Nurungukal...contd...

    There were two or three signal men in the station. Among them Ponnettan was my best friend. He was at the verge of retirement. Still looked healthy. He hailed from Palghat. Could handle Tamil very well. Fair in complexion, he was of medium height. I have never seen him in a bad mood. He took every odd  jovially and made his presence felt in any company he was. He reminded me of one of my relatives in Ponnani, about whom I had made a post in this media. He lived in a quarter adjacent to mine.  When on evening duty he reported sharp by 4 pm. I used to watch the way he polished each and every signal lamp with braszo. The lamps were made of bras and after his touch they will glitter like gold. Even at that age he climbed each and every post to place the lamp adjusting the flame correctly. The green light is emitted when rays of the yellow flame passes through the blue glass of the signals.When there was gap of time in between trains he would come to the station to exchange pleasantries. We longed for his company as the conversation would touch upon at least once on his past life. But never he divulged the odds he surmounted. He was from a rich family but lost every thing due to the bad company his father had. He advised me always to be disciplined. Once in a way we went to the town which was a few miles away, on foot,usually when he was on off duty. On the way he would take excuse  for a few minutes to visit a toddy shop. But I have never seen him crossing the limits. When the brew gradually takes on him  he would melodiously recite his favourite lines from Ramanan...kananachayayil adu mekkan............. or sing a song from neelakuyil.....manennum vilikkilla.....etc. etc.After enjoying a non veg. dinner we would return home through the winding mud road amidst a vast stretch of sugar cane field. Ponnettan would be incessantly talking on all and sundry and I followed him, enjoying the blabbermouth. Occasionally the howl of a fox or croaking of a frog  or the ear piercing creaking sound of  crickets interrupted. Batches of glow worms on the wayside trees illuminated our path. On one occasion we even encountered a big cobra. The animal was threateningly obstructing our way and Ponnettan’s stamping on the earth made it move out. To add punch to our walk rarely some whispers and giggles from the cane bushes caressed my senses, but Ponnettan used to gesture not to take cognizance of them.

    It is from such simple persons I have taken good lessons. Such company  always set directions, because they evolved from true friendship. Where ever he is now, in what ever form might be Ponnettan will remain close to my heart......contd