Those days, we were living in New Delhi. My husband was working in the Railway Board. His job was to travel through out India and collect data for his project and then submit it to the Ministry. He was hardly home for any function. He was also very absent minded.

That particular week, before his departure for Madras my husband's friend Sri Kapur, told my husband, that he is fond of South Indian dishes and hence he will come with his kids to our house on `Republic Day', after witnessing the `Parade'. My husband was too pleased and welcomed him to our house to have lunch with us. In a hurry he forgot to tell me about the programme, and left for his official tour as usual.

On return from tour, after a sumptuous feast, we were relaxing in our lawn. The day was January 26, 2 p.m. Sri Kapur and the kids appeared on the scene dog tired. I at once welcomed them and made then comfortable by spreading a charpoy for them to rest. After seeing then, my husband recollected what Kapur had told him last week, Imagine my embarrassment, when I came to know from hubby dear that they have come for lunch.

We, always prepare a sweet dish on Republic and Independence Day. As luck would have it, boondi raita and a sweet dish were ready in the fridge. For the evening tiffin I had already prepared some idli and sambhar. So with one more subji, chutni and papad I finished my work within 30 minutes and offered it to Kapur and family. When they left in the evening, I heaved a sigh of relief. Since that day, it has become my habit to ask hubby dear, whether he has invited any guest before he leaves for his tour.