- Vol. 10
- Chapter 09
Escapade
It’s drizzling. The pavement always turns slippery during the monsoon. Lucky, I do not have heavy baggage. Just the Gucci tote bag, the Tommy Hilfiger purse and this crimson umbrella. Two years ago, I could have easily walked down the cobbled pavement and around the two blocks to my home. But I do not trust my knees anymore. What if they gave away, like the time they did at the movie theatre two months ago. The fall, the hassle, the onlookers, the hospital, the diagnosis…the rigmarole was just too much to handle. My daughter Amelia came all the way from Canada to make sure I was safe and alright. Her instructions to me not to venture out alone still ring in my ears. She won’t be too happy if she learns about this escapade.
But then what can one do? I had to get out to get over my cabin fever. And that is why I chose my finest dress to wear even if it was only for a short trip to the supermarket. I remember I last wore this pink Burberry jacket, the stockings and these ballerinas to attend Amelia’s graduation ceremony at the university.
I really wish I could have gotten a lift now.
Ah. The heavens have heard me. Here it comes. But it is such a short distance. I wonder if the driver would agree. No harm in trying.
‘Taxi. Taxi. Stop. My home is just around the corner. Two blocks away and look at the cumulonimbus filled sky. Could you please…I can? You will? Bless you. Such a kind lady you are.’
Escapade
Phew. Let me get in. There, closed the door and just in time. The size of those raindrops - as big as two-rupee coins.
Why, the taxi has halted. There’s no other vehicle around. What’s the matter. Oh. It’s just the traffic signal. Alright.
How much shall I pay the driver. She does not have the meter turned on. Maybe twenty rupees, the minimum fare. Will it be too little. No other driver would have agreed to drop me. What would have happened if she had not agreed.
I think I’ll pay her a hundred rupees. Kindness cannot be repaid with money but that is all I can do right now.