What Goes Around

“Okay okay,” Dev nodded and wound the window back up. The boy raced ahead, pushing through the crowd and guiding him to a popup shop. An old man wearing loose clothing and a skull cap emerged from the store.“Yes, yes, just stop here.” The man motioned to him.

Dev stopped the car and got out. The makeshift store had a myriad of automobile parts but Dev could not spot the Ferrari trims.

“Do you have Ferrari trims to match these?” He pointed to his car. “I would rather not waste your time … and mine.”

“Of course, we do, Bhai. This is not the only shop I own here. As you can see, space is at a premium” The old man laughed. “So, I’ve got small pop-ups at 2-3 locations around the market.”

“Ah, okay. But I would like to see the replacement parts first.”

“Of course, Saheb. Don’t you worry. Just this morning I was informed we have original Ferrari parts.”

Dev wanted to ask if a thief had handed in one of his wheel trim and hubcap. Then, he remembered the bright yellow Ferrari he saw a while ago.

“Look bhai, I’ve never traded here before …”

The vendor laughed. “I know this Bazaar is infamous, notorious even, but some of us have been here for ages. Not all apples are rotten, I assure you!”

Dev nodded and the old man waved him to a sofa that looked good enough for sale too: “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable first? I am Ahmed, by the way.” He offered his hand.

Dev shook it hesitantly and said: “Okay, before you get started, how much will it cost me?”

“Look Saheb,” replied Ahmed, “I am an old-school guy so I believe in a fair price. How about 300 rupees?”

Dev was taken aback. The original set had cost him several thousand. He was sceptical: “But do you have the original parts? How will I know?”

“You will know once we replace them right here, while you watch. You are, of course, welcome to examine them before we install them. Do we have a deal?”

Dev was uneasy paying the first price offered by the vendor, any vendor. After all, this was a flea market. He took a step back and said quietly: “I can pay 200.”

“Saheb, 300 is already too low, as I said—”

“200 or I can look elsewhere.”

Ahmed seemed to ponder the revised offer for a few moments and then said: “Saheb, you look like a gentleman to me. Should we settle for 250?”

“No. 200. Final.”

Ahmed threw up his hands in a exaggerated gesture and said with a sigh: “Done. Now please sit down and be comfortable.”

As Dev settled in the chair, Ahmed gestured to the same boy who had led Dev to the shop: “Aye Raju, fetch two cups of tea first. Then, go get the Ferrari wheel cover from the other shop.” With that he sat himself down on a stool next to Dev’s chair.

Dev’s apprehension was somewhat alleviated. He could see his car, and the wheel, from where he sat. He decided to watch it like a hawk.

“What’s happening with cricket?” Ahmed asked suddenly, “You think we’ll beat Australia?”

“Hard to say. They have some of the best fast bowlers in the game. Gavaskar was out early. What’s the score now, by the way?”

“Looks like we’ll score 400 or more in this innings. Our middle order is strong. I’m hoping we clinch the series!”

Dev nodded. The afternoon sun was edging past the buildings as the boy arrived with tea in small glass tumblers. Handing one each to the two men, he vanished into the crowd once again. Just then, a couple of cops strolled up to the store and yelled: “Hey! Who owns this popup?”

Ahmed stood up: “This store is mine, Sir!”

“So far out onto the road? Is this even legal?”

Dev watched as Ahmed walked up to one of the cops and shook hands with him surreptitiously. The cop nodded and smiled. Then, they were gone. When Ahmed was back on his perch, Dev asked: “Bribe, eh?”

“What else, Saheb? This is their regular beat. Trust me, if I had asked about the legal limit for the store, they would charge me with some council offence and confiscate my wares. Then, it would be a long fight in the civil court to recover them. Losing business for days in this Bazaar can cost me a lot more.”

“Understood,” Dev was sympathetic, “The whole system is rotten, isn’t it?”

“Honestly Bhai, I don’t even think about it anymore,” replied Ahmed with a sigh. “It’s not like the old days when folks had much integrity.”

“How true!” exclaimed Dev, “I am with you there Ahmed bhai. This country can only be saved by a strong leader—almost a dictator, I’d say.” He was warming up to the vendor who seemed to be speaking his language of systemic discontent.

“Either that or we need another revolution. Where are the Gandhi and Nehru of today, huh? People are fed up!”

Dev nodded knowingly. Meanwhile, Raju reappeared with a set of wheel trims and hubcap and handed it to Dev, who diligently checked the logo and examined the quality of the metal. Satisfied, he nodded and smiled at the boy.

“Almost as good as mine! Go ahead. Install it.”

Raju fetched a set of tools from the popup store and began installing the wheel cover. When he was done, the Sun had gone lower on the horizon and the crowd had begun to disperse. Dev beamed at the driver’s wheel with its glory restored. He pulled out two notes of 100 rupees each and offered it to Ahmed who accepted them and stuffed them into his pocket.

“There you go, Saheb. All done! It’s almost closing time but you’re welcome to another cup of tea. One for the road, as they say!” Ahmed laughed and so did Dev.

“Another time, friend,” replied Dev.

Ahmed led him to the car and even opened the door for him, as a courtesy. As Dev settled in the driver’s seat, he had a thought.

“Do you mind if I call my son before I leave?” He asked Ahmed.

“Of course not, Saheb?” Ahmed promptly and fetched a cordless receiver for him.

Dev dialled his son’s number. When his son answered, he smiled into the phone: “Guess what Ganesh! I have the new trims installed already. I should be at your office in 30 minutes … 40 at most.”

After the call, he thanked Ahmed and said: "I just hope you didn’t have to pay a hefty bribe to the cops, earlier on.”

“Ah, no need to worry, Bhai. We got your business too, didn’t we? What goes around, comes around!”

With that, Dev began his slow journey out of the Chor Bazaar.