I had been waiting for nearly half an hour outside PVR Plaza, Connaught Place before my friend arrived. One of the rare combinations of emotions showed on my face when I expressed my joy to meet him after twelve long years, along with being furious at him for making me stand in the afternoon sun for a long time.
We decided to have our lunch at Piccadelhi, a famous restaurant located below the multiplex. But I desperately needed something to drink before placing the order for a full-course meal.
'What soft drinks do you serve'? I asked the waiter five minutes after we were seated. He gave us the verbal list to choose from.
While I opted for my famous cola brand, my long-time-no-see friend decided to go for salted NimbuPani.
-----
Placed on the table, the drinks stared at each other for a while, before dialogue ensued.
Cola: You're sweating, you know?
NimbuPani: Doesn't matter. The waiter was supposed to clean me up thoroughly before putting me on the serving plate. But he was more interested in your appearance.
Cola: What to do? You know our family has always been in demand. It's not just this skinny man. See around. You'll notice my brother on the table diagonally opposite to you on my left side, and my sister at the far end of the restaurant. There's also my uncle on the table next to the kitchen, and my cousin in the corner accompanied by two middle-aged men....
NimbuPani: I know, right! Sometimes I do wonder what it is about your family that enchants and attracts the humans.
Cola: Well, I don't know. Something to do with the taste, perhaps. Anyways, it hasn't been as bright for us as you think. I hope you remember the entire pesticide fiasco. That was the time of Great Depression for our generations.
NimbuPani: Its amusing you think of it in that way. I rather think you gained a lot more publicity because of that.
Cola: Hold it! You're being insensitive, brother. I wish you were in our place to see what we went through.
NimbuPani: I would love to! Why don't we exchange places for some time? Live the life of Nimbu Pani for a day. That may make you empathise with our situation, and let you understand how it feels to be ignored by the same beings whom we work for and night and day, just to make them live longer.
Cola: Hard to comment anything on that. I think you have a point. But at least you do have an admirer on this table.
NimbuPani: Yes, one in ten maybe. I am concerned about the future of our coming generations.
Cola: Wish them all the best. I hope I could do something from our side. But anything done in your favour will make our species extinct.
NimbuPani: Ha! Thank you anyways. Happy Journey!
Cola: Thanks.. Hey, the skinny fellow's about to gulp me down. Goodbye!
--------
'What'? I said, almost in reflex, just before placing the glass between my lips.
'What what'? My friend asked, looking at me while rolling his eyes.
I stared at him before laughing it off. 'Nothing. I thought you said goodbye'
