Thursday, August 20, 2020

THIS IS NOT A STORY

I wanted to buy some groceries and I went to the supermarket to-day following all the precautions by wearing face-mask, applying the gel, and distancing required due to the current situation created by Coronavirus.

I then started collecting the things that were on my shortlist. When I was standing in the queue to pay the bill, while taking the money from my purse, a 500 rupee note slipped out of my hand and, fell on the floor. Suddenly, the man who was standing in front of me bent down and picked up my note.

I held out my hand expecting him to give back my money to me. I still could not believe that there were people ready to extend a helping hand when others were in difficulty. Wow. How much sympathy and kindness he had in these pandemic times - I thought. 

I was trying to stay away as a precaution so that he would feel safe and I was also preparing to thank him for his gesture. But suddenly, what he told me was shocking. He said the money belongs to him and he justified that whatever that is lying on the ground belongs to the person who found it. 

Uttering those unkind words, he left the scene just like that, as if he had not done anything wrong. I looked pathetically at the lady standing behind me and the people next to me. They all looked at me in shock and disbelief, whispering between them.

For a moment, I was trying to evaluate myself. I wanted to do justice on my own. I left my purchases, because I had no money to pay, and went after him to the parking lot, to have my 500 returned.

However, I realized that a few people standing close to me in the line came along with me, curious to know what was going to happen. I spoke to him demanding my money but he just looked at me with contempt and acted as if I was no one to him.

When he got to his car, he put his two shopping bags, he was holding in his hands, on the floor to take the key out of his pocket to open the trunk. And I thought it is the time now to act and repay!

Immediately, I grabbed his two bags lying on the floor and told him the same words that he had told me earlier in the queue. "What you find on the floor belongs to the person who finds it". I started moving with laughter and some fear and for being proud of my revenge.

The people around started applauding me and I could see that the “smart guy" was outsmarted and he left the place driving furiously dropping security cones on his path. I felt a rush of adrenaline, fright, and nervousness, but then I cried with laughter.

When I got home I opened the bags and found:

- 2 kg of apples
- 1 kg each of sugar and salt.
-  cheese and yogurt of two flavors
- whole-grain bread
-  2 packs of orange juice
- 2 jars of strawberry jam
- 2 kg of very good quality green peas
- 1 jar of pickles

I could not have imagined buying so many items with just Rs.500.00. Sitting leisurely on my couch, I am now sipping a glass of orange juice thinking whether I am a vigilante or a vindictive person?

HAVE YOU READ THIS UNTIL HERE? THANK YOU FOR READING.

Actually, this never happened to me. The habit of reading is on the decline due to the advent of the Internet and other apps. Reading stimulates the mind and imagination and also to communicate. I just wished to make you read a passage and develop the habit!

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