Kitni bechain hoke tumse milii
On one of my frequent (yes, they are fairly regular in their occurrence now) visits to the loo in office, I took time to spend 2 minutes extra at the mirror. Looked me face up & decided I needed a wash. So did just that. Rubbed the face dry and walked back out. Lo and behold! The door is jammed. Looked through the glass and discovered there was one of them signboards on the outside that read : "Closed for Maintenance - Inconvenience regretted"
I try my luck at the door. Won't budge. So try banging a little, albeit in a shy sort of way cos its an office remember? Lots of people pass outside. Some lost in thought, some rummaging papers, some with cups-o-tea...but they all ignore my pleas for help. So I wait. Try the cell phone to call a colleague for help. Signal's low. Get a frantic call from boss. There's a meeting planned and Im not around. He can't hear me, hangs up. Signal's low. DARN!
As if in answer to my prayers, she comes swaying by. Green saree and red blouse. Smile on supari chewing lips almost mocking my state-o-affairs. The badge on her person tells me she is "Yellamma". Unlocks the door and in a raspy voice says, "Yen amma, yenaithu?!" (kya madum, kya hua) I just say a hurried thanks, "Aamele barthini" (Will come later). She laughs.
I hum on my way out ..."Kitni bechain hoke tumse milii, mujhko kya thii khabar ki main itni akeli..." Bipasha Basu wouldn't have found a more opportune time to sing that one!
