HUMOUR IN REAL LIFE

A.K.RAMAN

It happened about two decades ago. One fine morning, I found myself standing in front of Chennai central Railway station totally confused not knowing where to go. In fact my younger brother was getting married the next day and I had come all the way from Calcutta to attend the marriage at Chennai. The marriage being a three-day ceremony was starting that evening. My younger sister was living at Chennai and all the family were to assemble in her house and move to the marriage hall together. My younger brother was working in Railways and was part of the reservation staff at Egmore station at that time.
Then why confused? I was not in possession of the address of the marriage hall or that of my sister’s house. Being absent minded I could not even remember the place where her house was situated. The journey from Calcutta in Howra-Chennai mail was pleasant and I was excited to meet all my family members. I was planning jokes to share with and things to catch up with. I was so excited that I woke up at about 4.00 a.m. feeling restless as the train was nearing the station. Suddenly despair gripped me as I remembered that I had forgotten to bring the invitation card bearing the address and other relevant details and my diary carrying all my relatives’ addresses.
Thus I was standing in front of the station without a clue how to proceed. Ignoring the pestering taxi and auto drivers, I went to the coffee bar and ordered coffee. I decided to use the deductive in me. It was about 7.00 a.m. Going to my native place and coming back was not possible as it was about three hundred kilometers away south. Some how I have to recollect the address of at least one place. I was in a real fix. The sight of a mini-bus plying passengers from central station to Egmore station gave me an idea. Instead of wasting time at central, I decided to go to Egmore. All the trains from south terminate there and chances of meeting some relative were brighter there. I hopped in the bus and occupied a seat thinking again.
Egmore was sparsely crowded and musing deeply, I glanced at the huge clock in the plat form 1. It was showing 10.05 a.m. and I realized that time was running out fast. I had to be in the marriage hall by 2.00 p.m. and still I could not recollect anything. On an impulse I went inside the reservation office to venture for some known face. Lady luck smiled at me there. A cool voice greeted me and a lady was waving at me. Even though I could not fix her I responded cheerfully. I told her jokingly that I had come all the way from Calcutta to remind them about my younger brother’s marriage. Encouraged by her welcome smile, I fished for a clue.
“ Can you tell me where all my family members are assembling?” I queried.
“ At your Pammal sister’s house.” She replied.
Pammal-Pammal is the place. I was relieved. Thanking her repeatedly, I boarded a local train to Pammal. Once inside I realized that the relief was only partial. My sister had moved from Red Hills to Pammal two years back. I had visited her house only once. Without knowing the address or at least the name of the street, it would be mockery to hire a taxi or auto. The last trip was in an auto and hence I could only recollect some hoardings faintly. Some how I have to fend my way I told myself. Otherwise I decided to go to the police station. My brother-in-law was in police. Going there would be a lot easier though it would be very embarrassing to explain my predicament to others, if I could not find him. I would cut a sorry figure if he had left for the marriage already. I needed a lot of luck, I told myself.
Slowly I dragged myself through the road, searching for familiar corners, signs and hoardings. Luck smiled at me again. Turning an unfamiliar corner, I found myself in front of her house. Instinctively I looked at the door and was greatly relieved not to find a lock dangling outside. I pressed the doorbell as if my life was dependent on it. Instantly the door opened and my sister’s face appeared behind it. In fact she was waiting for her hubby who was late in getting permission. I thanked his authorities for not giving permission early within my mind. Otherwise I would have missed my dearest brother’s marriage and would have spent all the day wandering in the streets like a mad man.
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