Day 7: El Gracioso

I was so early today to reach the railway crossing that I got down from the rickshaw there itself to walk the rest of the way with no hurry whatsoever. It was still well before 10 that I entered the office room. I welcomed the simulated cooling this time- now that the clouds had all vanished into thin air, and the skies were overcast no more, it was the sun's turn to burn away in all its searing splendour once again. I assumed my position and kept busy with writing for a long time, until delaying my foray outside wasn't a polite proposition anymore.

The plant was unsurprisingly brimming with the hustle and bustle of work. I visited all the usual places, but the most memorable visit was reserved for that majestic piece of machinery which they called the CCM. It was the first time that I was allowed to go inside the machine and explore its various parts, albeit under the guidance of Sharmaji. The steaming hot molten metal was being poured in from the top, which went two storeys high, and moving through long winding paths, getting cooled all the time, it would be appropriately shaped. I watched in wonder as the red hot shapes underwent fire-sword cutting and the billets formed collected them at the very end of the machine.

Lunch was an exceptionally special occasion today- all thanks to the idlis, sambaar and coconut chutney that I brought from home. Rajbeerji and Sharmaji looked beside themselves with joy and made merry, inviting a few other fellows too to help finish the mammoth pile of steamed idlis. It was an enjoyable experience, and everyone around thanked me repeatedly. I was offered laddoos by one, a favour I accepted most gleefully with outstretched hands.

That apart, Rajbeerji was at his eccentric best today. He talked and laughed a lot, and had his audience in splits while reciting tales of his drunken escapades. He took his mockery of poor Nagarji a wee bit too far, and there was some bad blood between the two. But it was great, great fun. Thus a very satisfying day came to an end and I stepped out into the heat at 4 in the evening, to go home and take some well-deserved rest.