Trip to Bapatla

Trip to Bapatla


" Get up lazy bones , Mahalakshmi chided Seetha , Vasu , Saroja and Raja. Amma is finishing the packing and TataGaru , came back from his customary walk and is in Puja room ," caterwauled Ganga.
The Pantulu family were to leave for Bapatla that day. Madras was sultry and warm . One could keep on bathing and still sweating.
" Ganga , I have finished Sandhyavandam and there are a few petitions , I have to clear . Acharuyulu would be joining me shortly. Besides , there would be congressmen arriving to finalise important issues that are to be raised in the Legislative Council , when we return back from Bapatla, " remarked the stenorian Pantulu Shiva Prasad.
Ganga was the woman for all seasons and every situation . She was bubbling with excitement as the family were to travel to Bapatla for summer vacations.
But was piqued with the children as they were still to get ready. She multi- tasked in finishing the packing , preparing breakfast , quickly eyeing the clock . By 7.30 , the Pantulu family were to be seated in the two prized studebekers.
The deeply religious Ganga , a fountain of energy had got up at 4 am . After her morning ablutions , drew water from the well and was assisted by Kantama and Pullaiah , who served the family with sincerity.
The gargantuan house was once the property of Nawab of Arcot . And he sold it to her father-in- law. Today it was a mix of both Hindu and Islamic architecture.  And represented the secular edifice of the family and the political party they belonged to.
Ganga finished chanting Lalita Sahasranamam and prepared idlis , vadas and dosas for breakfast and sambar rice and curd rice for lunch to be had on the way .
" I think we will have lunch at Nellore," she mentioned to Kantamma . " Pullaliah please check as to whether the children are ready or not ," exclaimed the swarthy looking Ganga. Over the years she had overcome her inhibitions , demons in the mind about colour.
She was panicking now as the clock was ticking away . It was almost 6.45. " Vasu enti adi ....what is that , as she saw her son still sleeping while the girls were ready ," remonstrated Ganga.
" Give him a tight slap Amma ,"Raja was to add.  Ganga pulled Vasu out of the bed . The family in summers used to sleep on the terrace and Vasu was enjoying the sea breeze and rays of the sun. The son, spoilt brat among all sisters was toying with nature.
" Now you come with me," said Ganga sternly and took the boy in to the bathroom and got him ready in a jiffy.
Pantulu Garu finished his legal work , met the Congressmen and endearingly looked at his children and wife Ganga.
She was his alter ego. Perfectly matching the domestic and political life.
Shiva Prasad , the children and Acharyulu all sat in a row , and a profusely sweating Ganga served the delicacies.
As a youngster she learnt all these culinary dishes from her mother.
While the breakfast was served , Kantamma and Pulliah kept the luggage consisting of several boxes , Puja mayerial , betel leaf , nuts , important papers in the two vehicles.
" Amma , dosas are simply delicious ," said the sheepish looking Vasu .
" You would have been still sleeping had I not  dragged you to the bathroom."
Meenakshi guffaowed at this statement of her mother.
" Why did you laugh Meenakshi " questioned Ganga . "  Because you are so innocent Amma . Brother Vasu had already taken his bath," said Meenakshi.
The vessel fell from Ganga's hands and the entire family laughed in unison.
This was much to the consternation of Ganga. And the place was dirty . Ganga the atomic reactor cleaned up the place and the family at sharp 7. 27 were seated in the vehicles with usual squabbles as to who would occupy the window seats.
Pantulu Shiva Prasad wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave Rs 5 to Pulliah and at sharp 7.30 the cars moved from Madras to Bapatla