The other day I had gone to the market for the usual weekly shopping. There was no hurry, and since the weather was (strangely) good, I decided to stroll leisurelyand do some window shopping. My purpose of course was to kid myself into thinking that I was exercising enough (you know that leisurely stroll being mapped as “serious walking” in my brain), and I would rightfully earn the big chocolate muffin and cold coffee I was planning to have at the Café Coffee Day (situated atthe end of the road).
Suddenly one of those huge prosperous looking cars drew up alongside the pavement, and one of those “Sethji” looking guys stepped out. Even though, the chauffer had skillfully parked the car, the parking ticket walla emerged from one of the nondescript stalls, and started waving his arms. All this to suggest that he had helped in getting the chauffer to park the car properly. I am sure he was hoping for a little tip from “Sethji” once he got back to the car. Seth ji in the meanwhile, had already walked on towards the shops, oblivious to the parking walla’s gestures. Suddenly I saw Chottu, the cobbler boy, running towards Seth ji, and incoherently shouting out something. He was holding out a smart, black wallet in his hand. I stood by to watch the tamasha.
Chottu was tingling with excitement by the time he reached Sethji. Ohh, I thought, Chottu was anticipating a big tip while returning Sethji his dropped wallet. Chottu’s sharp eyes had helped him today.
Sethji took his wallet rather matter of factly from Chottu (probably he was used a retinue of servants handing him back his dropped things). He then held out a Rs20 note for Chottu.
Chottu: Sir, mujhe kafi de do
Sethji: Kya Rs20 kafi nahin?
Chottu took the Rs20 note, and then pointed to Café Coffee Day and said “Kafi”…..”thanda kafi”
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