That was me.... twenty seven years ago.....

Posted by Tandarin Nike Monday, December 14, 2009 8:42 AM
The twenty seventh of January was my birthday. I figured the best way to celebrate was to strike up a conversation with someone I didn't know.
That would have been about ten a.m and it was a tuesday.

At the corner of Worli seaface and Century Bazar, I stopped a well-dressed sixty-year-old with a briefcase in his right hand and that certain uppitiness of lawyers and notaries.

"Excuse me, sir," I said, "could you please tell me how to get to the Shivaji Park?"

The man stopped, gave me the once-over, and asked a pointless question: "Do you want to go to the Shivaji Park, or to the Prabhadevi Park?"

"Actually, I'd like to go to the Shivaji Park, but if that's not possible, I'm fine with just about any place else."

"O.K., then," he said, eager to speak and without having paid any attention to me at all, "head that way" — he pointed north — "cross Bengal Chemicals, Prabhadevi, …"

I realized he was having fun ticking off the eight streets I'd have to cross, so I decided to interrupt:

"Are you sure about what you're saying?"

"Absolutely."

"Forgive me for doubting your word," I explained, "but just a few minutes ago a man with an intelligent face told me that the Shivaji Park was the other way" — and I pointed toward the Worlinaka.

The fellow could only reply, "Must be someone who's not familiar with the city."

"Nevertheless, like I said, he had an intelligent face. And naturally, I prefer to believe him, not you."

Giving me a stern look, he asked, "All right, tell me, why do you prefer to believe him instead of me?"

"It's not that I prefer to believe him instead of you. But, like I said, he had an intelligent face."

"You don't say! And I suppose I look like an idiot?"

"No, no!" I was shocked. "Who ever said such a thing?"

"Since you said that the other fellow had an intelligent face…"

"Well, truthfully, this man had a very intelligent look about him."

My sparring partner was growing impatient.

"Very well, then, Sir," he said, "I'm rather pressed for time, so I'll say good-bye and be on my way."

"That's fine, but how do I get to the Prabhadevi Park?"
His face betrayed a spasm of irritation.

"But didn't you say you wanted to go to the Shivaji Park?"

"No, not the Shivaji Park. I want to go to the Prabhadevi Park. I never said anything about the Shivaji Park."

"In that case," and now he was pointing south, "take that street and…"

"You're driving me crazy!" I protested. "Didn't you say before that I should head in the opposite direction?"

"Because you said you wanted to go to the Shivaji Park!"

"I never said anything about the Shivaji Park! How do I have to say it? Either you don't know the language, or you're still half-asleep."

The fellow turned red. I saw his right hand grip the handle of his briefcase. He said something that's better not repeated and marched off with rapid, aggressive steps.

I got the feeling he was a bit upset. Hehehehe..!!!!

2 Response to "That was me.... twenty seven years ago....."

  1. Ankush Naik Says:

    haha, brilliantly written. Keep posting more such real life experiences.

  2. Tandarin Nike Says:

    Sure.. Do visit my blog and pass on your comments. Thanks anyway..!!

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