To Give Or Not To Give - 3

Bombay - 1996

My husband stopped the car at the traffic signal.

A Eunuch rushed for alms towards our car, on to my side of the window. 

I politely refused.

(This happened in days of yore when cars were driven with window glass rolled down, windows absolutely Open, with wind blowing in your face, through your hair and through your shirt.)  

Me : "You and I can have a chat, but sorry I will not give any money."

He held my hand and pleaded.  

I held his hand.

I refused. 

Husband to me (uneasy and irritated) : "Just give him some money and let him go."

I refused. 

Seizing the moment, the eunuch let go of my hand, swiftly crossed over on to the driver's window
(where husband was seated) and asked him for some money. 

Mr. Husband looked at me for relief.

I refused. 

Husband : "Can't. Madame refuses".

Eunuch : "What about you?"

Husband : "She has the purse"     

Just then the signal turned green. 

Mr. Husband quickly pressed on the clutch and put the car in first gear, itching to move away from the scene. 

But traffic did not allow for high speed. 

Mr. Eunuch ran along with our car, holding on to the driver's window.
He put his hand in through the driver's window and tweaked the ear of Mr. Husband, before we could speed away.

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