Aes & Crumbs

One last exam to go. She is already thrilled about her vacation. Her heart is dancing with joy, just like those butterflies fluttering under a warm sky.

She isn’t worried at all about that final exam. All she wants is to get back home, slip out of her uniform, grab the bags, and fly off to her maternal home.

That morning, she carries the sweet assurance that her grandpa will be home by the time she returns from school. Her mom has already packed the vacation bags for her sibling and her. Exams are over. She runs back home, her mind brimming with the joy of spending her holidays at her favorite place in the world — her maternal home.

Off they go to the railway station. She has always been fascinated by those tasty ethaakappam (banana fritters) sold on the train. Though her grandpa often reminds her with a gentle, shrewd voice, “ithonnum kazhikkanda (meaning, its not safe/healthy to eat food from train or anywhere other than home)”, he still buys it for her.

He knows it may not be as healthy as homemade snacks, but that’s a grandpa’s heart — soft, indulgent, and full of love. Nothing excites her more than enjoying that ethaakappam while asking, “How many more stations to go?”

Every journey becomes a lesson. Her grandpa revises each station name with her, teaching her the order, repeating it every single trip. But her mind is too clouded with excitement for her favorite place. She doesn’t care about the stations or their order — the feeling of approaching Ernakulam South Railway Station is beyond words for her even today.

Even after marriage, after moving places and moving countries, when someone asks her, “Where are you from?”, her little inner voice still jumps with joy to say, “Njan Ernakulathil ninnu anu (translation – I am from Ernakulam).”

For fun, her grandma would say, “Avalude pukkulkodi ivide anu kuzhichittathu.” Meaning — the little piece of belly button that falls off after birth was buried in that soil. Maybe that’s why she loves the place so deeply.

Being the first granddaughter came with its own privileges — richer than any gift anyone could offer. Standing in the front of the scooter felt like riding a chariot. Walking proudly into her grandfather’s office, surrounded by majestic ships being built, made her feel like a princess.

Even after her siblings were born, the pampering from her aunt continued. Perhaps it spoiled her a bit. She didn’t want to give up her “center of attraction” spot at her aunt’s wedding, especially when she saw her new uncle arriving in his shiny car like a star.

More than any riches in the world, the firstborn in every family is blessed to experience the purest version of the golden era. So how could she not be fond of her favorite people, her favorite place, and all those memories? Won’t she always become that little child again every time she returns to her own beloved space, even after becoming a mother?

Childhood doesn’t need pricey things. It needs precious moments — the kind that shape a child forever. Her grandparents, her maternal home, her family — they are the keys to her golden childhood.

Ask her today, “Where are you hailing from?” She will still say, with the same pride and warmth — “I am from Ernakulam.”

This is the story of a little girl who lived her golden era with her grandparents, parents, aunt, uncle, siblings, and countless priceless moments.

Thank you, God.

See you later 🙂

MJ.