Short Story/The Old Couple And The Touring Marriage Party

Installment 3 Apart from having to sleep on the floor Poniah and Susheela had to endure Baskar’s constant commentary on various subjects from what they would name Raju and Mini’s 1st born to why PMK leader Dr.Ramdass was unfit to be a politician. As the old couple tossed and turned trying to sleep, Baskar announced that he had fallen asleep through his loud snoring. They heaved a sigh of relief and eventually fell asleep. Morning came and both the bathrooms in the house were bombarded as each member of the touring party had their baths. It seemed that the sound of water coming out of the tap daba, daba, daba would never stop. Soon the guests started placing orders for breakfast. The bride’s nieces wanted puri masala and Lakshmi started fussing asking for cakara pongal*.Raju the groom speaking as a spokesman for all the adults said,"Perimma* you know I love masala dosai and since it is my wedding we are celebrating you can prepare it for all of us. Also don’t forget to cook meedu vadais”. Susheela was too stunned to even protest and went into the kitchen straight and started cutting potatoes. With a little help from Poniah and Nirmala(who was sent as the sole cooking representative of the guests)Susheela finished preparing this princely breakfast within two hours. Finishing breakfast Baskar announced,”We are leaving for Darmapuri now”, and Poniah heard himself whispering,"appadi*".Since they wanted to be at their destination by lunchtime they decided to leave immediately. The driver Parameshwaran took the luggage back to the mini bus. The youngsters, including the newly weds prostrated and took the blessings of Poniah and Susheela.After everyone except Baskar had got on to the van,he turned to the old couple and said,”Poniah and Sushi we are so sorry we could not stay longer.We would have loved to stay for a few days.We will try and come back while returning from Darmapuri.” *cakara pongal-south Indian sweet delicacy *Perimma-aunty *appadi-a sigh of relief THE END!!!