Lost connections

I remember the day thru my Pre-degree in KE College.
We sat for lunch in the large lunch hall behind the main college building, near the loo. The hall with aroma of different variants of food packed in banana leaves and aluminiun vessels, filled the air.
Time One O clock. Stomach burning with hunger. I too opened my banana leaf roll. It opened up to white boiled rice with a spoonful of red chilli chutney. That was all I had.
My friend, Vijayan opened his lunch box which had a coconut chutney & fish peera. I could not stand the smell. I asked for a little portion of his fish peera. He was hesitant, not because he has problem in sharing, but because, he belonged to the Velan caste (DrKRN was born in that caste) which was too low a community for the Syrian Xtian, that I was, because we were taught that we have Brahminical hang over cord with which we stand above even the formidable Nairs. Let it be so, Vijayan asked me if I really have no problem sharing his food. I said NO not a bit. The Meen peera was good. Then on we shared food, to be true, Vijayan parted with his curry for me.
Vijayan’s parents wanted him to do MBBS, which he could not, owing to his not clearing PDC in the first and second attempt. Instead he joined the Homeo and become Dr. Vijayan and practiced in Kudamaloor. He was physician to my father also.
Vijayan had a love with a pretty girl which didn’t work. Problem was perhaps the same. Caste. He as every other Kudamaloor-ite was close to the liquor, both Desi and Videsi.
I have left for Delhi in 1971. Forty years over. Relationship with my childhood friends severed, Vijayan was no exception.
Yesterday, Vijayan passed away. I had planned to visit Kudamaloor yesterday, but it did not work out. Vijayan was my only connection to AKG Panicker, our common friend, and my childhood best friend, who too is lost in the sea of time. Now I have to find some ways to get Panicker connected.