My first marathon

I did my first marathon at the age of nine. My school was 10KMs away from my home. It all happened. And whatever happened, happened good.

It was our first day in Class 3. It’s usual in our school that time that the books were distributed on the school re-opening day and that day we had school till noon only. Since I showed enough growth to handle things, my parents had given me money to buy the text books from the office. As usual, we went to class 2. Our old class teacher Mary miss called the names of those who had passed – BTW, all had passed – but it was a practice followed. Then we were taken to our new class and our new teacher was introduced. She took the attendance once again. Then we were talking to each other while waiting for the last bell to ring.

After the race to reach the van, I went upto Chakkappan chettan and told him my intention to go and get my textbooks. He was busy getting other kids into the van. I thought he heard me. He thought I was in the van.

I reached the office and there was a big queue and I had to wait. I got my books, paid for that. There was some change left. Then I reached the parking area and searched for our van. It was gone!! What would I do? I sat there for some time. Since it’s a half day, we don’t bring lunch that day. But I was not so hungry. But as time flew, I started thinking of getting home.

As a kiddo, I have travelled in buses with my parents. But I also knew that there are so many buses which go different places. I had enough money to reach my place by bus. But I dint know which bus to go in. If I go in a wrong bus, I would be somewhere else. Also, in case if anyone come looking for me, how would they see me if I am in a bus? I thought and thought about a safe bet. And I decided to walk down to my home. Since I had travelled 4 years on the same route, I knew the way home. There was another thought that if someone comes looking for me, they could see me walking on the road and can go home with them. Anyway, I started walking.

After our school comes a ladies college. Then, Chalakudy railway station. Near to the railway station was an open area where beggars had tented. Those days also beggars used to kidnap children and disfigure them for begging. I believe, the guardian angel sent by the lord himself had protected me then and till this moment.

I walked the whole way with a plastic bag which had my text books. But by this time, our van reached my place and to Chakkappan chettan’s shock, I was missing. What would he do at this time? Can he go to my home and tell my parents that I am missing? What would be their reaction? He decided to go back to school after he leave other kids who are left in the van.

I was walking coolly. We have a farm house outside our house which is 3 KMs away. And I used to go there with my parents very frequently. So I knew that way too. This way was a short-cut to my home from our school route. But we used to take a different route as there were many other kids from different places. When I had walked around 7 KMs, it was a nearby locality of our farm house. While I was walking, one of our servants, who used to work in our farmhouse, saw me walking and she was puzzled why I was walking. She asked me to go with her and said she will take me home. But I insisted on walking straight to my home. I took the short-cut and reached home safely with my guardian angel.

My parents, grandparents and sisters thought that the classes might be delayed and that’s why I was late. I had this thought in my mind that I would be welcomed as a hero, since I have walked the whole way down home. But it did not happen. Why? They did not believe me when I said I have walked down the whole distance. They thought I was bluffing. As a kid, I was very talkative. And there was no proof for me to prove my point.

Chakkappan chettan went to the school back to look for me without knowing all these. He searched and searched and couldn’t find me. He was so grief stricken and shattered. I cant even imagine such a situation in my life. Someone has entrusted their kid with you and the kid gone missing. Oh god!! He gathered strength and decided to tell this to my parents. After around 2 hours that I reached home, Chakkappan chettan came home. My parents were surprised when he asked for me. They said I am in. Believe me, that would have been his happiest moment in life. Then he said the story of how I went missing and then my parents realized that I really did walk the whole 10KMs down. The next day, our servant also gave statement that she saw me walking down home. Thus was my first marathon.

I remember one of the verse from Bible where the lord says - “I would protect you under my wings; I would protect you like the Apple of my eye”.

Chakkappan chettan

Chakkappan chettan was our driver cum local guardian from the time we leave home till we reach back. Chakkappan chettan had a black Ambassador car in which we used to go to school. Later he bought a STANDARD van – you can see those in old Hindi films of 1970s. During LKG, there were 8 of us total in the car. Later there were many and Chakkappan chettan bought a van.

Chakkappan chettan is a good man with dark skin. He has long hair growing from his ears and has a small black growth on his face. For unknown kids, he might be frightful, but he was very nice – “Appearances can be deceptive”.

As I have mentioned earlier, he was a good driver with good track record. When other drivers used to race, we kids were so sad because Chakkappan chettan’s – rather our – car will be the last. All other vehicles would go past us. But now I realize the way in which he exercised his responsibility. We never had a single accident during our 7 years journey with him, other than some flat tyres.

We had a good time with him. In the evenings, we used to ask him for toffees. Not always, but once in a while he used to buy us ‘jeera-sweet’. In the car, we used to have nick names – mostly given by Chakkappan chettan. I remember names like – “Kumbalanga”, “Mathanga”, “Puzhuppallan” etc. I know, now you want to know my nick name. He heeee. I was called “Vayarony”. Ha haaaaa. Good name na?

Later when we grew up, we stopped going in his van and started our journey in buses. Chakkappan chettan is still alive and kicking. Now he don’t drive as he is aged now. I remember the good old days when I see him.

The tall fat boy and the sweet

One more, tall fat boy whom I was afraid of. During our KG, we had snacks interval by around 11 in the morning. My classmates and I used to bring different snacks and drinks. My amma used to give me nice snacks usually. But once in a while she used to give me ‘ellunda’. And I was not so fond of its taste. There was this boy in my class who used to snatch my ellundas from me. So one day I decided to play a trick on him. I never liked ellunda, but I liked the sweet in it. So before he could snatch the ellundas, I used to put the ellundas in my mouth, water it and squeeze out all sweet and then keep it back in the snacks box. The other boy used to eat it as if nothing has happened. He heeee. I think it continued for a long time till we stopped bringing the snacks box.