The Invitation: When Leela innocuously asked me if I’d be interested to attend a wedding this May, without even asking her the details, I said “ No! I’m busy in May ”. “Oh” , she said, feigning surprise, paused a little and fired the opening salvo, “ the wedding is in Goa ... .” she paused again for effect and then landed the sucker punch, “ our folks from Bangalore are all coming ” She turned and pretended to walk away, fully aware that she had knocked me off of my high horse – yet again (sigh) “Ah, I see... ” I replied hardly hiding my disappointment at not listening to her fully – a folly, I still keep committing even after almost three decades of marriage. Quickly recovering, I asked her “ when did you say the wedding is? And the moment her reply came, I said: “ Oh I guess that week I should be home and not travelling” ...With the mission accomplished, Leela gave me a triumphant smile and marched away. The Preparation: Thus started the whi...