The monsoon has set in Kerala, bringing with it different spells of rain that paint the city in shades of green and gray.
Our apartment complex in Trivandrum, one of the biggest in the city, stands tall amidst this downpour — a concrete jungle with five towers and over 300 families living within its walls. We live just a few steps apart, yet sometimes it feels like we’re light years away from truly knowing each other.
This sprawling community was born from the sweat, blood, and tears of people who can barely afford to call it home.
Today, I want to introduce you to someone who embodies the spirit of this place — Sasi ettan, or Sasi annan as Trivians affectionately call him. In Trivandrum, we call our elder brothers “Anna.” Sasi ettan is the security guard of our block. He’s a man full of stories, with a life that stretches far beyond the gates he watches over.
He catches up with me too often. Sometimes, our pleasantries often snowball into conversations. In one such exchange, he told me about his younger brother. Sasi ettan’s brother was once one of the most feared gundas in his locality, a product of the turbulent political climate of their time.
Despite this rough background, Sasi ettan does his job with a cheerful heart, never complaining about anything. He chats about the weather, politics, and his youthful days spent in the UAE. His observations are sharp, yet he speaks with a gentle wisdom that only years of living can bring.
Every day, Sasi ettan stands vigilant, his eyes ever watchful as the parade of delivery boys and agents weave in and out of our apartment complex. With a quiet grace, he oversees the flurry of packages and parcels and ensures that each one finds its rightful owner.
He carefully tracks the electricity bills, receives the packages meant for us, and engages in tasks that seem mundane yet are vital to the seamless functioning of our little world.
His presence is a comfort to many, like a familiar melody that soothes amidst the chaos. His skin tells stories of a hard-lived past, etched with wrinkles and bruises from the relentless march of time. His eyes hold the wisdom of countless experiences and the quiet acceptance of life’s unpredictable journey.
He occasionally dons a pair of glasses to read from the register kept at the reception, a sight that has become part of our daily rhythm.
Sasi ettan is indeed a quiet hero. His stories, his care, and dedication blend seamlessly into our lives, making our days a little easier, a little brighter.
As the rain continues to fall, I find myself grateful for people like Sasi ettan, who quietly make the world a better place, one small act at a time.
