RagNa Story: Driver Beti... Kalpi

Jab They Met

It was freezing cold in city of Mumbai at 6.00 AM. Kalpana was there wearing jacket along with her friend/co-passenger Prem, whose boss of highest post was to arrive. Prem had always harboured soft corner close to crush for Kalpana, but like any normal and practical human being "Work" comes first. She was freezing yet as a part of her new job, she patiently waited outside airport. As she stood there, she smiled recollecting Sahil's words to her when she was given the task of being driver to "Raghav Singhaniya" during his 1 week visit to the city.

Sahil: "Remember Kalpana, he is very particular about time and place he wants to reach. If I get even a single complain about yours than..."

Kalpi cut Sahil, "Then what? Hun? You will fire me? Remember sheth, I am not responsible for paying back a single penny of your advance salary if you fire me from work. YOU WILL have to wait for my father to recover and join back. Till than you can neither torture him mentally or force him to work with you or even pay back. Or else I can bring legal notice saying the same thing I am doing today, I will work instead of my dad and I am fit for the work. Have passed my test as well," said Kalpana looking right into his eyes.

It was around 7.00 AM, she looks at Prem, "Is this how your boss defines being punctual?" asked Kalpana. Prem looked at her, "Sweetheart, flights and timing aren't in his control, so how can you expect him to be here on time. Indian flights are always delayed, you see." Kalpana looked at him with irritation, "Stop blaming planes and Indian flights. Your boss is anyways coming through his double inverted "Private" jet." Prem laughed at it, "Yet, the air traffic is controlled by Mumbai airport, not by Sir." Kalpana rolled her eyes, "Whatever!"

After wait of another 30 minutes, was an announcement about his arrival. "Finally" said Kalpi and stood up straight, with board in her hand which had his name written. She went ahead near the pick-up area's railing and stood ahead so that she is clearly visible. For her it was surprise, that it is private jet, he might be the only one coming, or say along with someone whom he would brought along, yet his Seth expected her to stand with name plate. "Grrr..." Was only thing she felt at the moment.

A tall man, in expensive suit came along rolling his luggage on trolley appeared outside the main exit along with one more person. They came and stood in front of Kalpi who was disinterestedly holding his name's board. He took out his black goggles feeling surprised as to why is some lady holding this board. "Who are you?" he asked Kalpana. Kalpana looked up at him and was taken aback by the attitude which he carried seeing her. Before she can speak up, Prem who had heard his voice from distance came and stood by Kalpana. "Good Morning Sir, Welcome to India," said Prem with broad smile. Raghav looked at Prem feeling bit relived, "Are you the driver Mr. Sahil Kapoor, has arranged?" asked to confirm. Kalpi chuckled. Prem looked at him confused, "No Sir, umm.. I am Prem Kapoor, Sahil Kapoor's son, and head of Branch in Andheri. My dad has arranged a car for you, and..." he turned towards Kalpana for introducing her, "she is Kalpana who will be driving us around the city for all the scheduled meeting." Said Prem.

Raghav was utterly shocked to know, Sahil had arranged this girl, who appeared to be unfit for being his driver. "No ways! You don't really mean it right? Didn't your father tell me some Rishi guy is coming to pick me up and will be serving us for one week. Then why the hell would she, I mean a woman be accompanying us?" Kalpana was bit shaken by direct statement made by Raghav. She looked through, Prem looked at Kalpana, "Sorry sir, actually Rishi had to leave for village recently, and we had to hire..." "Woman"... Raghav cut Prem. "Look at her, I mean... A typical desi attire, how fast you think can she drive, I mean looking at her I doubt, she can even speak proper two words of English, how will she communicate with us, don't expect us to speak in Hindi or Marathi here."

Kalpana looked at Raghav, and her anger had reached boiling point by now, she retorted back, "Bass Hua... Bohot bol diya..." (Enough said) Raghav looked at Prem, "What did she say?"

Prem looked at Raghav, "Sir nothing," Raghav looked at prem, "She just indirectly told me to Shut Up! And you are saying nothing." Prem was bit surprised by the fact, that his boss do understand basic of Hindi. Kalpana looked at Raghav, "Meri Achi Angreji Bolne ki koi Icha nai hai...Meri matlab.. I mean... I not wishfully Speak Angreji, Only Hindi."

Raghav looks at her angry, " I know, and don't you dare even speak a word." Kalpana answered back, "Kya Kaha, Jaraa.. samaj nai aaya" (What did you say, I didn't understand). I bolana abhi, I speak Hindi," Prem looked at Kalpi and was about to tell her to cut the drama, but before he can utter the word, she points at him, "Tut oh Shut up ho, and utha all the jholas and dicky mein put kar...!" (You shut up, Take all the luggage, and put it in back side of the car.)

Raghav got angry this time and told her, "Excuse you, He is like your Boss and how dare you speak to Prem like that." Kalpana looks at him, "Kya?" (What?) Sammy who was witnessing all this from back was quiet amused by now. He came over to added, "Nothing, Hum apna saman, khud hi rakh lenge, aap kasht naa kare," Kalpana was utterly surprised with pure Hindi he spoke. Raghav looked at him, "What did you just say?" Sammy answered, "Nothing much that we will keep our luggage." Raghav answered back, "Why will we? Isn't it job of driver to do that for their passengers? I mean" he looked at Kalpi, "If I am not mistaken." "Hein?" came the direct answer. Raghav gritted his teeth. Sammy told her, "Hamare khadoos sahib chahte hai, ki saaman aap rakhe, par aap fikar na kare, hum inhe mana lenge." Kalpana laughed at his words, particularly, khadoos sahib. She looks at Prem and Sammy, "No No, Fikar not, mein rakhegi, (Don't worry, I will put it.)" Kalpi took control of trolley, and went near the car, she opened the dickey and all were amazed by strength she might have possessed and with ease she had kept all the luggage in the back of the car.

Prem smiled at her wonderful work. She came near Raghav, "Ab koi perobalam toh nai?" "Hun?" asked Raghav, "Samasya, perobalam." Prem was now laughing, she means, "Problem." Raghav rolled his eyes... "Not at all." And went away to settle himself inside the car. Prem looked at Kalpana, "What was this all about? Why did you lie?" Kalpana looked at Prem with broad smile on her face, "When did I lie? I just said, I don't wish to speak in English, and well that was his assumption I cannot speak in English, so how can I prove poor thing wrong... Let him be under this impression, who cares, where do I want to marry him anyways, to be perfect for standards."

Kalpana was lolling in her mind all the while. "This is just the beginning mister non-desi Indian, You might be brought up in some other western so called modern country, and yet have some doubts and biasness against woman, and could never maybe also with language and country. But now I will show you. In true sense, WELCOME TO INDIA MR. SINGHANIYA"