Day 17 : A Challenging Friday of Sickness, Shock, and Care

The morning brought intense stomach ache and diarrhea, a result of the previous night's dinner from an outside eatery. Fasting due to sickness, I proceeded for Friday prayers and visited the home of Gandhian Umar, a revered senior citizen actively engaged in social services through Gandhi Bhavan. Our conversation delved into the complexities of tensions and conflicts in Kerala's coastal region, with Umar sharing insights into peace-building efforts which he was part of following political and communal clashes, particularly after the Maaradu Riots.

After Jumua, I opted for biryani from a small restaurant, a disappointing choice that underscored the true value of Imbrahimkka's delicious and healthy meals. At the beach, I interviewed elderly fishermen who were covering their wooden boats with small shelters, discussing Islamic symbols engraved on their boats, rituals related to new boat inaugurations, and beliefs associated with sea and fishing. While there, I encountered a dead sea turtle near the waves. As I captured its pictures, some children, coincidentally my students, eagerly approached. Their excitement led to an unfortunate playfulness, with one child standing over the turtle when I was clicking—a moment I promptly discouraged. Inquiring about their encounters with deceased turtles, they shared that such incidents were rare, speculating that this turtle might have died due to entanglement in a fishing net. Amidst this, they also pointed out the construction of a new park near the beach. Concerned about my worsening stomach, I returned to the cottage, growing increasingly dehydrated and fatigued.

Upon Sajid’s call, I updated him on my deteriorating health, and he assured assistance, suggesting a hospital visit if needed. Opting for rest, I was pleasantly surprised when Jameela itha, the neighbour of the cottage, called, having prepared hot gruel, boiled chickpeas, and even provided a flask of hot water and painkillers. Overwhelmed by this unexpected hospitality for a complete stranger like me, I slept for several hours.