Tamil Nadu   

Selecting a Table

It was a family of four and they looked around in the restaurant for a suitable table. The father, in his late 40's, opted for one of the centrally located tables, "We will be seen by the diners and it will be more convenient for waiters to serve us". His wife stated her preference for sitting in the proximity of air conditioners.The daughter sniffed, "Must we? The chill blast will give me a sinus headache as it did last time. Can't we sit near that painting on the wall? It will be a nice diversion till food is served".

The father frowned, "At this rate, all the tables will get occupied. Hurry up". The son, who was quiet till now, saw some of his sadistic college seniors enter the hall.

Although he did not want his parents to listen to their slang about ragging techniques he did not know how to avoid them. He tried to hide behind his sister, a teacher of fine arts.

The maitre d' approached them and offered to help. The father clicked his tongue expressing his disapproval about the lack of a family room. The maitre d' explained that since everybody wanted the coziness of a family room the entire restaurant was converted into one. He insisted that only decent people were allowed inside. With professional determination, the maitre d' led them to a table in the centre of the hall. He cajoled them to sit down.

This is where I wanted all of you to sit. But you have such fancy notions about air conditioners and paintings!" he snorted at them. While the father nagged them, the son saw his dreaded college seniors sit down exuberantly at the next table.

RITA NATH KESHARI

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