So it was that i had waited for an auto for a really long time (as usual), standing defenseless against the rain (and the passing motorists). An autowallah finally decided to have some pity on me and carried me home. For 10 rupees extra.
His metre was fast...bloody fast. If it was a couple of rupees fast, i wouldn't have minded. His was 20 rupees faster and i couldn't not do anything about it. So i told him. "Sir, nim metre tumba fast ide." ("Sir, your metre's very fast.")
For two whole minutes, he didn't say a thing. And then he said (in Hindi), "See madam, i am not going to deny the metre is fast, because it is. People do it on the sly but i will be honest with you - it is set at ten paise extra for every rupee. What to do ma? How is one supposed to manage children's school fees, three square meals a day, petrol, house rent and auto rent on the normal fares? Some people give the money quietly, some others give it and then say 'Ya, ya, you cheat and take money and it will never work for you'. What to do madam?"
Yes, i'm a sucker. I quietly paid him the metre amount. And the extra.
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