Muruguappa Nayar; was a ripe octogenarian who was quite energetic for his age, but for all purposes did not like being called a Buddha. Never once did he avail the old citizen discount when he strutted outside to the downtown market

His friends; retired from existence, always used to pull his leg for pretending to be someone else. Or atleast that is what he used to tell me.

Thatha, insisted on living alone in a cozy 1 bhk, which was right next to our house. Not too close, so that he can maintain his independence, not too far so as to cook for himself

Most other thatha’s enjoyed an evening walk. An afternoon siesta. A morning filter coffee. A night of telling their grandchilderen tales of mystery, horror and thrill; which they often ripped off from the local daily

Not Mr. Nayar; he fancied singing to the chorus of the cawing crows. Loved to flirt with the neighboring aunty and talk about how his ideas, if successful would have changed the course of his life.

He was quite the daredevil for the otherwise colourless town of Erode.

****

I came down running to my house after my morning cricket match, to enjoy the cool coconut drink my mother used to make. Summer vacation was one of the most cherished times I had, right next to winter vacation. To my surprise, Thatha was sitting in my room reading a magazine with the hindu paper camouflaging it. I didn’t understand back then why go through all the trouble.

“Raju, Are you not bored by staying at home all day? Do you want to go on a trip?” asked my thatha

This is was quite the development. Never was I ever invited to even walk along with him, lest people know his age; asking me for a trip only meant that it was going to be special. I jumped at the opportunity

My father worked with the most famous bank in town – State Bank Of India. It was so well funded he had a working fan in his office, unlike its other contemporaries. But, as a manager of such a famous bank, he sometimes had to go for audits to other towns. Appa was out on one such trip right around that time. It’s like all the stars have aligned themselves to help me go for the trip, I had to obey their wishes

****

We packed our bags and left by the evening bus to the beautiful Munnar. For the first time, Thatha told me about how he and his friends went to Munnar, gallivanting under the bosom of the pothamedu hills. He said that this visit is to remind him of those old days one last time.

Our journey was quite arduous and our driver drunk. Both combinations are quite deadly, especially when you are driving across the steep cuts connecting to Munnar. Needless to say, our bus feel into a ditch. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

We got down and started walking towards a cottage which thatha said was his friend’s thatha’s guest house. Evidently, all thatha’s know each other. At the tick of midnight, we briskly reached our destination which looked like a bhooth bunglow.

“Don’t be afraid Raju. You are a man. You should be brave” exclaimed thatha proudly

As we walked inside, we were greeted by a man whose moustache outgrew his face. Perumal was my thatha’s old friend who was surprisingly half his age. He led us inside to our quarters, were I feel down onto the bed. Both the chilly night and my aching legs lulled me into a deep slumber.

****

“Raju, how much time will you sleep? Get up!!” yelled thatha anxiously

He was right. At the early hours of six; we were getting quite late for whatever it is we were going to set out to do. I reluctantly embarked along with my 82 year old grandfather and his 45 year old sidekick to trek the mountains of Munnar; equipped only with a shawl and bata chappal.

“Where are we going ?, thatha”

“We are going to Chokramudi. It is said that a giant hid massive treasure up the peak. We are going to go find it”

At the time, I was just 14 years old, and even I knew he was spewing hogwash; but I didn’t want to argue with my thatha and followed suit. To make things interesting, thatha made a friendly wager of a generous sum of 10 for howsoever found the treasure.

****

Chokramudi was one of the most picturesque terrains all of Munnar. The birds chirp with exalting enthusiasm that you’d coo along with them too. Stationed right next to a national park, the hill is covered with lush evergreen Shola forest and home to an assortment of indigenous species. Neither Nayar or Perumal were interested in any of these. They broke three branches from a nearby tree to fashion walking canes, which according to their genius would help them find the lost coins uphill.

As, we trekked the hill along the plantations some of the localites, warned us of not venturing beyond the Shola walk for there are dangerous animals. This uncharacteristically made thatha even more excited.

“What is the thrill in taking the path known, eh Raju”

We reached a junction of small rocks near a waterfall by noon. It was clear that Murugappa Nayar lost his way, but he didn’t lose his faith. The minute hunger pangs hit me; I started to reminisce my Mom’s hot avial. As, I shapelessly wandered I tripped and fell down into a trench filled with mud and other unsavory smells

“Are you okay Raju!!”shouted thatha

“No, you old fart” I replied in my head

Perumal came sliding down to help me; as he lifted me up he squawked the most unholy of sounds. I was thankful, he didn’t speak at all through the journey.

“Macha, come down we have found it” shouted Perumal

With a fire in his eyes, thatha rushed down to push me aside and dig the mud like a garbage man. Their efforts paid off. They have found the giant’s treasure. A treasure filled with yellow moss covered mushrooms

“Mushrooms !!! We have come all the way for mushrooms!!” I complained

“You don’t understand Raju, these are not just mushrooms. They are by products left by deva’s when they come down to these hills. They are quite valuable”

Again, I bought his bullshit. I didn’t argue. I just wanted to go home.

****

I rushed back with sprint speed of an athlete the minute I saw the silhouette of my house. But, before I could make my leap, thatha pulled me back with an elephantine strength.

“Raju, here’s 10 ruppess for finding the treasure. Here’s 5 more, don’t tell what we did to anyone. It is our secret” whispered thatha

“Okay”

****

I awoke to the screams of my mother. She was quite aghast and the whole house seemed to unusually crowded with people. Even the neighboring aunty paid us a visit.

Later, I came to know that thatha passed away. The doctor diagnosed that it was because of asphyxiation.

But only I knew his little secret. It was because of munching down on the by-products of the devas

****