Sir, Thamma bandilla? the golf-caddy asked, when we were about to T-off. I was confused, as I don’t have a younger brother! I thought he may be referring to my absent-friend, Col Ram, with similar complexion, golf cap, moustaches and erect army looks. We had exactly similar golf sets and used a single car for Karnataka Golf Association! (KGA) Thereafter, we were Anna-Thamma, though Ram is older by six months!
Another day. At KGA again. “You are walking away without saying hello?” someone gently tapped me at the back, when I was proceeding for breakfast, from the wash room, after a round of golf. I turned back to see a stranger and said: “I am sorry; you are mistaken.” He said “I thought it was my friend, sorry.”
When Ram came, the stranger kept looking at us alternately and exclaimed:  What similarity! That is the time we  realised, why we used to get strange stares or a smile whenever we were together! Many times at the CMH Road traffic lights, when we stop for  the signal, some tempo, auto, two wheeler drivers give us quizzical, amused looks and keep looking at us alternately.
At the HSBC on M G Road, Ram had gone in to sort out some credit card problem and I was waiting at the lounge. A bearer brought a cup of tea and gave me; I told him, I would prefer coffee! He was confused and asked me: “Tavu Tea helideeralllva?” I told him why the confusion; he would not believe till he saw Ram coming out!
Last month on the day of President’s visit, we had gone to Airport departure-side to book a ticket, with Ram driving. As we came out, we had to stop at the junction for hand-signal by a cop. I saw a police head constable say something to his colleague and rush to us; he asked “Anantharama?” I said: “No. Ramachandran,” as I thought he may have seen Ram who has many police friends, earlier. He said “No sir. Anna Thamma?” I said yes and his next question: “Militaree?” I said yes again. He gave us a smile and a salute and left, in stead of booking us for using the blocked exit! Thank goodness. I don’t have a wife, to make a perfect Hum Dono scene!