We started travelling together when Shreyasi was a little baby; we took trains to nooks and corners, across the country. More often than not, these trains were running perennially late. In spite, we travelled, catching trains at odd hours. Many co-passengers were exceptionally helpful; some a bit  more (too much) than the others. That was also because I was young (still am, perhaps, looked a bit younger) and travelling alone with an exceptionally cute tiny infant was more than adventure. 

Over the years our journeys became slightly better, because the destinations got better, maybe, we became better travellers. The travelling time got tightly squeezed as our school and career, respectively, became demanding. However, it was always her and me. And we did crazy things; like taking a train to an undisclosedable location without a confirmed ticket. We just had to be there the next day. It was not particularly bad, the journey, we spent the night in the pantry car. Now it seems like a distant chapter of another life. 

Before we knew it, Miss Gopinath completed 10th standard with flying colours. A carrot that was dangled to motivate her to study more worked, now it was payback time – a trip to Thailand. It started with drama, raves, rants and tears, but soon after the flight took off, all rancours were grounded, left far behind.

We had a lovely vacation (my point of view), came back and then she was gone for 6 long years to Chennai. Initially, I’d fly to Chennai every weekend and then had to wean myself off.   

During this time, one morning my travel to attend a fair (read work) got confirmed. I asked her if she wanted to join me after the fair, she did. And we went traipsing across the Swiss alps, and came across a glass factory, passed Gruyere (known for a hard, pale yellow Swiss cheese by the same name as the city) and so on; which, for me, was wonderful. I don’t speak on her behalf, even if it’s about a common experience. We're buddies. 

After that, each of us made many solo trips, missed travelling together, and eventually in 2023, when Shreyasi was posted on deputation as the head of the cultural centre at La Reunion, I went there. That is a chapter in itself. 

However, this year was different; now she is married. Shreyasi went on a vacation to the UK with her husband, Yadu. She had to perform in Paris and now the role reversal happened: she asked me to get a visa and go across Europe. She planned the trip, organised the stay, fixed the itinerary, and everything. 

It just felt so different. Good to see the child that she was, all grown up and in charge.