Reporters: Red Rose

Remeniscing - the first case

Charan

"Last call for the boarders of Flight Air Spice heading to Australia..."

That was the last thing I heard as I came out of the airport and took in a deep breath- more like tried to.

There was a slight drizzle with the wind flowing to my face. Shielding my face with the palm I made my way towards a cab driver.

"To the Atrium...." I said getting in.

The cabbie nodded and the cab roared into life... Soon they were on the road speeding down the lane.

leaning back on the seat I relaxed. Finally, I was back. I closed my eyes and the wrinkles on the forehead lightened. I was happy.

I had been in Australia for the last four years. A scholarship has won me my dream of getting a degree in journalism there.

Now I had the degree and I was back.

Opening my eyes I shifted to the side and looked out of the window. The wide and sparse lane of the posh airport was left far behind. We were driving through narrower and dusty streets now.

I saw the cracked up and overly packed shops with tired-looking owners, there were billboards and posters in whichever directions your eyes went.

There were alleys going deeper into the background. I could only imagine the ramshackle and sorry state of the houses inside the alleyways.

Poor little children came running out of those alleyways, smiling,  dancing, and splashing around in the little drizzle.

I turned and looked back inside the cab. A smile tugged on my face. I closed my eyes and three smiling faces flashed.

The smile on my face deepened.

***

I got down from the cab.

"How much,"  I asked the driver

"Five hundred," the driver said holding up his fingers.

I took down the baggage and kept it down on the pavement. The rain had stopped a while ago.

I took out my wallet from the jeans and opened it to pay the driver.

That was when the shock hit me. I had forgotten to change the currencies back and the wallet was full of Australian Dollars.

I looked up to see the driver was looking at me. I gave a helpless smile and the driver raised an eyebrow.

"What happened," He said in a rough voice making him flinch.

"I...um...You see... I... Actually... Um"

"Boy quit stammering and pay up. Don't you tell me you can't pay" the driver said, his voice threatening.

"Um... Sir... I... You see.. I.. I don't have Indian rupees to pay" I explained lamely.

"What does this mean boy," the man said. He was visibly angry now.

I gulped and showed up my wallet. The driver checked it.

"What are these... American Dollars ... Where is my money"

These are Australian Dollars, I thought in my mind but, I doubt the man would like if I say this to him.

"I only have these notes... I... I don't have money to pay" I said and looking down ashamed.

"Why you!!" the man advanced to slap Me.

"CHARAN IS THAT YOU" a voice called from some distance to the right of the pavement.