By Cheryl Susan Abraham
Shalini drove in circles for two hours. She grew irritated as the vehicles behind her started honking when she stopped to ask for directions. Couldn’t they just drive around her car? It’s not like there was a lot of traffic, on the contrary, it seemed like there were only five vehicles on the road. Strange, as she was told that this was usually a busy area. She’d spotted a tea shop and decided to ask the vendor for directions. The vehicles continued honking at her car as she stepped out of her car, seemingly annoyed at the fact that she’d simply ignored them. Eventually, they got the hint and drove around her car but Shalini had no idea how long it took for them to understand.
Shalini walked up to the vendor and greeted him. “Good afternoon”. “Good afternoon, madam. What kind of tea can I get you today? Would you like some snacks to eat with it? I make the tea and my wife makes all the snacks. Everything we serve here is homemade,” he responded with a smile on his face. Shalini wondered how it was possible for him to say everything without even pausing to take a breath. “That sounds lovely,” she said, “but I’m afraid I only need directions-”
“Madam, is yours the car that’s been driving back and forth this road for hours?”, he asked.
Caught off guard, she admitted, “Yes”.
“Madam, you should’ve come earlier to ask us for directions. You’ve been driving for hours in this extreme heat. Come with me and have some tea. You could do with some refreshments and luckily for you, I have refreshments. Have some tea,” he insisted.
Realizing that there was no point in trying to decline, she politely agreed.
He served her some cardamom tea and some of the best pav bhaji she’d ever tasted. In between bites, she told him that she was trying to get to Shalpuram. “Shalpuram?” he exclaimed, “Why, I grew up in Shalpuram. Oh, when I was a child, I would go jumping in the lake before I even learnt how to swim. Gave my mother numerous heart attacks,” he chuckled. “My wife, Nanda, is also from Shalpuram.” Nanda came out and asked Shalini whether she was trying to go to Shalpuram. When Shalini responded with a meek “Yes”, both husband and wife looked at each other and began reminiscing about their childhood days in Shalpuram. They entertained Shalini with their stories of how they met, how they managed to drive their parents along with the rest of the villagers crazy. When Shalini asked for directions again, they looked shocked. “Madam,” said the vendor, “there’s news of a thunderstorm coming this way today.” “Yes,” chimed in Nanda, stay with us for the night. We have an extra room and I have already prepared dinner. You can leave for Shalpuram tomorrow.”
Shalini tried pleading with them but they refused to relent. Ultimately, she gave in and thanked them for their hospitality.
Morning came and Shalini woke up feeling refreshed. Nanda had prepared a delicious breakfast of puri and lemon pickle. The vendor gave her clear directions to reach Shalpuram in one hour.
Before she turned to leave, she asked the vendor, “How much for the tea and snacks?” The vendor smiled and replied, “Madam, the tea and snacks are free. All you have to pay is Rs 1000.” Confused, Shalini asked, “Excuse me?” The vendor responded, “Food and accommodation were Rs 750. You also asked for directions. And there was a thunderstorm. We charge extra during thunderstorms.”
By Cheryl Susan Abraham
Comments