....The Tea Time Balcony.....!!!!

....the Tea time balcony wore a deserted look....the hitherto majestic Deep Blu opposing it ,now dull.....the waves elicit no response.....the flickering lites of distant islands not either.....the chairs though diligently placed as ever....a fatigued look & a wait....the 7am & 5.30pm Tea with parents, till as recently as the 15th, still fresh in memory, with Archana, Doel & Arnav popping in & out...with us chatting & savouring the Tea & biscuits.....as they departed on 16th, reaching Mumbai safely via Cochin....must thank the Spicejet staffs@ Cochin for implementing the "Meet & Assist" programme in letter & spirit, for helping our parents frm International terminal to the Domestic....I was worried abt immigration ,customs, baggage claim etc. which was wel managed by the ground staff & ensured their smooth dep to Mumbai....received well by Neeraj & Sweetie....Arnav skipped school to see off Nana & Nani....crestfallen at times....Doel...a fleeting melancholia aft school....the apartment all of a sudden feeling huge & desolate....lots of space hitherto so very fulfilling & occupied.....a beginners game of Chess with Arnav & Draughts with Doel ,somehow distracted thm before my impending flight of refuge to the Hospice for the Evening Clinic, discarding the Car, thru lite rain ,taking the most circuitous route by the sea, on foot, tried negotiating with the altered scenario at home....a "Departure" not easy to forget....!!!!