acha was fine…but was left with a small bump on his head which was a result of the hard fall…..The skin on my forehead looked dark and red I kept rubbing ice cubes over it…a part of skin over my neck was gone…and was sure to leave a scar…! At around 11 when all the chaos had settled a  bit…acha said he’ll take me to the hospital for the first aid…and I was taken to the medical centre of our company and was greeted with a amicable doctor…he said the burns were fine…don’t worry…and prescribed for some medicines…and some dressing …and yes also a tetanus injection…which left my hand with a pain for days …lol…And soon I was home…at 12 we ate the fresh gruel made by my amma and were ready to sleep……

 

 

One week has gone since this incident …but still I get tremors and find myself gasping for breath when I think of it. Even now when I hear the cooker whistle I get frightened and close my eyes…the fear has gotten into me…with all the calamity that was caused I still believe god was with me…with whose grace things didn’t turn too serious …I don’t have any scar on my face apart from a few dark spots here and there …which has almost vanished by now…the only serious scar is on my neck….which has almost dried…but will need a few months for complete recovery! Ahem … What should I say…it’s a day I don’t want to remember again…but then I wanted to fight my fear out …and so thought of penning in down….for once and for all!...And I am actually feeling good now…this full week i was at home resting , relaxing and recovering from this pain…and now I feel rejuvenated…and back to normal with my skin fresh and new....what remains is the scar on my neck …which will soon fade off [I hope so!]

 

 

Thank you god for being with me…and protecting me from the worst situations. Be with me always …always….!:)