I was psyched up with this gentleman’s attitude. But, he is a necessary evil. It was the only medical shop in my locality before two years. Also, our town got the unique distinction of being the epicenter of the soiree of microbes. From H1N1 to Dengue – they have identified a fertile ground to thrive in Punya Nagri. In short, medics / para medics gained the status of demi gods.
Here you have this gentleman who is (in)famous of being rude to his customers.With every seasonal change, he used to reinvent himself with a new moniker. I could see the metamorphic changes (just limited to re-christening) - “Akshay Medicals” “New Akshay Medicals” “Pune Medicals” etc. But again, one thing which remain stagnant is the owner with his moronic expression “Why the hell, you walked into my shop”
My first encounter with him left me appalled. Reproducing the dialogue exchange between us
“Aten H 12.5, One strip please”
He handed over Aten X 25. “Excuse me, I want Aten H 12.5”
“You said X and not H”
“Ok, pardon me, now will you please get me H, please?”
He started murmuring “Never heard anyone pronouncing H as X”
I waited for three minutes gazing at him sitting quietly. I cleared my throat and said “Excuse me, you have this tablets in stock?”
“Perhaps. I am not sure”
That was enough. I left the shop. Conducting business is something like a social opprobriumfor this gentleman.
He does not like anyone to disturb him with their gracious presence. If you hand over prescription, he will raise a complaint that it is illegible and try his level best to get rid of the customer. Once he ridiculed the prognosis of a well known cardiologist and opined that “With this medicine, you are going to die in a few days”
It is a mystery that what is he doing to make both ends meet. One day, I have no choice than to turn up in his shop as I wanted to have medicine for my baby. He was gasping heavily and I thought he might have been suffering from cardiac arrest. I could see the rhythmic movement of his belly and terrible facial expression and got stupefied.
In a moment’s time I saw the photograph of a gentleman in saffron with unkempt hair and beard in the shop. Ok – this could be the famous “Kapal Bhati” exercise. Might be, this is the reason why everyone struggle for breath while passing through this junction because with vengeance he is consuming every trace of oxygen to his lungs. What is left for general public is what he exhales!
In a very polite tone I said “Sorry to disturb you, Sir. I can see Domstal Pediatric syrup in that shelf. Can you please get me one bottle please?”
He stopped “Kapal Bhati”. I felt relieved as I could breathe at ease! He stared me with all harshness a human being can assume and said “No need. Just advice the patient to do pranayam”
“Ok, but will you convince my two year old baby , regarding the sanctity of this ritual?”
“Two year old baby?”
“Yes, normally pediatric syrups are being prescribed to kids”
With out any hesitation he handed over the bottle to me and said “This'batleee' is my gift to you. Please do not pay me anything. Just take care of your kid”
I said “Sorry, it is against my principles. Please take money. And sorry for becoming curious but ---- why are you acting so weird? I mean, you don’t like customers coming to your shop”
He smiled and said “In fact, I just hate to sit in this shop. I was in the district cricket team and might have made it to Ranji Trophy. But myvadeel(dad), wanted me to be doctor. I have ended up here as a pharmacist. He want me to sell medicines. My foot! I wanted to get rid of this. But, the tolerance limit of you guys surprised me! How on earth you let me survive? All of you are responsible for the pathetic performance of Indian team. Please do not take money! Indian team ki kasam”
I was wondering – Should I laugh or cry?
In three months time, he could successfully get the shop closed down. Indian cricket team is losing like hell. Who is responsible?
Please do not do anything you that you won’t enjoy! But if there is no choice - please try to enjoy the same and be adaptive. Also, have the discretion to know your core competency / strength. Or else, continue to crib. Choice is yours! What you are today is because of the choices you made yesterday!
