The family of Vinay was financially growing big with his
father’s Middle East income along with his mother’s secured job. Naturally,
like the usual upper middle class Indian family thinks, vinay's parents also
decided to have an aditional income. They thought of some business which would
give an income on a daily basis and also would engage uncle ranjith rather
doing the household chores all the time.
Finally it was ranjith uncle's suggestion of getting a truck
for the family as trucks were in huge demand across Cochin for carrying sand,
building stones, gravel and many other building items. But, it was vinay's
father's thought that brought the suggestion into reality. He dreamt of being
called as a truck owner as that tag had some value in the small town of
tripunithura. And to everyone's surprise, vinay's father decided to get 2
trucks and decided to make the TRUCK OWNER tag a little bit heftier.
Anyways, Vinay was fully excited seeing 2 trucks in front of
his house. One track had his name and the other had his sister’s name. This
incident became the talk of the town. The status of the family in tripunithura
was raised a little more higher. This incident even led to a better and
resonant interest and concern from the neighbors towards vinay's family.
Vinay got busy talking about the trucks among his friends
and also to everyone who just appeared in front of him. He was flying high when
all the neighbors started recognizing him as the truck owner’s son. That was an
over the top feeling for him.
He still remembers the day when both of the trucks were
taken to the famous church of St. George in Edapally for the vehicle blessing
ceremony. He was sitting fully charged and thrilled in his own truck and was
also amazed to see ranjith uncle driving one of the trucks. He looked at him
proudly whenever he turned the big truck wheel especially at long curves. Vinay
also imagined himself driving the huge vehicle.
The day was followed by a fun filled photo session.
Sanjeeth, whom the kids called sajichachan had come from their hometown,
kottayam. He was ranjith uncle’s brother. He was around 24 years old. Vinay was
deeply thinking if Sanjeeth was ranjith uncle’s brother, then whose brother
could be ranjith uncle. He could recollect once he was told by his mother that
ranjith uncle was her brother. However, one more person was added to vinay''s
house for a short span of time. The photo session made Vinay to dress up in his
most favorite clothes and he was standing exuberantly in front of the huge
truck for giving his best pose. End of the day, sajichachan gave him a new name
called APPACHE INDIAN (renowned Indian pop singer during the 90s) of
tripunithura.
Vinay was eagerly waiting for his next ride in the truck.
Days passed by, ranjith uncle got too busy with the truck business and
sajichachan also joined him. Both were so busy that they returned home only at
night. Even though it is late night, ranjith uncle would continue to be busy in
counting notes, settling the payment with the truck driver and the truck
cleaner. The truck cleaner had a funny name called Supran. He was dark and
short. Ranjith uncle used to tell that he was very loyal and it was quiet
difficult to get such a loyal worker as cleaner those days.
Supran once came home to meet uncle with a huge sack in his
hand. Vinay peeped into it and was surprised to see a puppy in it. Later he got
to know that it was a German shepherd and also came to know that ranjith uncle
sold the puppy to somebody and shared the profit of it with supran.
Let's come back to vinay's truck ride. One Sunday morning,
ranjit uncle asked vinay whether he wants to go with him in the truck. He also assured
him that they would be back in the evening itself before vinay's mother gets
upset. Vinay was amazed to hear that. Without any delay he finished his
breakfast, his shower and got ready for the ride. Uncle was accompanied by his
loyal staff supran and a new truck driver.
Vinay was enjoying the ride and was giving a silly smile at
the two wheelers and the small cars that went passed by the truck. He waved his
hand on those who were on bicycles and sniggered at them. He pasted a prolonged
smile on his face and never talked till he reached the place. He could not even
listen to what uncle was talking to him.
The truck stopped near a lake which was little inside from
the main road. The place was serene and had trees everywhere. Vinay also
saw, 3-4 trucks which were parked little faraway. The place was windy
too. He could also see few women washing clothes in a lake near to the trucks.
Ranjith Uncle took him to a shop along with supran and
driver. Outside the shop it was written “Kallu” (Toddy- local drink made out
from coconut tree).
Uncle waved at a guy asking for 3 bottles of Toddy. The
truck driver intervened by saying “just 2”, as he didn't want to drink. In
fact, he had the valid reason of driving the big vehicle by himself while going
back. Uncle and supran smirked at him.
Uncle then asked the supplier to get 4 plates of kappa
(tapiocca) and 3 plates of fish curry and then he winked at vinay. The table
was then served with the delicious food items. Uncle gave vinay one plate of
kappa and one plate of fish curry and he decided to share the other 2 plates of
fish curries with supran and the driver. Supran was gulping the toddy as if he
was thirsty for years and vinay was just staring at him. Uncle finished one
glass and asked vinay with a sly face, “do you want?”Vinay grinned at him.
Ranjith uncle then slowly pushed a half glass of kallu
towards vinay which he drank instantly. He just winced after that. Uncle smiled
at the bitterness of his face. Vinay then nibbled the kappa along with the fish
curry. He liked it very much and he finished it soon. He then strolled out of
the toddy shop and gazed through the place. He liked the lake so much and tried
throwing few stones to skip it through the top of the lake. He then talked
something to the women who were still washing their huge bundles of clothes.
Vinay then climbed a Guava tree near to the lake and sat there for few minutes
talking to himself.
Few moments later, he noticed few kids fishing on the other
side of the lake and he walked towards them. The boys had a small pot with
little water in it and full of small fishes moving around. He asked a big boy
whether he could also try catching a fish.
“Not for kids”, the big boy blurted out. The other tiny boys
tittered at him.
Vinay was disappointed and frowned at them. He then sat
there on his haunches watching them fishing. After a long time, he saw from far
away that uncle was walking towards him waving his hands at him. Before he
could run to him vinay kicked the pot and the whole fish fell out on the sand which
the boys could not notice at that time. He felt relieved doing so. He then ran
towards his uncle.
Vinay was completely satisfied with the day. Had a ride in
the truck, saw a new place, tasted kallu and finally was happy to kick down the
fish pot.
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