Catholic

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 *Late Sunday story* 


What happens when you have to share a table with a stranger when you are out at a restaurant? It happened last week when my wife and I were at a restaurant, not a fancy one, but quite busy, where it is perfectly fine for patrons to share tables.


So when we were guided to a table of four, we were asked to sit side by side, not opposite, as would normally happen. It was an indication that we were to expect someone to sit opposite and share the table with us. This was a simple restaurant, but known for its good food, so attracted people and was always busy. You can imagine that it would cramped too, with small table sizes, maximizing every available space. 


Being primarily a sea food restaurant, one does not generally refer to the menu, but one discusses with the waiter on what fish is 'fresh'. So we discussed our options and placed our order. All this while, thankfully there was no one sitting opposite us and while we were talking of general things, in walked a lady towards us. She smiled, slightly broader to me I think, than my wife, and sat opposite us. She must have been a regular, as this system of sharing tables was not new to her. 


She was fairly attractive, guessing she must be in her fifties and her manner, smart. She was quite self-possesed, poised and confident. She was wearing pants and top that looked good on her and a long fabric sling bag. She smelt good too, not an expensive perfume, but a workday one. I may also add that she had well manicured hands. She was here probably  looking for a quick meal. Now imagine, on a smallish table, there is this lady, who you know nothing about, sitting directly in front of you. Matters get complicated when you have your wife at your side. 


One really does not know what to do in such a situation. You don't know whether to make a polite conversation, ignore the other person or just keep a friendly look. If I had to continue the conversation with my wife, it would no longer be the same as before, as every word would be heard by the lady.


She too did not consult the menu as she knew exactly what she wanted. She was warm and polite with the waiter and her manner was graceful. No doubt she had a certain class, which to any man, would be quite appealing. Not sure if my wife thought the same way, as she seemed quite uncomfortable. 


The lady maintained a pleasant look and could sense a hint of apology as she knew she was intruding on a couple's privacy. To make matters easy for all of us, she called someone and started talking on her phone. It was some advise she was giving the other person and she spoke in a firm and decisive manner. All this time, we had our space. She spoke primarily in English with a sprinking of Marathi, but she was not a Mahashtrian as the accent was of a non-Marathi. It was hard to place her, but think she was a Catholic.


When food arrived, and we were at our plates and the distance separating us was so close, it was distinctly awkward. To avoid looking in the face, we looked down at our plates and concentrated on the food. The conversation with my wife was neutral relating to the food. 


Was thinking of making a conversation with the lady as her body language indicated she was not be averse to it. I also guessed that it is difficult for someone alone to iniate a conversation with a couple and much easier the other way around. However, I got a unspoken signal from my wife to keep quiet. With 30 years of marriage these signals are easily picked up. All this time the lady had a pleasant expression, one that is worn when one is in close proximity with someone in a social setting. 


So we all ended our meal in silence except the occasional comments on the food exchanged with my wife. The lady had an issue with food which to her seemed overcooked and she brought it to the notice of the waiter. Again this was a pleasant exchange, more of a gentle suggestion than a complaint. I could not be more impressed by her. 


I dared not express my thoughts on the lady on our way back, but eagerly wished to know my wife's thoughts. I guided our conversation slowly trying to elicit her views, but she came to know what I was getting at and said, "She was talking so negatively on the phone, it spread such bad vibrations at our table. I did not like that lady!"

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