The Two Thousand Rupees

Yesterday, I went to the market with the prudence dictated by the new normal. Mask and safety distance.

I then started to get the things that were on my short list, and when I was lining up to pay, between taking the money and storing the phone, the Rs.2000 note I had to pay fell on the floor, and the man who was in front of me finished paying his purchases slowly bent down and picked up my note.

Woww.. How much education and kindness in these pandemic times - I thought. I held out my hand, waiting for him to give me back my money, trying to stay away, so that he would feel safe while preparing to thank him for the gesture.

But suddenly, what he told me was shocking - What's on the floor belongs to whoever finds it! - and just like that, he left ... naturally, as if he hadn't done anything wrong.

I looked at the lady behind me and the people next to me and they all looked at me in shock and disbelief, whispering things between them.

For a moment there, I was trying to evaluate myself. I wanted to do justice on my own ... I left my purchases, because I had no way to pay, and went after him to the parking lot, to have my Rs.2000 returned.

However, I realized that the people closest to the line came after 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 like I was invisible.

When he got to the car, he slowly put his five overloaded shopping bags on the floor to take the key out of his pocket and open the trunk, and I thought - It's now or never!

I took all the bags and told him the same thing he had said to me - What is on the floor belongs to those who find it! - and I started running towards the exit, between fright and laughter, proud of my revenge.

The spectators started to applaud and I saw that the “smart guy” had been irritated after all, as he left the parking lot dropping security cones in his path.

I swear 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:

- 5 kg apples

- 15 kg of sugar

- cheese and yogurt packs of kg that too of two flavors

- whole grain bread, pizza base, cakes 

- 5 packs of orange juice

- 2 jars of strawberry jam

- 2 kg of very good quality green peas

- 1 jar of mayonnaise, shezwan chutney, pizza sauce each

I had never made so many purchases with only Rs.2000.

And now here I am ... Having a glass of orange juice, eating and thinking as I write - am I a vigilante or a vindictive person?

HAVE YOU READ THIS UNTIL HERE?

This obviously did not happen to me. It's just a campaign to promote reading!

Reading stimulates the mind and imagination, makes us travel to other places, and even helps communication.