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The Post-Lunch Blues

by Vimala Ramu
(Bangalore,India)

We had been invited once to the house warming ceremony of a niece of mine. This girl had married into a family of my cousins once removed. I was looking forward to meeting all my cousins at their place after a long time.


As they all arrived, they too were all very happy to see me after a long time. I was my usual effusive self and my attitude infected my usually-dour elderly cousins too. They welcomed me with open arms, warm handshakes and slaps on the back. We happily discussed all the news, past and present.

Later, we were invited to go in for lunch. Being of an early batch of arrivals, my husband and I preferred to go in first leaving all my cousins in the hall. I departed for lunch in triumph that after all I had managed to scatter some pearls of jollity.

The food was good. I took my own time to polish it off, while my husband, a faster eater had excused himself earlier. I took time talking to my own nieces and nephews before arriving at the hall. My niece had prepared a unique gift for all the invitees__ half Kg of green cardamom in pods from their friend’s plantations, done up nicely in a transparent cellophane paper with white flowers and tied with a pink ribbon. Altogether, the occasion was very joyous and it was time to rejoin my cousins.

But a shock awaited me. A great change had come over them. They all had such grim, long faces and looked at me pityingly as if I was entering my cell on the death row on the eve of my execution. I was not able to divine the cause for this sudden change .My efforts to re- gather the pearls met with more pitying and funereal looks.

They all then solemnly trooped out to have their lunch.

When it was time to leave, I went to bid good bye to them in the dining hall. In spite of the hearty lunch they were eating, their eyes went suddenly teary and they said solemnly in a chorus, “Look after yourself well, Vimmu”.

As we got into our car, I told my husband about the strange phenomenon. He told me, “Oh, that must be because I told them that though you look good, you are suffering from serious arthritis and all that it implies”. So, that was the reason for the sudden change! His account must have been really dramatic and effective with a captive audience! I gave a big laugh. After all, he did manage to be the centre of attraction and have his attention-grabbing moments too in my absence!

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May 14, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hliarious
by: Safia.A.R

Funny and a good one
Apr 09, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Yes, looks like it -Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee !
Apr 02, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Post-Lunch Blues.
by: Eva Bell

Vimala - This is hilarious.
Both of you are well matched.
Looking forward to more of such episodes.
Apr 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Glad you enjoyed reading it,Geeta.
Apr 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		THE POST-LUNCH BLUES
by: Geetashree Chatterjee

As usual could not stop smiling after reading the post. We Indian, I think, have this passion for the blues. Till we are able to lament, regret, do tch-tch for others as well as our selves, we cannot digest our food. Simply enjoyed your superb narration as always!!
Mar 31, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Thank you,Lakshmi for your encouraging words.
Mar 31, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hilarious reading!
by: Lakshmi

Hi Vimala,

As usual, you bring a smile on the reader's face, through your hilarious style of writing. Your ability to write such hilarious articles is highly commented!!
Mar 29, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		yes
by: vimala ramu

Yes, Pankaja, I must admit that I don't know what would have happened to my wits if I hadn't had a complement in Ramu.
Mar 29, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Matched well!
by: nuggehallipankaja

Vimala, you and your Ramu seem to be made for each other in 'Humour', though the mode is a bit
different.
Mar 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Thank you, Indrani for enjoying my small anecdote.
Mar 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Empathy
by: vimala ramu

Thank you, Sonal. You should rather congratulate Ramu's dramatic narration !
Mar 28, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Future
by: vimala ramu

Thanks Sneha. As for your second sentence,let's see what future holds for me. I don't rule out anything.
Mar 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Thank you, Isabel for having caught the humour behind the whole story.
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		silent mirth
by: isabel


That was worth reading VIMALA...enjoyed especially the last part. The tragic look in their eyes as if you're about to exit this world... Your husband must have enjoyed his silent mirth from their morbid/serious reaction! hahaha
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Engrossingly well crafted
by: Sneha

Hello Vimala
Beautiful article. I'm shocked they took the arthritis so seriously! Ha Ha ... Your articles should be together published in a new book, what say?
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		:)
by: Sonal

I can empathize with your relatives. Very well written account of your get together.
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		A good one!
by: Indrani Talukdar

That was really funny. I wish I had been around to watch those long faces :) A good read, Vimala!
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kaal novu
by: vimala ramu

One of my cousins happened to be a doctor! Thanks for reading.
Mar 27, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Post-Lunch reaction
by: Seetharam

I won't call Ramu a wet blanket. But the rest of them appear to be rather ignorant of minor ailments like arthritis ! He should have said in pure Hebbar Iyengar Tamil, " Konchu Kaal nouvve avalka " !!

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