The Game of Truth  - SULEKHA CHALLENGE.

Without realizing it, I suddenly burst out laughing because - Ratna was standing on the settee trying to imitate the inimitable Usha Uthup.  She sang  ‘Truth will always prevail’ moving her arms like an orchestra conductor.  Being nowhere near the singer in grace or in make up except for the gajra on her plaits that moved tantalizingly a la Usha., she looked terribly funny.  (A few days before, we had attended a music programme of Usha Uthup ).

Her father Raghavan looked up from the News paper he was reading, shook his head and said, “No my child , truth does not always prevail.   Did you not see what happened at Govind uncle’s party last night? Thanks to your mother”.

Though the incident happened years ago, I remember as if it was only yesterday that we all made such asses of ourselves.

            When I was a high school student in Madras (now Chennai), we had the Raghavans for neighbours.   Their daughter Ratna was my classmate and a very good friend.

The Raghavans were a lively family unlike my conservative parents.  They had a very original game meant only for the family.  Being the next- door neighbour, I virtually lived in their pockets, so I was allowed to watch the fun.  They called it ‘the game of truth’.  Each one would recount to the rest of the family the day’s happenings, what he/she said to whom and what should have been said if one had adhered to the maxim- ‘truth, only truth, and nothing but the truth’, throwing social grace to the winds. It used to be hilarious, except on one occasion.  Of course, Mrs.Raghavan felt that the blame rested squarely on the Electricity Board people, for, had the lights been on, this would not have happened!

We were on the road.   I was with the Raghavans . It was getting to be 8’ o clock in the night.   We had just finished shopping for a gift and were on our way to a 61^st birthday get together of the father of a common friend.  I could not attend the morning celebrations with my parents as I had a test in school that day.  So I joined the Raghavans as they were going for the evening get together. 

 Suddenly, the lights went off. Walking in the dark was fun.  It made us feel sort of light headed.

            Rekha auntie ( Mrs. Raghavan) asked her husband whether they should have gone for a more expensive gift. Balu and Hema (meaning my parents) had spent nearly Rs.500/= whereas what they got had cost Rs100/= only. 

“But the Balus were invited for the morning religious rites and a grand lunch. Our invitation is only for the evening informal get together.  I am sure there will not be much by way of refreshment.  What we have spent is okay.”

“You are right.  We may even explain the fact to Govind and his wife.”

 Yes.  I would tell him, “ You have clubbed us with the casual acquaintances, to be called in the evening.  So, we are sure you would agree that the gift is not inadequate.  We were hoping to be invited for the religious function and the lunch, which we hear from Hema and Balu, was a grand affair.  Just as the Balus did, we were also planning to buy clothes for the celebrating couple, pan supari, fruits, flowers –the whole works.  But you did not invite us for the morning do.  We are sure you would see that we are more than compensating you for the eats”.

“Should I tell Mrs. Govind that the coconut she gave with pan supari during the Dassera, turned out to be a rotten one?  I felt it was not in good taste to go and demand a replacement.”

“Do not take up that issue now. It is nearly three months since Dassera.  As you said, not in good taste.”

“Yes. We have to keep up the etiquettes.  After all, we are educated people – cultured too!”

We all were laughing our heads off.

By then we had reached the lane leading to Govind’s house.  So they had to stop the nonsense. The lights were still out.

Some one at our back cleared his throat and said, “ Pardon me for overtaking you. I had come out to buy masala pan for the invitees. So I have to hurry.  See you at my place.

Govind uncle just hurried past us leaving us all open mouthed!

         The Raghavans started the blame game.  He said she was always irresponsible, and should not have started it all on the road in pitch darkness when we could not see who else was on the road.

 Auntie retorted that he was an active participant enjoying every minute of it!  (Which of course was true.)

The relations between the Govinds and the Raghavans turned stiff and very formal after the event.

            Raghavan uncle philosophised, “This is what happens when one tries to speak the truth.  Don’t you remember, a similar fate fell on Raja Harishchandra!

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