The Lost Art of Waiting

     It’s that time of the year, for which we wait eagerly, every passing month for the whole year. Since childhood, the auspicious festival of Diwali and the vacations that compliment the festival, have had a memorable imprint in our lives. Then, it used to be chutti (holidays) from the school and now it is more of chutti only, but from Work ! The fervour starts with travel plan, months in advance, during the Ganesha Chaturthi festival (that time of the year, which marks the arrival of festive season throughout India).

      So, we are back to our roots, with the loved ones, who wait for us eagerly, during the whole year, making preparations for the ‘Dhanteras’, ‘Laxmi Pooja’, ‘Govardhan Pooja’ and other local festive events. In the midst of all this ‘ho-halla’ (festive chaos, the good one), two cousins sneaked out in an Ola Electric Scooter to just roam around the city for an hour after dinner, the way they used to roam around in childhood. Adulthood and it’s responsibilities had taken away their chance to be free like the wind. It was Ammu’s scooter on which, Monu was having his first ride in the 2 years, since Ammu had bought it.

       While searching for the ‘kabuli chana’ (chickpeas — for the Chhole curry to be prepared next day), Ammu described about the nearby ‘Gupchup’ (‘paani-poori’) wala stall. It was one of the best paanipuri in town. Monu’s taste buds got super excited and wanted to taste the paanipuris , the very next minute. In that chilly winter night, they stopped at the stall and relished the gupchups, reminiscing the good olden days, secretly pondering individually, how much they missed it. Monu’s professional career had let him migrate to another tier-2 city, while Ammu had set up his own business in this tier-3 city and used to stay with his parents and family. They now used to meet, whenever Monu made a visit to his hometown.

        After eating the paanipuris, which was served by the stall owner’s son, aged around 17 years, the stall owner started inquiring from Ammu, about the Ola Electric Scooter’s price, range and finance options. He had done his own research on other available options in the market too. Monu was surprised by the amount of details he had on the electric vehicle options in the city. Ammu told the stall owner about his friends vehicle showroom and asked him to call back, the next morning to get the things sorted out for them to buy the scooter. Ammu asked to get his phone number, when the stall owner’s son took out his mobile and tried to call Ammu. But, since DnD was activated on the son’s number (he must have had it activated when he was working at his father’s stall to avoid unnecessary distractions), call could not be connected. So, they exchanged contacts manually.

         Meanwhile, the stall owner asked his son to take a test ride on the scooter to check, if he liked it and it was exactly what he wanted. The son hesitated to go for a test ride alone, but his father mentioned that “Ammu sir is a very old customer and he won’t mind you taking the test ride”. While the stall owner’s son had gone, he shared with the cousins the reason for buying the EV. He said, “One day my son came to me and narrated that while he goes to the college to pursue his degree, all his friends ride their fancy bikes, while he needs to manage on his father’s 15 year old scooter”. He further inquired Ammu, if he can make a down payment of 3000 INR and then pay the rest of the amount in 3000 INR EMIs for the vehicle which costed more than a lakh rupees. What else could a local paanipuri wala can afford ? His son’s wish or his disappointment ?

       While Monu was silently witnessing all this, he asked the stall owner’s son (after he came back from his ride) about his studies, college and future plans. He thought of letting the son know about his father’s plans of buying the scooter and persuade him to wait for some more time, till he could earn on his own and get the scooter. It was not like they did not have any vehicle as of now for the college commute, but seeing their financial circumstances, he felt Waiting was the best way out in this scenario, both for the stall owner and his son. But, witnessing the expression on the son’s face after the ride, and his father’s urge (as the bread winner of his family) to fulfill the desires of his son, Monu decided to Wait and did not say anything to either of them. To Monu also, Waiting seemed to be the best way out in this emotional situation.