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Puthandu Varthugal in advance, I greeted my friend over the
phone as soon as she picked up the receiver.
Thank you, same to you she said.
I thought you would say that in Tamil because my greeting was
in Tamil, I pointed out.
Oh, sorry, I didn't realize that, she apologized.
See, again, sorry is an English word. I thought you would
say an equivalent in Tamil, I teased.
What's come over you? Why this sudden interest in my language?
She retorted .
Why not? isn't tomorrow your Varsha Poruppu? And your
name happens to begin with one of the oldest languages,
doesn't it ?I said wanting to carry on conversation in the same
vein.
Yes, I know, but I am so used to responding
in English, that I am not conscious of the tongue I am
speaking in , she said in a defensive tone.
O.K. tell me how are you planning to ring in
the New Year?I asked. Are you dining out? (in your favourite
restaurant?) I added .
Certainly not, she said vehemently.
Why, what happened ? I asked wanting to know
the reason for her sudden apathy for the "eat out" she
patronized.
Don't ever mention its name to me again. Oh,
I never thought they discriminated among their guests , she
fumed.
Why don't you tell me what exactly happened?
I persisted.
The last time we visited this place, we
wanted to hang around for some time after our lunch, but the
waiter literally shooed us away saying they had guests waiting
to take the table.
Probably , he had no other go . It must have
been the peak hour, I said.
Don't think I was not aware of it. But the
people occupying our next table were left undisturbed even
though they were continuing their heated discussion well
past their lunch, she said , with no signs of her anger
ebbing.
Were they by any chance white skinned ? I
asked promptly.
Don't you think the answer is obvious? She
shot back.
Well, its time we redefined the word
"hospitality" I quipped.
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