Age, caste, money, etc.. can debar you off luxuries; not for a plate of pani puri. Rich or poor, big or small, young or old, he or she... all crave for a plate of this fast food extravaganza.
you start off with : " bhayya ek plate..."
vendor hits back : "katlis nakko? "
Business tactic I say.. trying to tempt and lure you. Ahnnggg..!! you sway in a double mind-- hot katlis or pani puri ?
"katlis lo...garam banaroo"...
sheeeeshhh !! Deep inside you wanted to taste it, but a last minute stinginess holds you back, which he royally unearths you from. Finally you succumb and surrender. The fragrance has a strong hold on your senses. You could hardly resist. Greed precedes, taking center stage. You act on instinct.
"singal ya full? " is the question. Draws you into thinking.
"singal", is your call.
"katlis daloon ya samosa?"..
" katlis ich.."
" dhai daloon? ", ..... " hau thoda...jada nakko... thoda pyaas bhi ", you shoot back.
Now, turn for the coveted- gapchup aka Pani puri. He delayed the inevitable all this while. No more ! Ask any lover the pain he undergoes all this while. But worth a wait I say [:)]"gachchup dalo"...
" ek plate ko kitte derain?", you ask.
" do rupai ko paanch"...
" che daldo yaaron", is your bargain...
a blunt No! follows. You give up.
your greed for pani puri has reached its pinnacle. You hit it off.... gulp it into your mouth...close your eyes...relish the taste... mmmm.. !!!
Solace !! The fragrace of the still cooking katlis soothes your soul. You are still coming to terms with an indescribable ecstasy. The filling is simply inexplicable. Till your greed is quenched, you go on.
before you finish off, "do rupai ka mitha dalo"...
the grand finale....
"thoda pani dalo yaroon"... is your polite request...
Dipping his tanned hand into the pot and gyrating the pani, he delivers a small cup of it onto your plate....greed is not appreciable. He hates it.
"kitta hua ".... you ask
" katlis ka chaar, gachchup kaa chaar... poora aath.."
He is paid. Still reminiscing the exhilarating experience of having your fav -- pani puri, you sign off, on a high.
( Pic courtesy : Abhilash Payasam )
