Chapter 6
“Hey! How about a game of passing-the-parcel?” somebody spoke up.
“Or how about another round of tambola”, said another voice.
After some debate it was decided that there will be another round of tambola and the next one hour passed peacefully. Soon it was tea-time and Sonia & I offered to make tea. We both went into the kitchen and chatted while the water boiled.
“Just another hour to go” I said as I poured the tea into cups.
Sonia chuckled, “Yeah, you look beat”
“Mentally more than physically” I said making a face, “Thank God you are here. Or I would have been bored to death.”
“You know what? I will drop Dolly aunty and the others home.”
“Really?” my spirits lifted at once, “That will be great! Do you live close to her place?”
“No thank God!” she laughed, “I live the other way. But her place is not too far away. And once I have her in my car it will give me a chance to pour salt on her wounds.”
“Fantastic idea! Way to go girl!” I gave her a hi5 and we went back to the drawing room carrying the trays.
As tea time progressed, the women started looking at their watches. I saw a couple of them stifling their yawns.
“Umm….I think we should make a move now” said somebody.
There was murmur of assent from the group. One by one the aunties started to leave thanking Dadi and Mummy for the party. Soon most of the women were gone. Dolly aunty also looked like she wanted to leave and looked at me questioningly.
“Well Guddi, you can drop us off now.”
“Oh aunty,” said Sonia, “I am going that way today, I have to pick up a few things from the market. I will drop you all home.”
Dolly aunty did not look happy with this development but the other women who wanted lifts were okay with it and she could not say anything.
As they said their byes to Dadi and Mummy, Sonia and I exchanged cell numbers.
“I will be waiting for your call to hear all about it. Do give her hell!” I said to Sonia.
“Oh I will, don’t worry” she said happily. We shook hands and soon they were gone.
When the last of guests were gone, Mummy came back to the room and sat on the sofa and put her feet up looking exhausted.
“Whew! Its finally over”, she said looking over at Dadi and me, “Thanks a lot Mataji, Guddi. The party was a grand success.
“Except for the accident” said Dadi.
“What are you saying Mataji? That was the icing on the cake!”
Dadi and I looked at her in surprise and then we all burst out laughing.
The End
