It seems only like yesterday , that day when my father came to St.James hostel and the warden sent me down to meet him. I felt something was wrong even before seeing my father's face. Seeing me , he came upto me , held my hands and then broke down into hot tears saying Achachan poyada. I felt rather numb at that time.....I suppose, for that is all I can remember. Achan went into the main warden's room to fill in the form to take me out of the building and if you are a Mallu, you might know who Prof.P C Thomas is and how his hostels are.During this time, I gathered thoughts of Achachan.....the nice person he always was. I could remember my holidays..one of the best days of my life...when I used to stay with them for days together. The number of days shortened as I grew older....but I am sure the love stayed the same....u know it has to...for that is the least i could do for all he was to me . The fight that I had with him, when i was just a kid burst in my mind. His ever-readiness to buy anything and everything for me ,brought tears to my eyes then. The number of times both of us went to the Lazza ice cream parlour next to the High School ground....ah!! those are just brighter pages in the book of memory. The days he used to stay with us, sought after so much arguing( for he was always much concerned about our house at talikulam...he valued all his possessions however big or small it may be ) be it when we were in Kottayam, Chavakkad, Kunnamkulam, Punkunnam or finally Koorkenchery may be just history now but the deeper engravements it has etched in my mind is certainly sturdy to stand the days to come................Let me continue from where I was, for it is tough to get out of the entangled memories. On my way to Talikulam, I gathered more thoughts on him. The last time I met him , I think, was a week before. I remember speaking to him over the phone. Had I the strangest feeling that time that it would be my last conversation over phone with him ?.......no I don't think so. As I stay sobbing in the car, I thought that one day I would be thinking about all this.....today might be the one....who knows .....Even now when I think of him, tears blind me. He , you should know, was one of the best persons who ever lived. He was a good student, a dedicated teacher, a responsible Head-Master, a kind and considerate father and above all....a very loving grand father. Amma always used to say..he ,unlike Ammamma, did not know how to reveal and display his love for others. We could only feel it. His last thoughts were about me and my studies.Vava( my sister ) and I still spend some time before his photo whenever we are at home. I hope the Oblivion's curse never separates me from my Achachan...............
DEDICATED TO ACHACHAN.............LOVING HARIKUTTAN
