Athithi Devo BHAVA

Over the next weekend one of my favourite aunts and her family are to visit our place for a short holiday.

On the outset this seems pretty nice, favourable and most welcome.

Except that this is the first time this aunt and her family are visiting our place all the way from Bangalore.

Over the last 20 years or so, each time they had planned to come, the plans changed at the last moment.

Or it simply never worked out.

We almost always visit them when we go to Bangalore.

However they havent had a chance to come to our place. Our repeated invitations have always either not worked out or simply hasnt been implemented.

So when aunt-uncle and their 19yr old daughter (my cousin Suma) decided to come over, it was natural excitement for all of us.

My mom and dad are making sure no stone is unturned in ensuring they have an enjoyable holiday.

They are a lovely family. Very helpful. And have always been excellent hosts when we went to Bangalore.

We want them to have a good time.

Apparently all of my other aunts also want them to have a good time recognizing that it is the first time that they are coming all the way to our place in Andhra Pradesh.

One of my other aunts from Bangalore called up my mom.

Sister talk.

Apparently this is how the conversation went

Lets call this aunt as Aunt S.

And the aunt who is coming for the holiday as Aunt V

Her husband as Uncle A

Their daughter as Daughter S.

(Mom, Aunt S, Aunt V are all sisters)

The conversation took place in Kannada. But let me explain in English.

Aunt S: "So V is coming i heard to Vizag? Really? Wow"

Mom: "Yeah. finally they ve decided to come. Hope they enjoy. We are excited to have them"

Aunt S: "Abba! Start preparing things. make all arrangements"

Mom: "Arey what arrangements? They are coming for a holiday"

Aunt S: "Oh come on! Go and make Huli pudi, masala pudi, chatni pudi now it self. That way u dont have to waste time later"

Mom: "Oh yeah.good idea"

Aunt S: "what good idea? you should have made everything by now. V and bhava(bro-in-law) A are coming for the first time to your place. Have you prepared the menu?"

Mom (now intrigued): "oh menu? no not yet. V will help na. I know bhava will eat less spice"

Aunt S: "Abba..lets decide the menu....I think u make Vangi Baath one day..one day Carrot Pulao. Can u make Payasa?"

Mom: "Haan..sare...i will make...dont worry"

Aunt S: "Get Bournvita bottle for little S. She will drink that"

Mom: "Oh ok. will do that"

Aunt S: "Haan..but dont get the big bottle. If water falls in, it will harden and become a rock and no one will use it afterwords. So get a small bottle for Rs 10/-"

Mom (now surprised at Aunt S's accuracy): "Oh yeah..good idea"

Aunt S: "When you go to Matha and plan to stay there overnight, make sure you carry Odomus for warding off mosquitoes"

Mom: "Sare. I will carry"

Poor mom! She was already overwhelmed now. Its not the first time guests are coming to our house. Almost everyone has visited us and enjoyed our hospitable stay. But i think these sisters like to make a big deal about everything. Then again, Aunt V and Uncle S coming to Vizag for the first time was something we were all excited about.

Aunt S continued: "Bhava doesnt drink tea or coffee. so no tea and coffee for him"

Mom: "Haan i know. I will give him milk"

Aunt S: "Arey he has never even touched tea or coffee since his childhood"

Mom: "Alright sister!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will not let him touch now also"

Aunt S (laughing): "haan!!!!"

At this point Mom shouted out to Dad "Listen! no tea or coffee for bhava. so dont force him"

Aunt S (overhearing that): "Haan no spicy food also...less uppu (salt) and khara (spice) please"

I almost heard Aunt S say "Athithi Devo BHAVA(uncle)"

It appeared Aunt S was the chief welfare officer of the entire extended family.

Mom: "yeah yeah. dont worry. relax..i know how to take care of them..."

Aunt S: "have u told the servant maid to not go absent? give her extra money today only so that she ll be present"

Mom: "yeah..i will tell her"

By now both my mom and her sister S are laughing and poking each other.

Aunt S: "hey..get extra lungis for bhava. extra towels..."

Mom: "haan..i have got those. also got some shirt pieces, sarees for bhava and V"

Aunt S: "where will you all go. have u made the travel plan. has bhava (my dad) made plans?"

Mom: "haan...he has made the plan. we ll go to different places"

Aunt S: "arey dont waste even a day. S bhava doesnt like to waste time. You and V can do harte (gossip) later. first take them around"

Mom: "Gotte! (i know lady!!)"

Mom: "hope they have a good time!!!"

Aunt S: "All the best ok?? all the best!!"

Mom: "saku. idarna doddu news maadta iddiya. V bandu enjoy maadtale. chinte maad-beda"

Aunt S: "hehe....ok ok.....call u tomorrow..bye!!!!!"