Mango Fiasco
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The mango season was fast
receding at Rourkela, a city in the eastern part of India
where the choicest mango from north India comes. Swagat is very fond of mangoes but enjoy it
most if it’s not from his own pocket. He was given an ultimatum by his wife Kalyani to
bring “Chossa” mango or else things will take an ugly turn in the home front.
“Chossa” being the costliest mango during that time of the season, Swagat used
to make some plea like better quality mango will come after 2 days or Neelam
mango is only available or the market was closed as that was the last Friday of
the month and so on and so forth so that he gets the excuse from his wife.
But this time there was no escape -he had to bring the mango
of “her” choice .The lady of the house had enough information about the market
position of mangoes. Due to distance factor Kalyani could not go to the market of
her own.
While coming from the office our officer Swagat went to his
known shopkeeper Laxman who supposed to be selling mango at a reduced price
especially to him but infect he was charging more than others. Swagat is a
peculiar character in the sense that he feels heaviness in chest when he goes
to bring money from bank or has to pay some one.
When he asked “Laxman” what is the price?
“Eighty” for you sir!
“Make it sixty and give mango worth hundred.
“So it be”
The selected mangoes were weighed and packed in a polythene
bag.
As Swagat put his hand on the back pocket the purse was
gone. When he almost collapsed on the ground when some people came to his
rescue and made him sit on a near by concrete bench marked by birds droppings. Swagat
had the maximum money in his purse for the first time in life, the petro card, pay
slips, newly acquired ATM card and the driving license.
Laxman asked a shocked Swagat “if he would call a taxi or he
can go back home of his own?”
Swagat told that his pocket has been picked with very
important documents and currency notes. He is not in a position to pay for the
mangoes.
Laxman told “sir,pay it next time.”
With heavy heart Swagat went near the police station to
lodge a FIR but there was no one to accept his complaint. So he came back home
still sweating with a shrunken face. He was cursing himself for his negligence.
It was 2:30pm and by that time he would have been very
hungry but the huge loss was a great shock for him. Brooding over the lost purse
Swagat entered the house with the black polythene bag with the mangoes.
After removal of shoes he went straight to the bed room and
laid down flat. His wife was puzzled by her husband’s behavior asked “is every
thing ok?”
“Yes, yes” replied Swagat.
“Then why instead of asking for lunch you have gone straight
to the bed room?”
Swagat replied – “I am feeling dizzy; please give me a glass of
cold water”.
“That would spoil your appetite”
“Let it be, I don’t feel like eating” Swagat replied
“Is some thing wrong with you? Let’s go to hospital or I call
your friend Dr.Parida?”
“Neither hospital nor a doctor could make me feel better
except the time”.
Wife could smell that some thing was wrong with Swagat but
could not make it out what it could be.
After half an hour Swagat left for his office and on the way
took a chance to lodge the FIR but till then no one had turned up in the police
station except some hungry lockup youths who were shouting for food.
Swagat finished his office work and it was time to go back
home. Again he went to the police station for help. But he was asked by the I/C officer
to prove that his purse has actually been picked then only they will accept the
complaint. Another witness signature is also required for completion of the
formalities. Swagat thought to him self with so much paper work and the
uncertainty, it’s better to come next day with a friend known to these police
people. He badly needed a certificate from police for the duplicate ATM and
driving license.
After parking his car in the garage he closed the gate when
a smiling Kalyani, with heavy makeup and a gorgeous sari greeted Swagat.
She broke the silence and said-
“Relax Swagat; relax why you are so tense?”
“You probably don’t know what ails me today?”commented Swagat.
“Yes I know every thing”
“Come on?”
After you left for the office a young boy came and handed
over your purse with a letter written in Hindi, should I read it for you?”
“Yes,be quick”-replied Swagat.
The letter read like this “ sorry, sir for the trouble, Munna
picked your pocket near the car park. When he deposited the purse with me I saw
your photograph and your home address, at once I asked the boy to return it to
you. He did not know that you are same the person who saved my life when I had brain
malaria last year. Please inform me in future if there is any problem regarding
theft or criminal threats in my mobile no 88997766…..”
Swagat got so excited
that he lifted his wife from the ground and told her “Criminals too have a
heart”
sanjoy kumar satpathy
