Avan, Aval Adhu 522
Madhurima walked out of the garden holding Ravi's right hand and entering the dining hall made him sit at the head of the table forcing him to observe, ' ma'am, the head of the table is usually reserved for the host or the hostess of the house. So, rightfully, it's you who should be sitting here in this chair.'
Madhu smiled, ' Your table manners are spot on master sir and that is why you are sitting there in that chair. ' and sitting down in the chair next to him, ' I might be the hostess but then you are my husband and the owner of me and all that I am. So, your position here ' and tapping her heart, ' in here is No.1. Always was, and always will be.
Overcome with emotion, all he could manage was a smile and a nod and then, Boleji and Protibha began placing several bowls of food on the table.
When Madhu asked Boleji what had been prepared for breakfast, he removed the lids of the bowl and began announcing their names with gusto.
' Radha Ballabhi, Mughlai Parathas, Luchi and Cholar Dal and Nonta Sooji ' and pausing for effect, he looked pointedly at Ravi and said, ' we also have prepared idlis and chutney in case..'
Ravi smiled, thanked Boleji, and said, ' I will eat anything as long as it is hygenic and healthy. I don't have any preferences when it comes to food ' and saying that, took a spoonful of chutney from the bowl and tasted it and looked at Boleji in wonder, ' Wow! this is delicious and tastes exactly like what my mother makes back in Kumarapalayam.'
Shaking his head in confusion he asked Madhu how it was possible for the chutney to taste exactly like what his mother made back in his village to which she pointed to Boleji and said, ' Ask him for I too am curious to know what is going on here?'
The headman of the house staff looked at the heads of the house and tapping the phone in his shirt pocket informed them that he had gotten in touch with a certain masterchef who had helped supply a lot of recipes in case Ravi did not like traditional Bengali food.
' Oh, I see ' Ravi said and waited expectantly for him to continue and Boleji did so.
' I got your mother's number from Madhuji and called her. It was she who gave me this and a few other recipes of your favourite dishes.'
' Rasaathi Ammal strikes again ' Ravi exclaimed and then his phone rang announcing a video call, and it was none other than his mother and huddled right behind were his uncle, aunt, Partha and Daksha.
Parthiban yelled, ' Dei, yenda. Are you a human or an alien? WTF are you doing sitting there by yourself and with such an exotic spread of food in front of you?'
Dharmalinga Thevar looked at Ravi and blessed him, ' Iyaa, saami, it is so good and heartwarming to see you both together and so happy. God bless both of you.'
Rasaathi Ammal joined in and blessed them and told Ravi not to return to Kumarapalayam for a few weeks. ' Iyaa, you need a break from here. Relax and enjoy your honeymoon and don't worry about me and the others. We are all safe here.'
Ravi and Madhu took turns to speak to all of them and then Daksha spoke for the first time and as always spoke her mind. ' Master, Madhu, bye. Eat your food before it gets cold and see you soon. If you keep talking these people will not let you be in peace and will go on yakking for days on end. So bye for now. Take care'.
Ravi kept staring at the phone for a few seconds and then turning to Boleji who stood next to him, gently gripped his hand and thanked him.
' You are welcome, sir ' he said and then asked Ravi if he would permit him to ask him a question and when Ravi nodded, Bolenathji asked him what the words, Iyaa and Saami meant.
' I heard that particular word " Iyaa " used by your mother and the other two elders, who are your uncle and aunt. Is that your nickname or an endearment that they use to call you?'
The question confounded Ravi and not knowing what to say or how to say it, he looked at Madhu who answered for him.
' Boleji, remember how all of us used to address Grandfather as " Dada, Guru " and also as our Guide. In Tamil, they use the word Iyaa to call someone who is highly learned and wise using that word.'
Boleji looked down at Ravi with a new understanding of him and asked again, ' But what about the word Saami? What does it mean?'
Madhu smiled, ' It means God and as far as I and his family and friends are concerned, he is our God, guide and benefactor.'
Unable to hold back his emotions, Ravi's eyes filled with tears and with a sarcastic chuckle, he said, ' Gods are but figments and creations of human needs and wants. In the end, they are but symbols and statues.'
Boleji tenderly touched Ravi's shoulder and said, ' Maybe, but then without them and without the faith and devotion we have for them, symbols, life would be very desolate and depressing.'
He slowly walked away leaving them to their own needs and wants and to enjoy their privacy.
It is folly to think that every moment or every day in our lives is going to mean something and in the same vein not every chapter in a story leads to some movement of it.
Time, life and stories move with their energy like they are doing now.
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/6-bengali-breakfast-recipes-for-you-to-try/
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