After finishing his coffee, Vel sat down to have a clean shave. This is another ritual he loved to do on alternate days. He never liked to look beardy and untidy. He took utmost care to shave neatly and trim his moustache to the shape he liked. Most of his friends have told him that it suits his face aptly and with his brilliant smile, the moustache gets lightened up. Vel spent another twenty minutes in doing this chore and then went to take his bath.  Bathing time is his relaxing time, and he let every mug of water to talk with his body. Splashing cold water on his bare chest he whistled his favorite tune.  Vel loved to cherish his bathing luxury and see to it that his body got toned up every day after a relaxing bath. 

Drying his wet hair with the towel, Vel stood under the fan for a while. The hot air from the fan hit him hardly and he felt like taking bath for one more time. Chennai is too hot now-a-days. Every day, it is getting hotter and hotter, and to manage eight hours in the bus sometimes proved hectic. But working in a government transport system is a boon at this time of recession. He could get his pay every first day of the month, and it helped him to manage things at home without any hitch. Probably, things may be different after he gets married. Vel took his well ironed uniform and wore it with a pride. Though his job as a conductor may be hectic, he loved his job. Whether tiring or not, he enjoyed working with the crowd. Every day brought him a surprise and made him realize life is full of fun in spite of all troubles.  After getting dressed up, he took turmeric kumkum from the stand in the pooja table and applied a streak of it on his forehead. The blood red turmeric kumkum looked brilliant on his forehead and added a grace to his face. Satisfied with his reflection on the mirror, Vel started to comb his dark hair with care.