Bubun and I set out on a repeat visit to the Chaatwala who had won our hearts with his Dahi Papdi chaat on the first order of five portions we had placed on him only a few days earlier. His stall is close to the place where Bubun and Pinki live in Bangalore.
Besides my silver-white hair, my gratuitous clicks of the camera photographing his shop, its merchandise and its talented staff, certainly would have made an impact on him about my genial nature. At least that is how his generous smile on our second visit looked to me.
Both Bubun and I complimented him for the tasty chaat he had sold to us. Our words made him happy but made him look humbler too. We, this time, wanted five portions of Dahi papdi chaat and fifteen pieces of Samosa.
While his men sprang to action almost immediately; Bubun resumed talking about his visit to the picture hall to watch the much talked about film " Burfi". Pinki had made a request to him some days ago that they should see the widely acclaimed film. (I hope I am spelling the venerable title right.). Bubun was reluctant to spare three hours of the holiday, on watching a film in an auditorium. He tried his best to persuade Pinki that she and Sambit went instead to see the picture after he had arranged tickets for both. He would prefer to spend the day at home. Pinki, however, vetoed the suggestion.
Bubun bought four Gold Class Tickets, each costing Five Hundred Rupees and they set out on "Mission Burfi". All the three companions of Bubun had a look of great jubilation while Bubun was slightly apprehensive. Sidhant, the younger child, was all excitement while their car approached the picture hall. A happy family trouped into the Gold Class of the well known picture hall of the city.
Soon after they had settled down on the comfortable seats, vendors of popcorn and coke arrived and Sidhant stood up in great excitement. Bubun bought those in adequate quantity and settled the bill. Sidhant started eating and talking. Suddenly the hall was plunged into dark. Burfi descended on the silver screen, with great fanfare. The pervading silence and hushed up excitement of the viewers in the hall was shattered by a loud scream of Sidhant. He wanted to see light and fun outside the hall.
Bubun was prompt enough to realise the seriousness of the situation. Anxious that the viewers had a peaceful time while the show went on, he lifted the child, the packets of popcorn and coke bottles and rushed out of the hall. The child outside and the spectators inside were now happy. He looked for a chair outside the hall, in the lobby. A sympathetic popcorn seller having a stall there was courteous enough to offer him a seat. This offer could not have been totally altruistic. He had business in mind as he found Sidhant’s prying eyes surveying the shop meaningfully.
While Sidhant enjoyed freedom and his favourite snacks; Bubun showed his frustration through menacing postures at a couple of elusive mosquitoes who kept biting him. He was anxious that after the expensive misadventure, he was not a victim of Dengue. During the brief interlude, Pinki and Sambit appeared; talked briefly about how fabulous the film had been so far. They persuaded Sidhant to join them inside the hall along with his father. The request was summarily rejected by the freedom loving child. Bubun suffered another ninety minutes; playing with the child and the mosquitoes till Pinki and Sambit joined him and then the happy family of four got into the car. Pinki promised to tell Bubun the story later in the evening.
Suddenly I realised that the chatwalla was wondering why we were not collecting our packets of Samosa and Chaat. Bubun’s commentary on the film had ended. He collected the packets while I made the payment and thanked the chaatwala.
I looked at Sidhant, in my arms, more intently to reach that domain in his playful personality from where mischief sprang so profusely. Unable to locate the source, I only embraced him more endearingly, while his father looked on, smiling.
******
6th October, 2012
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