The Trump Card

Silk sarees and the expensive sarees always need special care and cleaning. This is the reason we wear it only on special occasions. I love to wear sarees but due to the humid weather in Mumbai, it becomes impossible to carry sarees with comfort, hence I prefer wearing them on weddings. I pile up these special sarees and give it for a dry wash at a time.

So once, I took five of my sarees for a dry wash on 10^thFeb. The dry cleaners’ shop is on the street which is marked as ‘Even date parking only’. But when I went to collect them it was 21^st Feb and I clearly missed the parking signage. I parked the scooter in front of the dry cleaners and went into the shop with my kid. As I went inside, the shop attendant was finishing his lunch. So, I told him to finish it and then give my sarees later. I took out the receipt that he gave me and also took out the exact change of the bill. After finishing his lunch he started packing my sarees. I told him, “Please pack it in the double paper because I don’t have any bag, I will keep it on the footrest of my scooter.” He continued to pack. I and my son took our package and stepped out of the shop.

As soon as I stepped out I saw my scooter being towed. I ran with the big saree package in one hand, my kid in the other hand and my handbag dangling on the shoulder. I cried, “Please don’t pick my scooter, I am sorry for parking it here. I will never ever park it in No Parking. Please leave my scooter.” The RTO officer, or whoever was sitting in the tow truck saw my child in my hand and stopped the truck and told the guy behind, “Put down Madam’s scooter, she has a small child.” I smiled at him, I bowed down to him with respect. He also smiled at me and waved at my kid.

My kid saved me like literally, he did. I have used this trump card later many times. I make a pity face holding my child to make a way in the queue or get my food quicker or even to get the attention of the vegetable vendor. I just say, “Please hurry up, I have to go home and feed my child.” Now, who would say no to the hungry child? I am sure all the mothers must have used this trump card at least once in their life. Well, it is not correct to do this but there is no harm to do it some time to save some time.

My Trump Card