Three Indians and a Mall

The mall was overcrowded.

I don’t like crowded situations. Sometimes, I have even felt that a bout of claustrophobia is just about to take hold – but it has never actually done so.

But today it was different. I haven’t felt so light for a long time. The more people I saw – the more I felt like shouting out!

“Bring them on! Bring them on aplenty!�

The prices have all shot up. Even little things cost a lot more. We spent money like it was water flowing – I know it’s no big deal for the high-fliers around this site, but to some it is. Yes, it was expensive – but I almost felt reckless.

There is an inflation monster right behind us – and its hot breath is falling on one’s neck and it is not a comfortable feeling at all – but I was not going to let it bother us.

The sirdarjee looked all sweaty. He waited patiently along with the accumulated busload of empty trays that countless restaurant goers had left behind. The trays were empty but there were food crumbs left on several. Some crumbs stuck to his light blue apron. It had obviously been a long day.

The sirdarjee stood quietly – just as still as his inanimate tray cart.

The young man suddenly noticed him. He stopped attending to the customers in line who waited to place their order.

Uncle, koi baat?

Sirdarjee smiled. It was a shy smile. He did not want to be a bother. He pointed to one of the many drinking cups on the counter. No words were exchanged. The man at the counter handed him his large cup of smoothie with a gesture distinctly different from the curt professionalism he reserved for the paying customers – there was no doubt that this little act represented a personal gesture which, little as it was, gave him a lot of pleasure.

One minute later, and everything was back to the normal, mundane routine.

It is at times like this that I think leading a mundane life is not all that it is cracked up to be. In fact, it can mean so much fun I could do it forever.