Make it Simple but Significant.

“Should we meet tomorrow for lunch?” The text read. “yes,Sure!” I responded, thinking to myself of the nice opportunity to meet and interact with another family. Amidst isolation and restrictions due to COVID 19, such invitations are rare. I met the couple twice with their young boy pre Covid. We struck off well, common nationality and community lent to our relatable conversations, perhaps. 

The next day I drove to their apartment with my two children. We parked the car at a distance and walked towards their apartment in no hurry until we felt the pitter patter rain drops all over us. In less than 5 minutes we found ourselves at the main gate. I reached for my mobile hurriedly to avoid soaking in our winter coats. “Hi, we are at the main gate” , I said. “I will be there in a bit”, she sounded anticipating. A couple of minutes later, I saw her walking with her four year old to help us in through the security gate. 

We exchanged a “ How are you doing?” as we hurried to protect ourselves from the continuing drops of rain. We were soon in the lobby, approaching the lift and reached their apartment. Her husband awaited us at the door. Another “How have you been?” followed, as we lightened ourselves of the heavy coats and winter shoes. We mindfully resorted to our latest learning of hand wash and then settled in the couch.

We got talking , not knowing a lot about each other. Some conversations need effort to get started and some others need the effort even take a pause. They weren’t many pauses as we continued conversing. The topics transitioned from Safety during COVID to parents back home to a common interest in farming to arts....until I had a bang in my head due to pangs in my stomach.  “Should we continue talking as we eat, I am sure the kids must be hungry too”, I said aloud.... thinking “I really need to eat NOW!”

We set the table. Being too many for the chairs, we decided to have a sit down on the floor lunch, Desi(Indian) style. As we uncovered the lids the food smelled aromatic, the dishes with a range of an everyday mouth watering Indian meal. The pulses, the pickles with clarified butter and steamed rice! The food was delicious! To top it all, home made Ariselu, a South Indian sweet delicacy that is far from easy to make. 

The conversation continued through the lunch interspersed with “wow! This tastes good”, “Mmmm” expressions from us. My son, who was in the background playing with the little boy finally yielded to hunger and savored the home made meal. Soon after, we had to leave to be in time for our next engagement.

As we were putting on our shoes and the coats, “We have been wanting to invite you since last year, it finally materialized” she said smiling. “I am glad it did, we had a great time knowing you all better” I responded . Such came to an end a very warm meeting.

 “I really enjoyed it, how about you?” I asked my children on our drive back. “yeah... it was good” said my daughter as her typical response where she was neither too bored nor too excited. “The little boy could have shared his toys with me” said my boy  complaining about another half his age. “ The food was homely and tasty” I said. “I wonder why I fuss so much when we invite someone over? Listing what we will make, looking up recipes, shopping for ingredients.... it’s a bit too much right?” I muttered. “I should learn to keep it simple and spontaneous” “That’s what I tell you every time, Amma” said my daughter. With those thoughts we reached home and got back into our routine.

We exchanged messages of mutual gratitude the next day, soon followed a telephone call. After some initial exchange, “We wanted to invite you all since last year but honestly I wasn’t so confident  about my cooking. It’s only now that I feel better prepared  to cook a good meal. I am so glad that you liked all that I made.” She said in her soft humble tone. I felt like a boulder hit me. “It’s been a year since you wanted to have us over? You took time to pursue that intent and waited until you felt confident to invite us?. In comparison the few days of fuss and stress that I experience is nothing” I told myself reassuringly. 

A lot of perseverance was hiding behind my perceived simple and homely lunch. I felt grateful and thankful to receive all the warmth and kindness.