| |
Three weeks later...
Anuj took out the watch with a new shiny brown leather strap.
“Here’s your brand new watch.”
Ella couldn’t believe her eyes. Her watch was classy alright, with a golden dial and roman numerals. But the shiny brown strap had infused new life into it. As if it was a new watch just bought from a shop.
“Thank you so much,” said Ella.
“My pleasure.”
“How much did it cost you?”
Anuj looked upwards, his mind calculating the cost keeping the exchange rate in mind.
“Around 2 pounds, I think” he said.
“Okay, that’s reasonable,” said Ella. She opened her purse to take out some change.
“Ah, ah, ah—you don’t need to pay me. Two pounds is nothing. Consider this as a gift from my side,” said Anuj.
Ella looked at him surprised. “Really?”
Anuj nodded.
She’s taking you for a ride.
Let her, Anuj told his critical voice. “Asking for a measly 2 pounds is the height of cheapness.”
Ella wore the watch on her right wrist. Her eyes told Anuj how delighted she was.
“Have you seen my brand new watch?” said Ella displaying her watch to Anuj.
“I have not. This is the first time I’m seeing you wearing this. Where did you buy this?”
“Actually, someone gifted this to me,” smiled Ella.
“Gifted to you? Who?” Anuj acted surprised.
“Oh—someone,” said Ella.
“Do I know that person?” joked Anuj.
“Maybe,” laughed Ella.
“Come. Let’s cross over to that park there,” said Anuj.
Both were standing at a busy road. Anuj waited for a few seconds and the moment the traffic thinned down a bit, he quickly sprinted to the other side of the road like a fox.
“Where is Ella?” Anuj wondered and then looked here and there. He couldn’t find her. When he turned around, he saw she was still standing on the other side of the road. Hoping for the road to clear completely. But the more she waited, the more the traffic built up. There was no way she was going to get a clear road.
“Ella, why don’t you cross?” screamed Anuj waving his hands.
Ella looked here and there. She looked startled. The cars and bikes slowed down a bit.
“Ella, this is the right time,” screamed Anuj.
Ella again looked right and left and with great hesitation put her right foot forwards and then her left foot.
“What are you waiting for? Run,” screamed Anuj.
Ella jogged slowly and, and, and—she finally made it to the other side.
“Phew. Why did you take so long to cross the road?” asked Anuj.
“I can’t believe you can cross the road so quickly. Don’t you feel you may get run over by cars?” Ella was aghast.
“Naa. We are used to crossing roads like this in India. All the time. I think the London traffic is very decent, organised and courteous. Nobody gives a damn about you in India,” grinned Anuj.
“In Sweden—roads are clear most of the time. We don’t have a population problem and people certainly don’t jump behind from bushes like they do in India,” said Ella with a mischievous grin.
“Agreed you don’t have a population problem. But maybe that’s because nobody wants to live in Sweden except you,” Anuj grinned back.
Ella laughed. “Excuse me?”
“Look—the last time we met, you told me very clearly that you don’t have a distinct summer season,” said Anuj.
“That’s rubbish. When did I say that? Sweden definitely has a summer season,” said Ella.
“You call that summer! When you hardly get to see the sun? I see no reason why anyone would like to stay in such a place. If that’s not enough, your government also imposes a 60% tax on those who want to brave out the Swedish winters!” said Anuj.
Ella laughed.
“You moron. At least we never had a Prime Minister who used to drink his own urine,” said Ella.
She laughed and laughed and oh boy—laughed.
Anuj laughed with her. She’d stunned him with her general knowledge. She was absolutely right. Yes, India did have a Prime Minister—a fellow called Morarji Desai from 1977 to 1979—who did believe in what he called “auto urine therapy.” Surprisingly he lived up to 99!
“Hey, don’t blame the poor soul. He didn’t invent urine therapy. It was, as he claimed, popularised by a British naturopath by the name of John W. Armstrong in the early 20th century,” Anuj tried to explain.
“Oh, really,” Ella was chuckling non-stop.
“Oh yes. And this character Armstrong was in turn inspired by his own family's practice of using urine to treat minor stings and toothaches. And then he came across the Biblical Proverb 5:15, I think, that said: ‘Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well,’ and took it literally. In fact, this guy was so taken up with his ‘discovery’ that he started treating his own ill-health with, as he recorded, a 45-day fast with ‘nothing but urine and tap water.’”
“Gosh, but I still can’t believe you cannot cross roads,” grinned Anuj in an attempt to divert the discussion.
Ella looked sheepish.
“Hey not to worry. I’m more skilled because I’d had more experience in negotiating the traffic back home. But crowds still disconcert me,” said Anuj.
“Seriously?” said Ella.
“Yeah. Whenever I visit a crowded place, I almost get a panic attack. My heart beats faster and I hear a voice inside my head asking me to get out like hell,” said Anuj.
“Aawwwww,” said Ella.
“By the way, do you enjoy visiting quiet and peaceful places like parks and gardens?” asked Anuj.
“Yes. I love visiting parks,” said Ella.
“Then I know of a place you may like, better than this small patch of green in any case... If you have the time,” said Anuj.
“Sure, tell me,” said Ella.
“It’s a beautiful day today. It’s cold, bright and sunny. Your kind of weather,” said Anuj.
Ella giggled.
“Come, let’s go,” said Anuj.
