So it was a random evening, neither late into the night
nor that early into the evening. I found myself in one of those many pharmacies
right in front of ADK Hospital on Sosun Magu. As I approached the
counter, I received the typical foreign pharmacist grin, the mustache wink (you know what I mean), I am not sure whether he is Indian or Bangladeshi, I
asked him for a particular tablet, and then someone tapped me on the back.
Turned around in a reflex, stood a young gentleman of
average height, mid 20s wouldn’t say 30, bearded but not “Bearded” in you know
what fashion. On sight one would observe two distinct features of this
gentleman, 1- He seemed in a hurry as if he has to run a marathon, and 2- He
was under the influence of some sort of intoxicate.
“Sir, can you please give me 10Rf? I need to get a
medicine” he said in a trembling voice.
The foreign pharmacist gave me a serious look and then
shook his head in a motion which I am to take as “don’t give”.
“Sir please I only need a 10Rf to get the medicine,
please help” he continued.
“I have only got a 100Rf note, I don’t have a separate
10Rf” I told him.
“Why don’t you get change from the pharmacist?” he asked.
Well, frankly I didn’t know what to do. Avoiding this
gentleman may be wrong in two possible ways. 1- He might be actually missing a
10Rf to buy the medicine or 2- He might be associated with some sort of gang
and/or might as well have a sharp object ready to strike.
Not wanting to take any risks, I asked the pharmacist for
a change of 100Rf, I got the change in one 50RF, two 20Rfs and one 10RF, I gave
the gentleman the note of 10Rf, and then he says,
“Actually its 20Rf, can you please give me a 20 also?”
“This is all I have, sorry” I walked out as fast as I
can.
I spent three years in India and I have met many beggars,
I have actually seen the different varieties and classes of beggars India has
to offer. Never did I meet someone in the state I found the gentleman in and
never did I feel threatened by one.
O_o
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