Mark's POV
'Sahab ji Cyber Hub bahut durr hai. 500 rupee se kam nhi lagnge' The auto wallah was saying and all the other drivers were nodding their head. I for a fact knew that it was not that far away due to my frequent visits and that they were asking for an insane amount.
I tried to bargain 'dekho....I know its nor that far. I will give you 300 and not a rupee more.' But not being an Indian had its disadvantages. Top one being – The inability to bargain.
I was getting late for my meeting and hence wondering if I should give in.
I was almost on the verge of giving in when I heard a loud feminine voice 'oyi.. you idiots why are you harassing this handsome man. He is a gift of God. You should embrace it.'
I looked across the street to find two girls giggling. Both were wearing jeans and tees and it looked like they were out for an afternoon of fun. Too bad they were having at my stake. Any other time had they called me handsome it would have earned them a few points in my book but now irritated and hot I was a step short of bursting out. Seeing them giggling did the trick. The dam was burst open. I opened my mouth to let my thoughts known but it was the autowallah that spoke ' Madam.. jao jao. Apna kaam karo aur hume apna kaam karne do.'
It was like the switch was flipped. Their giggling stopped and they crossed the street in determined steps. One of them spoke. ' No. No. You don't. You are harassing someone and asking me to ignore it. I won't.'
Then she was speaking to me.
'Oyi hero.. kaha jana h tumhe?'
But I was looking at the black waves that were cascading down her back. I had a thing for women with long hair. And when she moved they danced as if they had a life of their own. When she spoke again my eyes were drawn to her soft pink lips.
'Sadma toh nhi lag gaya isse.'
She was asking her friend and I was staring at her like an idiot. She snapped her fingers at me and I was brought out of my trance.
I spoke abruptly 'You are very pretty.'
She blushed for just a second that if you were not looking closely you would have missed it. Then she was back to her ferocious self.
" Dekho Mister I am trying to help you. Mere upar line maarne ka sochna bhi mat.'
' Ab batao kaha jana h.'
I was again lost in her hazel eyes and had to recall what she asked.
'Oh yeah... Cyber hub'
She turned to the autowallah and I caught a whiff of jasmine form her hair. I almost died then and there. But was bought back with a shock when she said '70 rupee se jyada ka distance nhi h. Chup chap sahab ko chod aao aur 70 se ek pasie jyada mat lena.'
Autowallah nodded mutely and asked me to sit down. Even he understood it was futile to argue.
I thanked her and her friend for help and asked them to dinner as a thank you.
She waved at me and replied as the auto took off. 'Ye India h mere dost. Don't make a habit of asking out women on streets or you will get beaten in no time.'
I laughed loud at her cheekiness.
I got off at my destination with only two thoughts in mind.
One I forgot to ask her name and second
Damn I have to learn the art of bargaining if I have to stay in India.
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