I was roused quite abruptly on Sunday Morning not by the melody of birds at the window but by friends preparing to beat a hasty exit in the rain. Fighting sleep and other evils from the night before I donned my Trenchcoat and walked with them to the car parked outside to collect the umbrella they borrowed to sheild them from the rain. Next stop was the church compound where I stood outside the church like a sentinel in the rain until after mass got over so I could give my dad back his umbrella. In between masses I made light conversation with the congregational traffic hoping they wouldn't smell the rum on my breath as I made a beeline to the Hotel next door for some breakfast.
Well fed on Kheema Pav, Bun Maska and Cutting Chai I could now focus on other things at hand and the sketchy plans from yesterday took form in reality. A while later I picked up a kilogram of freshly ground coffee from the local Tuck Shop enroute to Holy Family Church Chakala, reaching in time for communion. After mass I rambled aimlessly through the graveyard beyond and all of a sudden I felt myself being reeled in like a fish. I was swept up by and finally gave in to a long overdue urge to visit the Statue of Christ at the end of the hallway at Vinayalaya. I had no reason to visit this place ever since Fr. Robin was transferred to the Parochial House atHoly Family Churcc, but I've always been in awe of this imposing fixture that seems to guard over the olde preiests on Death Row.Today I walked down that old corridor again setting aside my burden as I bowed in adoration. Kneeling at His feet I actually felt the weariness in my shoulders recede as I relaxed in His presence and my mind picked up soft music notes floating about from another mass being celebrated in one of the Chapels next door. a small walk in the greenery beyond made the wispy music from the Choir more audible as I drew nearer.
I realized I had unknowingly disappeared for quite long and made my way back to Fr. Robins quarters just as my cell phones went off like alarms with S.O.S. messages from the Man himself. I told him of my whereabouts as we settled down to some conversation with Liquid Sunshine for company. We discussed lives and deaths, the mornings sermon and its elements. Mental checklists were ticked of things that had to be spoken about, people of interest and persons in trouble. In due course lunch was ordered from Sai Palace and we were soon gorging on Butter Chicken, Rumali Rotis and some foreign chocolate for dessert. Just before it was his time to be comatose we exchanged packets of coffee and I armed him with his latest weapon against smelly shoes in the monsoon... A brand new pair of Floaters.
Well fed on Kheema Pav, Bun Maska and Cutting Chai I could now focus on other things at hand and the sketchy plans from yesterday took form in reality. A while later I picked up a kilogram of freshly ground coffee from the local Tuck Shop enroute to Holy Family Church Chakala, reaching in time for communion. After mass I rambled aimlessly through the graveyard beyond and all of a sudden I felt myself being reeled in like a fish. I was swept up by and finally gave in to a long overdue urge to visit the Statue of Christ at the end of the hallway at Vinayalaya. I had no reason to visit this place ever since Fr. Robin was transferred to the Parochial House atHoly Family Churcc, but I've always been in awe of this imposing fixture that seems to guard over the olde preiests on Death Row.Today I walked down that old corridor again setting aside my burden as I bowed in adoration. Kneeling at His feet I actually felt the weariness in my shoulders recede as I relaxed in His presence and my mind picked up soft music notes floating about from another mass being celebrated in one of the Chapels next door. a small walk in the greenery beyond made the wispy music from the Choir more audible as I drew nearer.
I realized I had unknowingly disappeared for quite long and made my way back to Fr. Robins quarters just as my cell phones went off like alarms with S.O.S. messages from the Man himself. I told him of my whereabouts as we settled down to some conversation with Liquid Sunshine for company. We discussed lives and deaths, the mornings sermon and its elements. Mental checklists were ticked of things that had to be spoken about, people of interest and persons in trouble. In due course lunch was ordered from Sai Palace and we were soon gorging on Butter Chicken, Rumali Rotis and some foreign chocolate for dessert. Just before it was his time to be comatose we exchanged packets of coffee and I armed him with his latest weapon against smelly shoes in the monsoon... A brand new pair of Floaters.
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