The Samosawala

Small needle on 12 and big needle on 5..
That means, the time is ....

I looked at the wall clock of the classroom and managed to derive ( the multiples of 5 with a limit of 60), the theory helped me understand the clock! The bell rang for lunch and pushed my notebook in my bag and ran through the corridor towards the lush green open ground.

The 1988 was the year when most of the kids of Army school in Ramgrah Cantt, abandoned their tiffin boxes at lunch to relish the most sought snack- Samosa. Made with flour with a delicious aloo curry stuffed in it, this little thing created a sensation among us. The seller was in his 20s, he carried the 25-paise hot samosas in a card board box on his shoulder. His entry at the school gate caused an uproar with kids running behind and around him. His walk along the path of tar road from the gate, surrounded by grass on either sides made him resemble a Santaclaus ready to shower gifts to children. He too perhaps enjoyed the attention.

"Aao bhaiyya..Naashta Karaa Den" - He uttered this standard line in his rich Bihari accent, each time, as he took the box off his shoulders to put it on the ground.

Within minutes, he was surrounded by kids of all shapes & sizes and he briskly carried his activity. Our school peon regularly used to take some samosas for the teachers back in the staff room. His regular visit him a popular figure in the school.

"Hey! Debashish, have you seen the Samosawala"?- I asked him meekly.

"Mujhe nahi pata. Why don't you ask Anindita"- he sniggered.

It so happened one day, I did not do my Maths homework and my teacher made me sit beside Anindita and complete the work. I managed to sit beside her for the entire day, unknowingly impressed her with my drawing skills, and also romantically managed to give her a Samosa at lunch.

Anindita Das- A bubbly Bengali girl with curly hair, had arguably, became my first crush! I decided not to do my homework even tomorrow with a hope of sitting beside her again. I told Debashish and he got angry over my proximity with Anindita. So the next day when I told Miss Chauhan, about my homework, and surprisingly, she sent me out of the classroom!

There were, many days, as usual, when I had no money and used to stand there and simply stare at other kids devouring their favorite snack. One day the Samosawala saw me standing before him with my hands in my knickers. Maybe the look on my face and my helpless body language enticed the Samosawala's emotion. It was also the day before lunch, when our Moral Science teacher told us a story on Greediness. The effect of that story was too much for me.

" Kaa hua bhaiyya?" Idhar Aao"- He called me and wrapped 2 Samosas in a piece of torn Hindi Milap newspaper.

"Nahin..Nahin...Mere paas Paise nahi hain"- I confessed.

He thought for a while and said- " Koi baat nahi, Kal de dena" Kal hum ayenge na". He stretched his hand.

I couldn't believe my eyes, This Samosawala became the first person in my life to offer me a credit facility! I grabbed and greedily ate those 2 samosas in a jiffy. Then I realized that I had to ask 50 paise from my mother. I went home and told my mother how tasty those Samosas were and how madly the kids feasted on them. I also told her about the 50 paise credit which the samosawala gave me. She scolded me and asked me never to indulge in such activity.

However, after listening to my narration about samosas, she expressed her interest and asked me to get 10 samosas for home tomorrow.

I thought about it for a while and with the Moral Science story fresh in my mind, very innocently, I told my mother about what will the Samosawala think about me. He will think that I am greedy for taking 10 Samosas!

My mother laughed and explained me the difference between Business andGreediness. But somehow that explanation did not sink in my head. After a brief discussion, she gave a rupee and asked me to pay the credit and also get home 2 samosas.

The next day I waited for the Samosawala at lunch. He did not show up and I thought he must have perhaps complained my head principal about the 50 paise credit. I grew worried and just when I was about to ponder about the unforeseen consequences, I spotted him coming from the school gate. I waited till the other kids were done with their purchase.

"Yeh lijiye" - I eagerly gave him the 1 rupee coin.

He wrapped 4 pieces of samosas and gave it to me. I thought either he has forgotten about the credit or he has not recognized me.

" Kaa baat hain?" chaar Samose hain, le lo na babua" - He declared.

"Aapko 50 paise dene hain"- yaad hain na Kal?" - I mumbled.

"Inko bhi Khila do" Ee bitiya ko"- He adjusted his shawl and said with a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth, to express pleasure.

I turned around. It was Anandita. She had finished her lucnh & was carrying her empty lunch box to the classroom. She saw me speaking to the Samosawala and had quietly stood behind me. I was equally excited and equally worried too. The 2 Samosas were meant to be taken home.

"Chalo hum chalte hain"-he said sighing and got up picked up his oily box. I watched him walk towards the gate. As he reached the gate, he turned around and looked at both of us. Smiling ,he slowly walked out and left. Even today, I have no clue why he wanted me to share that snack with her.

Suddenly, the bell rang to indicate the end of lunch time.

With an utmost confused state of mind, I gave a samosa to Anindita and we stuffed them in our respective mouths and ran. I forgot all about the 50 paise credit.

While running, I saw her struggling to chew and burst out laughing. She joined the laughter. As we gleefully ran past the school drinking water tap area, Debashish, who was filling his Milton water bottle saw us together.

I rushed into the classroom and kept the remaining Samosas in my lunch box and sat in the last bench, alone. With 3 more periods to go for the day including a PT class, I grew restless.

The school was over for the day and I trotted towards my school bus, which was an Army truck. A huge Sardarji , also a soldier, used to lift me up with his large powerful hands and help me get into the truck along with other kids.

I reached home and dropped my bag on the bed and sat in a chair to take off my shoes. My mother took out the lunch box, opened it and walked towards the kitchen. But she immediately turned around. Looking into the lunchbox, she came to me laughing loudly and kissed me.

She then pulled out the leftover very tiny piece of Samosa from the lunch box and fed me!


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