Lumanti (Memory)

Revisiting Old Days

"Ok, how about we just prepare for a barbie, then we don't have to worry about caterer?"

"No, T, we cannot just do barbecue. Most of them in the list do not eat pork, and some of them are even vegetarians. And barbie with just vegetables or chicken is not fun."

"Ok so what about this caterer, it has got some really good reviews and they have great options of Nepalese dishes."

"I want them to try something new, they are from Nepal. Why would they want to try Nepali food?"

"Because they might be missing home and want to try something close to home?"

Lumanti and Aaron had been arguing about different issues of this welcome gathering since they met to plan for the event. Aaron, every year, organizes a small welcome party for Nepalese students coming to study there to welcome them and help them feel at home.

They bantered for a while before coming to make any crucial decision and worked together whole week managing time between their work schedule to make this happen. With help from their friends, they set up table, chairs and necessities for the event. Slowly all the invited guests and students joined and by evening the place was packed. People were mingling with each other. Some were guiding newcomers about what they can do around town and how to get around basically. It was a fun gathering filled with new people meeting each other and gathering around. 

Aaron and Lumanti were now relaxing, sitting on a chair by themselves and talking normally now in a relaxing manner.

"It was fun, eh? Doing this together," Lumanti was saying.

"Ya, it's great. Sorry for the argument earlier."

"No, It's alright. I am sorry too."

"Don't be."

"Do you do this every year?"

"Yep, we, you and me used to do this every year, except for the last one. You were not here because we, well you know and I was not in right place so I just handed over responsibility to my friend who later told me specifically that he doesn't want to take that pressure at all from next time."

Both of them chucked.

"Well, looks like things are going smoothly this year than last time you did this together, eh? Not going to kill each other for not agreeing on decorations or theme of the party," Ryan joined their conversations as they were laughing. Lumanti did not recognise at him at first until, Aaron addressed him with his name to let her know about who this friend is.

"Hey Ryan, how are you doing mate?" 

"Not bad, how are you?" Ryan replied, "It is good to see you both laughing together. The last time I came to this type of gathering, you guys were arguing most of the time about some silly things."

"That's not true." Aaron further added.

"Of course it is. All the other times, you both are an adorable couple but whenever it came to this particular day of the year, you guys would test each other's wits. Did something happen last year?"

Aaron and Lumanti, both didn't know what to say but Ryan was not on the same thinking page as they were. As they were thinking of what actually happened last year, Ryan was talking jokingly about this same event last year assuming they were together to arrange the event.

Aaron asked, "What do you mean?"

"I wasn't here last year at this time so I wondered if something happened last year that you are coordinating so well this year."

"No we had our fair share of argument this year," Lumanti, who had not spoken since Ryan arrived finally spoke.

Ryan laughed and said, "You know we always used to wonder what would happen when you plan a wedding together."