Our trip to Kovai

It has been a long time and I wanted to take a break and go out for a small vacation. Rightly came a wedding of one of our relatives at Coimbatore. So I made sure everything was ready and packed for the trip – a little too much planning for a 2 day show I would say!!

Well, the planning was only on the packing part and not on the ticket front. We had only one confirmed ticket and the other one was confirmed the last minute, so obviously in a different compartment. With a confident hope that we can exchange with some co- passengers, we had packed two suitcases. On top of this, Navneeth was down with fever and with a gut feeling it will subside with a crocin, we proceeded to go ahead with the trip. Murali was also confronted with some important official work and there were few skeptical thought on canceling the trip the last minute. But then we boarded the train beleiving all will be well. Myself and Navneeth in one and murali in another distantly located compartment...one suitcase with me and the other with all handy items for Navneeth with him. We assumed we can talk to the TTE and get back traveling together in the next major junction. Sadly, that did not happen. All the planning went for a toss. Navneeth wanted biscuits, water and also a blanket..Nothing did I have. Cuddled him my duppata and luckily managed to have a crocin in my handbag.. The fever was shooting.

Somehow, we managed to reach the wedding hall. Seeing the crowd and all dham dhoom happening in the wedding coupled with the crocin working inside, Navneeth looked happily enjoying the day and so did we.

The evening passed on with a wonderful trip to some enchanting temples. Navneeth was so excited at the elephants in the temple and jumping around happily. On the way back the fever showed up again. As we reached the mandapam back at 8, he was with high fever and drooping eyes. With incessant cries, he clinged to me. The train to Chennai was at 2 pm the next day which meant going to the doctor would delay by more than 1.5 days. Luckily, we happened to get an invite from one of Murali’s relative to stay for the night. Still hoping he will be alright in the morning, I made him some porridge and also gave him a higher dose of crocin, as per the telephonic instruction fro his usual doctor at Chennai..

All of us were too tired and slept for few hours constantly checking his temperature. With no improvement in the morning, dozen of thoughts flashed my mind. First, I thought would check with some doctor at coimbatore, get some emergency medicine for travel. Then the mind was bombarding in all directions- what if he needs some blood test etc to be taken? What if he needs to be hospitalized? With no one known in this city, what if we get stuck here with Navneeth needing more medical attention…

Then came a flashing thought of reaching home safe and soon. We checked for the earliest flight possible and reached home in the afternoon. Meanwhile, had to call my mom and convince her in the best possible way that there is nothing to worry and just that we are coming as a precaution. As if she cant make it out. Still, its all needed right? We try to think we still act smart even in such a chaotic circumstances ..

Then by noon he was declared by the doctor that it was nothing to be worried and just a viral. There was so much relief in our eyes to see Navneeth playing in the night so casual that nothing had ever happened :). It had taken me a week to settle to the normal routine and sit down writing this.

All the relatives and close ones had been so worried and anxious that we somehow felt the wedding mood was drifted. Well, just thinking back on the planning I had done for this trip..Uh? So I once again go back to my policy that planning never works..And as far as the wedding, we did have fun and if not for this incdent, I guess it would not be so memorable!!