“So what time is the train?” Amma asked for the nth time. “Oh God! 6pm!. In fifteen minutes we have to leave home, just remember that much!”. “Ok Ok!” she said already tired of the rushing. Soon, Appa, Amma and I were at Salem station, well before time. Appa proudly explained how important it is to arrive early, what if some traffic jam happened and how we may even miss the train! I quietly recorded these ‘gyan’ for my upcoming vlog.
We were travelling by train after a long time. We were heading to Bombay.
“Chalo chalo..S1 is here..walk fast, shut that mobile Swathi!”, Appa glared at me. A happy vlogger little me was not willing to stop, yet I shoved the mobile into the bag and rushed behind him carrying my bag. Amma couldn’t walk fast because of her bag, so I took her bag too and we quickly got into the train. After a minute or two, we were all in our compartment, as the train slowly chugged out of the platform. We counted and rechecked the number of bags that we had, kept it in the allotted place and tied the luggage with the newly purchased chain bought a few minutes ago at the station. All the time Amma was looking for the lock and key which was lying safely in one of the bags but only God knew which bag, so we had quickly purchased a new set!
“I told you to give it to me but you didn’t listen!”, Appa started again.
Just then,
“Chai ChaiChaiiiieh”, came the ‘chaiwala’..the most important vendor in a train journey.
Tea! This is the best part in trains! I continued vlogging.
“Oh God! Where is my mobile?” panicked Amma.
Appa and I got into search mode again!
It turned out that she had left behind her phone at home!!
“It’s like forgetting your child, Amma!”
“So you will finally read that book lying in your handbag for years!” teased Appa.
To cheer her up, I promised to purchase a new one after reaching Bombay.
Amma gave a beautiful smile and served us delicious snacks that she had packed for the train journey. Looking at Appa, she said, “If I had forgotten this, you would be the most disappointed!”
“Yes yes, my dear!” he acknowledged thankfully.
After a few hours, our train stopped at a big station. I was busy vlogging. Suddenly I spotted Amma getting down the train. I froze for a second and then rushed behind her, “Amma Amma”. Amma looked so lost. I quickly got her inside and we returned back to our seats.
While she rested in her berth, sitting close to her, I typed down my query to ‘Gemini’ and with bated breath waited for the response.
My worst fear came true!..
I couldn’t control my tears as I read the first few lines that flashed on my mobile screen..
These are clear signs of Early stages of Alzheimer’s!
