The place was a rut, urine remains marking the walls a murky yellow with signs prohibiting public urination right above. The food display in the front court was infested with flocks of house flies buzzing and aiming right for the sweets. The view inside wasn't any prettier. Middle aged truck drivers chewing on laal masala from once openly advertised tobacco brands. The scene wasn't much different from Sonagachi drug dens. I sensed a reflection of the red lights in every paan stained red tongue. Men spitting everywhere and adolescent boys cleaning after their body fluids. The waiters were also underage children: all boys with one possible pre teen girl washing the dishes as I picked up from a conversation between two crushing boys.
Absorbing all of the chaos in, we were led into a private area, a Narnia of the dhabha world. The VIP room, as they called it, was a dimly lit room with bold devilish red paint on one wall and other supposedly seductive hues slapped here and there. The utensils were relatively clean, key word being relative. The food preparation was depicted as hygienic as the waiter boy came in wearing a pair of rubber gloves that also served as a convenient sweat wiper.
Rishabh was either understandably embarrassed or surprisingly amused when he chose to serve myself and him food inside of the little boy using his sweaty gloved hands. He opened up his heart and wallet to the boy and gave him a hefty 5000 rupee tip to hide from the owner. The boy greeted the generosity with a wink and proceeded to put the cash securely in his crotch region with the gloves still on. Lord help the VIPs who are about receive a helping of the next meal. The Taste of India dhabha truly was a taste of the India we all so strategically ignore.
"What say, shall we eat?"
Rishabh did not know what I would throw at him for making that seemingly ridiculous statement. But, this was not the first time for me or my immune system battling hoards of pathogens. What occupied my mind was a vision of a sickly, vomiting, miserable Rishabh. Before I could say anything, he started nibbling on the lacchedaar paratha.
"If we speak for the people, we must eat like the people". He used the most clich statement every made in the history of politics. But, in his case, it held some truth even if out of desperation.
"Cheers", we clinched our bronze lassi glasses together and drank till we had a milk mustache.
"Here is to food poisoning", he let out a loud burp.
"Here is to incredible India", we shared a shounf aur chini mix palate cleanser.
I did not know he had it in him. I did not know the sheltered, groomed rich kid could experience the real world and make it out alive. As we walked out the best-worst food place with oncoming diarrhea, he said something that made me rethink our compatibility.
He said, "I want to help these kids get out. I want them to live a life where they don't need people like me".
Perhaps, it was the dopamine talking or the remote possibility that his words mesmerized me. In any case, I let my head rest on his shoulder. I let my hand clutch his elbow and walk lazily back to the car.
Can you believe it? Cause I can't. I actually managed to impress the girl. When I least expected, in that filth of a place, eating that animal food. Shit, if I get bird flu right now, it will be worth the fruit. Did you see her smile? I knew she was trying to hide her musings behind a stern face. Did you see her bloated face rest on my shoulder? Did you see her sleep like a baby? Did you catch her in those moments of vulnerability? Cause I did and the girl is worth the fight, any fight.
I would jump off a bridge, dance naked in the streets, go vegan if she said the word and you know I love meat more than I love my parents. So, that is kind of big alright! Maybe even stand up against Bittuji…...No, I am not sure about the last one.
Now is the time to test the waters. Now is the time to find out what my battles imply. Let us go get Noori back.
p.s. don't you geeks correct me on what dopamine does, I know. Okay, JK go on.
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
