When we were young, Dinner was great fun for us , five brothers and sisters. Topics at dinner table were innumerable , energy was endless and the food was delicious without much of oil and spice. That habit of childhood is still going strong with me . As we all the brothers and sisters are settled in life in different places with each one now rearing a small part of the bigger family, my wife and the elder kid has taken the roles of my siblings at the dinner table, while the younger kid finds the cartoon channels more tempting.
Today evening, we went back almost 13 years. We got married on 3rd July of 2003 and went to Nainital for honeymoon via Kolkata on 10th July. I still remember our parents, brothers,sisters, in laws all coming to see us off at Guwahati Airport. The same repeated while we came back after about 10 days. When their own moment arrived, there were fewer people to see them off as the eler ones moved on with life and hardly had time to come to spare to come to the airport in two crowed cars. Perhaps more than time, enthusiasm was missing. When we called from Nainital, each one wanted.to have their share with the long distance call, repeating almost the same words in excitement while the STD bill was merrily smiling at us.
Another funny incident I still remember, when my wife Arpana was about to get into the car after the marriage was over. My sis - in- law was in tears. Crying is infectious and soon I found my sister Anju and cousin Mainu too joining her. I needed to remind them that they were from the groom side and should not cry which they refused to oblige.
At Kolkata, we stayed for a day at our Tolly company Guest House. The entire staff came out to receive us as if the company chairman had arrived. They found the best fish in the market to offer to the newly married couple. When we left for Dehradoon the next day, the entire staff was there at the gate too to see us off. It was vintage Assam Oil and reminiscent of the old Digboi at Kolkata before the golden etiquette, culture, camaraderie and trust got replaced to large extent by the so called PSU Professionalism.
We found, being the eldest Son and Daughter in law of a big family was much more fun than the responsibilities.
After Dinner today, I and Arpana, my wife, were remembering the days with you today - Atul - Boby, Naba, Rituraj, Kailash- Anju, Chintu, Mainu and Munni. In the wedding of the only unmarried member of this group, it will be hard to stop my tears too when its time to see her getting into the car to leave.
No comments:
Post a Comment