Indraneel Majumdar: Bunty aur Babli

August 2, 2016

Those days, Chandani Chowk used to be place that one could go to, sit on the side of the road and look down at the city with some interest. In the night.

One of those days, the family and me, three people, decided to walk up the road towards Khadakvasla and see what the nature and the night could bring to us. It became increasingly quiet. The few restaurants that dotted the sides of the narrow road and were usually brimming with people for the booze and the food they offered were passed. Another bend and we would not be able to see the city skyline anymore.

We, specifically I, decided to turn back. I could see the few cars parked on the side of the road and I did not want the young daughter to know about the mysteries of parked cars before time. So, we turned. The last restaurant that we had left behind had put on some tinny music.

Bunty aur Babli.

And then we saw the couple. The lady was okay. The man seemed inebriated a bit. They had just come down the steps to the edge of the road. She spoke to him. “I can take an auto from the chowk and drop you too. Don’t take the bike, please!” He laughed. Rather, he guffawed. Then he stumbled. Then he looked at her and laughed again. Then he again stumbled and he fell. Flat, on the ground. Young man. I could see that. Straggly beard. Thin face. Thin torso. Tee shirt and jeans. Standard Pune uniform. The bike could have been anywhere. I could not see it on the road. The girl started to wear her all-encompassing scarf. The scarf that would make her completely unidentifiable by all, including her parents, if they happen to be prowling around.

Bunty aur Babli.

Then she started her lecture. “Why do you drink if you cannot hold it? Why do you come out with me every time and start drinking like a fish? You cannot hold even two beers, so why touch the drink? This is the last time I am coming out with you. Dunno what I see in you that I agree to come every time. It is getting late, aai maybe looking to call me anytime now. Where is your phone? Why are you sitting down? What’s happened?”

The poor guy. He stumbled and fell. He was trying to catch his alcohol laden breath. He drank, probably just to show off. He understood he was in trouble and he had to recuperate. But the clamouring lady was not allowing him to think. Maybe that’s why he was drinking. Maybe that was his way of trying to call off the whole thing. The poor guy sat there, goofily smiling at her. Till she upped, snorted and started walking downhill, towards the chowk.

A few minutes later, the guy got up. No stumble. We had passed him already and were lounging beside our car. He passed by. Ramrod straight. Now I could see his bike. He went towards it. Kicked up, put it into gear and whizzed away. Think what you have to think.

Bunty aur Babli.

Indraneel Majumdar is a CEO of a hospitality and amusement company, owns a business, chases trivia and enjoys ‘slice of life’ situations. After spending many years in Pune and Mumbai, he now lives in Bengaluru. This column appears every Tuesday.