My trip from Male’ to Kochi on INS Jalashwa (page 4)

It was around 2300 when the ship finally started moving. I had already taken my third pill. I was starting to feel its effect weighing down on me. I went down for that day. It was a bit tricky getting into the bunk though, the AC was starting to condense, and it was producing a lot of water. I had to manage to some how keep my shoes near my section, and then climb up the metal beds to reach my bunk without getting my socks wet by the floor. It was a bit hard the first few times, but then I got the hang of it.
On a side note, I and a few other passengers had a little talk with one of the Navy guys in our mess. He gave us a lot of information on the whole ship. He said that the ship could travel the distance in under 12 hours at maximum speed but could not do it always due to efficiency reasons. He also shared that their bunks were much better than ours and the ladies were provided something like theirs. Pregnant ladies got even better accomodation as they really need it. We, expendable men, were relegated to these bunks, which are usually used for transporting army personnel in war. It was all good if we were actually at war. But in times of a pandemic like this, I think they should have thought twice before arranging such a transport. That said, next day was little better.

I woke up to seeing people rushing in the walkway right in front of me. There were some announcements going on. Apparently, they a couple of other warships have joined us in our journey, as escorts. We were all invited to the open deck at top to observe. I went up. The view up there was surreal. Middle of the ocean, clear early morning skies, ships around us, a helicopter above us. I just stood there for hours. It was a nice place to be. Fresh air after a long time.

It was breakfast time. I forgot to mention the dinner last night. That was the last queue of the day. A pretty long one at that. Turns out ladies do not have to stand in queues, they can walk up to the serving area in hoards and grab food when they want. Pregnant ladies, I understand, but perfectly capable young women? Women had seats to sit while they ate. We could too, if only any of us got the food before them. I stood next to a group of ladies who were all finished but one. They were seated and chatting with each other. I stood there, had my food – Rice, dal and Vegetable korma. It was good food. And this was the norm for the coming days. I started skipping meals though, towards the end of the trip. Back to present, last night’s dinner had not left any good impressions on me, and I decided to skip breakfast. I had a pack of biscuits in my bag. I shared it with a couple of older guys near my bed. They too had decided to skip food. One of them have even decided not to sleep the whole trip, since his allotted bed was at the lower most bunk. Just CMs away from the slushing mix of mud and water on the floor. The wet floor from last night has turned into a mini ocean inside the ship. It mimicked the movement of the ocean outside, as in it moved from side to side as the ship did.