A
Journal Entry: 1435
hrs 02.03.2013
In the
Gorakhpur - Trivandrum Rapti Sagar Express. The train is yet to
leave Alleppey. Standing at the door of a sleeper compartment, I
watch a bald, old porter in a red shirt and lungi taking my bicycle
along to the Break Van at the rear of the train. I look at my
bicycle, moving along with the man, clattering and shivering, but
tame, tame like a baby elephant walking with its mahoot. I look my
bicycle which has served me so well during the last one and a half
years of stay at Alleppey. This inexplicable sorrow wells up, along
with tender love for the bicycle. How silly I am! Yet how much I owe
to that piece of steel and rubber ! The early morning rides on my
bicycle is what kept me sane and happy in this place. Not a single
tyre puncture all these months. Somebody stole the 6 speed gear unit
one day, yet we managed to ride on.
My
days at Alleppey is coming to an end. I will leave the service of
Punjab National Bank after a stint of 32 years, 4 months and 28
days, on 28.03.2013. I have about 38 days leave left in credit, so I
will absent myself on sick grounds for the next 3 weeks, report back
on 25th March and work till 28th, to an unceremonious retirement. It
is VRS, so there will not be any bank-sponsored tamashas; I have
already warned my colleagues that I won't accept any parting gifts;
maybe we will sit together and they might say how glad they were to
have worked with me and I will make corresponding noises. It remains
a fact though, that I had loved all my colleagues in this branch - we
had the best working atmosphere, compared to all the branches I have
worked in my long career. I will miss them.
The
train leaves the station. The passing scenes are so familiar. Each
is etched on my mind. I move from the known, the familiar to the
unknown and unfamiliar. I do not know what future will hold for
me; not that I knew, but like the train that now change tracks, I too
am changing my worn tracks. I do not fear, I do not dread the new,
but I calmly wait with an open mind to accept whatever life would
bestow on me.
*************
Balachandran
V, in train from Alleppey to Trivandrum, 02.03.2013A
The cycle, I would like to believe, is a symbol. May it take you to greener, calmer pastures as you’re about to leave the dreary monotonous path you’d been treading. Once again, all the best, sir, have a good time.
ReplyDelete@Arun: Thanks, Anil, I sure will! :-)
ReplyDeleteBalan, welcome!!! (Am already feeling like a retired man. It feels good!)
ReplyDeleteI guess this is where life begins. Wishing you the very best!
ReplyDelete@Venu: Great!
ReplyDelete@RGB: Yes, RGB, finally! :-)
I am sure you are looking ahead for that wonderful time with your family, Sally and Sancho and your other interests.
ReplyDeleteI so so loved that header photograph Balan. The calf is so adorable, such a darling. Lucky one you are to have got the calf's adoration
I can't stop looking at the photo. Look at the way you two are smiling. Both are so comfortable with each other!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your retirement period :) now its completely you and only you time :)
ReplyDeleteA feel of sincere warmth surrounded me as I went through this piece.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures, particularly the first two added to the warmth.
Wish you are having a wonderful time with your family.
@Insignia: That picture! You don't know the half of it; nor can I tell you about the bliss I experienced. I will post about it soon!
ReplyDelete@Remya: Yup, Remya, Inshallah, I will make good use of time from now on! Thanks for dropping by!
@Ruprekha: Thanks! What do call it, this feeling, an equal mixture of joy and sorrow?
All wishes for your retirement period...
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing...