Cut 1 – October 25, 2019 10 pm

Adimali is a wonderful town, it is just 3 hours drive from Kochi. We, cousins and all relatives had arrived for the wedding of my Uncle’s daughter. It was a huge gathering as my Uncle is a known personality in Adimali town and Aunti being a retired School Principal, had lot of invitees for the pre-eve wedding function on 25th. My mom has five brothers and one sister. Of this the Adimali Uncle is the youngest and all the Big Bosses had arrived with family…. After the usual hugs and gossips and food and a lot of dance rounds, soon it was time to disperse. Everyone slowly moved out to respective homes/rooms by 10.30 pm. In Kerala, women folk will not seen out on the roads that late. Also “Bride has to sleep early” was the logic… but cousins don’t get to meet often and we had arrived for the wedding, not to sleep. I didn’t want to call it a night and said lets go change and then comfortably sit down and “gup marro”. It was decided we will meet at one of the large rooms. … we had three generations for that sitting. My maasi, her kids, and their kids – similarly for others too!! Most active three boys amongst us were Prakash, Aji, Akku. I said… “look you guys bring on the drinks and eats .. we will all sit together..” They agreed but it looked they had some other plans. Chechi aap log baitho – hum abhi aa rahe hai… said Aji. (Few of us are born and bought up in North India so we talk in Hindi) Most of us were meeting after years .. and this wedding was most awaited so it was fun to catch up. But the three musketeers were absent.. and we fretted – where are they !! By 11.30 pm, Prakash and gang returned with drinks and lots of omlettes, chicken dishes and lot of appams. That was one night of real masti.. It was my son-in-law’s first gathering with relatives from our side. I was very happy. .. travelling in the beautiful green locales of Adimali, breathing the pleasant air, and a company that was alive. Thanks to these boys…

Cut 2 – October 26, 2019, 2 pm

The wedding is over, we had our lunch and we had wonderful photos with the beautiful Adimali greenery. When I look back, the moments spent in the open, with the huge waterfall in the background stand out. Most of us relatives were saying bye.. I remember asking Prakash to come to Bhilai. He said ” Sure Chechi, let me plan” in his usual jolly laughter and easy going attitude.

Cut 3 – September 30, 2020, 11.30 am

I got a phone call from my sister saying Prakash met with an accident and it seems the worst has happened!! Prakash was driving with his wife and Father-in-Law, had been on the road for the night it seems. The hows and whys are not clear but we lost this young man in the accident. His kids (two boys) were at home and didnt know anything. All of a sudden, the cocoon of warmth and security vanished from their lives..

Cut 4 – October 10, 2020, 11.30 am

My mother calls her brother – Prakash’s father .. tries to build some courage for the loss is simply huge. A lifetime cannot fill the void. Ammavan (Uncle) is a very learned man and he understands life.. and says ” Chechi I will sure become strong for the boys my son has left behind… but whatever I do will not be enough.” That pain of a father who lost his son, who is now responsible for the grandchildren is profound.

Suddenly, Asha, his wife, has no one to talk about her fears.. is at loss for she cannot remember any thing. .. The one person who would have held her hand at all junctions is now in memories.

Prakash .. as his name – was the light of the family… the one who would laugh out loud and smile easily. Life will go on, and everyone has to complete the time here, some have very short time … Dear brother where ever you are wish you a peace full journey ahead.