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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10 comments:
Do you too miss Klash?
Great one...!! :-)
@ Doksaab: I do miss Klash..
very interesting- infact read all the articles on the page...I loved the one u posted before your wedding the most..:)
Nondini....i was eagerly waiting for ur post for a long-long time...and it goes without saying,all this wait was absolutely worth it......Brilliantly written....wonderful imaginatiion and observation as usual.....u have all the hallmarks of an excellent writer....keep up the good work....
I should not reminisce and start sounding the way my grandfather used to! But cannot help remembering the school days when a patty or a coke used to cost 25 paisa! Cafe Coffee Day is recent, I think that big hissing monster of a machine that makes Espresso Coffee Maker had just about made its debut at that time in India.
Nandini, this made me remember your crisp and lucid Klash posts (agree with Dok Saab). I love your style of writing. The best part about it is, I don't feel intimidated by a glance at the remaining text like I mostly do when I reading blogs, cause I know I would glide through it.
And enjoyed the content, too. As usual! I admire the way you admire simple things in life and present them with delectable simplicity. :)
Looking forward to more! :)
very nice write......as it made me feel that i am going through this incident....
Thanks people :-)).....nice to get your comments.
Dok Saab & Sarang - Yes, I do miss Klash :-(
Hmmm.... Sorry Nandini.... Itna maza nahi aaya.... Don't know why.... May be I was expecting too much... Was reading it too seriously, in anticipation for a witty, tricky, creative end... But found it abrupt... Sorry dear... I may not have authority to give such a comment.... 'Cause I don't write anything compare to you... But just didn't feel like 'Nandini'... I might be wrong... But that's what I feel. :-) Hope I am not sounding harsh.
Sweet story. I also love to drink a hot coffee with a lot of milk and have a small chat with my girls. This is all I need after a hard day at the office.
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