Bargain: What I Gain

I just came back from the market and got all the groceries as per the list. I just gave bag to my Maa. She said, “I just forgot to ask you to get few lotus flowers for pooja." She was little scared that I might not go again, as they were very much important for her. This time I was ready to go again, if I could get a cup of coffee.

She readily agreed to bribe me. I had finished my coffee and started my bike again without any hope, as it was too late. I was riding the bike for nearly two hours and had covered most of the markets and places where street vendors usually sell lotus flowers. But, as it was already 11 AM, I could not find any. After an exhaustive search, finally I decided to go back home waiting at a signal to turn green. Suddenly a lady came to me and said, “Saheeb I have only few lotus flowers left, and could you please buy them for 100 rupees.” I was speech less how could this happen. It is not a fairy tale and she is not an angle.

As I was not talking she requested again, “Saheeb! I have sold each flower for 20 rupees and now I have nearly five of them. I will give all the five to you for just only 60 rupees. please!”

Without thinking twice, I gave her a hundred rupee note and after giving me the lotus she started searching for change to return. I asked her to keep the change and she was so happy, and words started reaching me with a smile, “Thank you Saheeb! I would be happy to go home now.” I started my bike and was thinking; the lady was under an impression that I was helping her. But, that was not true instead she just came to help me. For festival, lotus was only source of income to feed her family. Other days, I was wondering what she might be doing for living. Going home happy with the lotus flowers, I decided not to bargain with the street vendors as they strive hard to live and are self-employed living a simple life with self-respect.

I reached home and my Maa was very much happy to see the lotus. After pooja, I had a heavy lunch as the table was served with quite a lot of varieties. I was feeling sleepy and left to my room for a quick nap.

Evening I was sitting in balcony and my Maa brought a coffee and asked me what is Kinder Joy. I replied,"it is an egg shape chocolate and their will be a small toy inside it for kids". Now I was curious and asked her the reason why she is asking Kinder Joy. Maa said, "As you know our watchman has a little girl, may be just 21/2 years old. Watchman`s mom promised her that she will buy her a Kinder Joy. She is a street vendor and lives somewhere in slums near railway station. Watchman was saying that, today she was luckily as someone gave her a tip of forty rupees and she bought a Kinder Joy for her grand daughter. See how difficult it is for them". She just left back to kitchen. I was speech less and was really thinking buy bargaining what really we gain.