Preeti's recent blogpost leaves the readers with a question – If today was your last day on earth, what would you do? We sometimes forget (or at least prefer to forget) that one day each of us will be taken away from our engagements in this world. Sometimes without realizing it, one becomes too attached with relentless habits of work and routine, forgetting to show childlike appreciation for all that is good and beautiful in this world. But when we step back from its ever-changing scene, what seems so important today will take a back seat. Now Preeti’s question did really make me think how I would like to face my last day if it were in accordance to my wishes.

If I knew beforehand it was going to be my last day, I would start the day with an elaborate bath (not that I don't do it daily!), and then sit to a hearty breakfast along with my family – my Amma, Atchan and Anu. I'll call up my office and inform them that I'll be on leave (for the day). After breakfast, we'd then set out for a visit to Guruvayoor temple ( my mother has been complaining since long that I hardly visit any temple!). Before the deity of Krishna, I would make an attempt to convince him to see my point that it would take more than a day to thank him and all those people who have been instrumental in making my life so beautiful.




After the temple visit, the next thing to consider would be a lunch for the last time, and just in case you don’t know, let me tell you that the vegetarian restaurants in Guruvayoor gives you the best 'masala dosa's in the country. And I’m not going to let go off that final opportunity to enjoy those.

In between the journey to and fro, I'll try reaching few of my close friends over the phone and would reminisce about the good old days, as I often do when I get a company. I might have failed to make a big circle of friends in my life, but it has always been great to be with those few who have consistently been there for me whenever I needed them.


Considering the fact that the journey back to Cochin from Guruvayoor temple would take about 2 hours, we should be back home by around 4 p.m. Now I’d perhaps login to the internet for the last time and browse the web - send emails, and visit my fave blogs [perhaps that day I’d stumble upon a post titled "how would you like to re-live your life if you had another chance!"]



In the evening, I would settle down for whats going to be my last supper with my family. Being my last meal, I'm not going to settle for anything less than a feast -- lime pickle, pachchadi, puliyinchi, aviyal, cabbage thoran, kaaya elasseri, in the center of a mound of rice where the steam rising in swirls from it, and piping hot saambar in a hollow in the middle of the mound, plus two large pappadams and a glass of water to wipe it down.


Now that I've had my last meal and I’m running out of time, I can't think of anything else apart from going to bed.

And what would I love to do if it were going to be one of my ‘last moments’ --this is going to be the easiest of all choices to make among the other choices for the activities of my 'last day'. I would rest my head on my mother’s lap, feeling her fingers run through my hair, as her hands caress my forehead (which I make her do it for me often), listening to my favourite music tracks in the background.


And as the music fades away, I would close my eyes hoping that I would be granted some more time.

-Balu