A raucous laughter in the 5th floor passage area of Golf Manor, hearing a very serious conversation with  someone in the same place  and discovering the 'someone' was Niko, the " almost human pet" of #503, pulling Chika's and Rishika's leg with a seriousness befitting The Buddha, someone who was as largehearted as the lager casket that he brewed , the immense hospitality he showed along with Chicka,  someone who did not defer to audience while belting out choicest abuses , someone who was the epitome of a man, be it a dutiful and loving son/son-in-law, father, husband and above all a friend whom  many would give an arm and limb to have.

That is Mohan Alapatt for you.  How do you write an epitaph for someone like Mohan?  All I can say is that I have always wanted to be a bit like Mohan, unapologetic yet  responsible,   adventurous yet a good planner and have  his zest for life. Ironic that such a person was taken away so early, living in a void and ache in whoever's life he  touched. Hope you are having a good laugh at all this from wherever you are Mohan.

One really questions the universe's plans when someone like Mohan leaves us so early.

Where do I start?

Memories spread over 20 years  being friends, neighbors, sharing similar values, someone you could laugh with for hours at end even in the midst of intellectual  discussions, someone who shared a balcony and we could just shout out to throw some provisions across when we ran short, someones whose house just exuded warmth and one felt at home. The memorable trip to Bandipur when  you were stressed out about your excise license but we manged to see a leopard right next to us in the pitch dark of the night, the essential supplies you smuggled from your brewery which alleviated Covid lockdown blues.   This could just go on.Mohan , you were a common topic of discussion at home when we diced how could someone have so much balance in everything and above all knowing how to enjoy life without comprising on responsibilities, focus, a creator and problem solver at heart.Your absence has really left a deep grief and dull ache in the heart which is not subsiding. This grief is shared by all of us from ex 504.