The lost slipper

 "Yeh kiska hai?"  

The ownership was in question . The article was a well worn Bata bathroom slipper lying half concealed among the Petunia and Cosmos blossoms , by the road side flower bed . It was a beauty . The flower beds . Hence , there being no place for a beastly chappal , that too , worn down to reveal the blue bottom layer .

The Chowkidar , and the Jharoo man both scratched their heads . Instinctively , they both looked at their respective feet . 

Chowkidar had his DMS boots on . The Jharoo man wore his bata sandals , with leather straps . They again shook their head . 

"Bada Sahib is not going to like it ." The Chowkidar made it sound like a dire prophesy . End of the world . Reluctantly , he went back to his post , picking the offending footwear between his forefinger and thumb , as one would pick a dead rat. 

Jharoo man went back to his job of cleaning the road of fallen dead leaves , baby mangoes and such trespassing stuff , before" Bada Saheb " moved out of his home . Or woke up . 

At 9 am , the sweeper finished his job . The leaves , mangoes , scraps of paper had been disposed off , the plants had been watered . It was time for the sweeper , Ramadin's breakfast break . He washed his hands at the garden tap , wiped them dry with the his trusted gamcha around his neck , then sat down in the shade of the mango tree . 

Two things happened in quick succession . Both ruined Ramadin's repast . Bada Saheb's gate creaked open , prematurely . And a small errant mango , broke off from an overhead branch and plonked into Ramadin's open tiffin of hot dal , prepared by his wife that morning . 

Ramadin hissed and picked up the offending fruit . He chucked it behind him , as far as possible in the direction of the rubbish heap , when Bada Sahib made his appearance at the gate . "Ramadin !!" He called . 

"Ji Sir ." Ramadin quickly wiped his dal drenched finger in the right corner of his gamcha and strode towards the gate .

"Yeh kiska hai ?" Bada sahib stood clouded in the morning mist and the vapours from his enormous coffee mug . He pointed the steaming cup towards the offending chappal . He smelt agreeably of cologne and coffee . 

An old thought repeated in Ramadin's head . Should have thrown it with the garbage . Too late . 

"Nahin maloom Sir ." 

"Do one thing , take it after your shift and see in the servants' quarters . " 

"Ji sir ." Bada Sahib quickly noted the insincerity in Ramadin's voice . He was very sharp. 

"Someone is without one of his slippers , Ramadin ." Mock threat emanated from Bada Sahib's clean shaven face . 

You could never tell with these rich peoples . When they lose temper over what . Softly cursing , Ramadin returned back to his seat . Now his dal had two small mango leaves floating like garnish. He cursed again , removed the leaves , and looked up at the tree . The tree shook in silent laughter and dropped few more mangoes onto the pristine lawn .

Quickly stuffing his dry and cold rotis into the mouth , Ramadin took off on his cycle . 

He was carrying the chappal in his hand , multitasking while holding the handlebars. As he crossed the extensive vegetable garden owned by Bada Saheb , he saw Madamji , the better half of Bada Saheb , pottering around the garden , Mali in tow , supervising her brinjal patch. 

She looked up to see Ramadin and shouted "Ramadin , kaise ho ?" 

Ramadin liked her better than BSaheb. She was less terrifying , meaning one could speak one's mind with her . 

Ramadin bowed and stopped . Madam hurried over in her gown and bata slippers . Ramadin couldn't help but notice that they were the same make as the one he held in his hand, albeit a newer one .

"Whose slippers you have stolen ?" Madam joked breathlessly .

"This fell by the gate , on the flowers ." Madam sucked her breath , wide eyed , the horror . 
Ramadin grinned revealing all his gutka stained incisors . 

"The flowers are ok ?" Madam ji's concerns were quite legitimate . 

"Now why would some one throw a chappal at V .?" She tapped a glistening red talon on her pretty dimpled cheek , thoughtfully . Madam ji was making a mountain out of a mole hill .

"No, no maam . No throwing -shrowing . It was just lying there . Possibly brought by a stray dog ." Ramadin explained , twisting it's straps around his fingers .Should have thrown the bloody thing while I had a chance . Damn Thapa , and his scruples . 

"Did Thapa see someone throwing it ?" Madamji was determined to not let this thing die . 

"No. No madam ." Ramadin now pedalled off in real alarm . "I have to find the real owner , Sahib has said ." He called behind his back to the lady .

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The executives hurried into the foyer of the big building . The glass front had an enormous brass sculpture of two hands locked in a handshake . It glinted furiously in the mid day noon . 

It was a big day . The Bada sahib was about to address the company . All were in tuxedos . A large shiny table stood at the glistening entrance . It contained one single large cut glass flower vase with the choicest of flowers . 

On the doorstep stood a motley crowd . Two pretty saree clad ladies , and a tuxedoed man , all with the mandatory name tags .One lady carried a huge bouquet of flowers .  The air was thick with anticipation . A bearer with his trademark white gloves held a velvet lined tray with two frosted glass of water , covered with two coasters bearing the company logo .

The air smelt of flowers , perfumes , colognes , aftershaves . In short , it smelt rich . 

There was a hush . Then a Mercedes noiselessly came to a stop . Everyone stiffened . 

Bada sahib emerged . Looking dapper in a suit with aviators . Next came Memsahib , redolent of imported stuff , dressed in a printed silk saree . Wearing aviators too. The welcome party hurried with the VIPs to the auditorium . Everyone inside stood up , en masse . 

Inside the cool , and dimly lit auditorium , the press occupied the first benches to the right . To the left sat the other partners ,and dignitaries with whom BS shook hands , almost mechanically smiling a fixed smile , as the man from the welcoming committee introduced him . 

After two odd speeches and presentations , BS or Mr V ,was called onto the stage . He had to sit at a table and hold a press conference. 

Mr V  spoke at length on company's progress and the upward spike of the growth charts . Then he went onto thanking his juniors , etc and finally came onto himself . 

By now , two hours had elapsed , and almost everyone was in a somnolent state . 

"However , I would like to add that my bold steps for the company has not gone down well with everyone . In fact today morning , we had an incident at our home ." 

There were murmurs , as people woke up from their slumber .

"Ishita will tell you ." The spotlight swivelled to the front row where Memsahib sat , in all her splendour.

More murmurs .

"Some one threw a slipper at our home ." There was a sob at the end of the sudden declaration . 

There was a collective gasp , everyone sat up bolt upright . All mikes craned to enter the dazzling circle of the spotlight .

"I have asked our sweeper to find out the real culprit . But I can't imagine any one wanting to hurt V after all he has done for the company ." 

Now , the auditorium was positively abuzz . Camera flashed all around like so much lightning as Ishita madam wiped an invisible tear from beneath her aviators . 

As V and his wife swept away from the hall , there was pandemonium , as press chased them with a barrage of questions . 

"Who do you suspect, Mr V ? "

" Did you remember seeing any suspects fleeing Sir ?"  

"Ishita maam , when you  saw the slipper , what were your first thoughts ."

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Ramadin had been pedalling around furiously , the entire morning . Finally , it hit him . Where do people lose their slippers ? 

He quickly made his way to the Hanuman Mandir . Getting down from the bicycle , he noticed a large collection of footwear outside the mandir . 

Scanning the slippers , he couldn't find a single unpaired pair , There were several chappals though , which were identically worn to the soles , as the one he held in his hand . But all were paired . 

In a fit of despair , Ramadin threw the slipper from his hand , stood his bicycle on the stand , and went to wash his hands at the cool stone well . 

He washed his hands , cupped them , and drank a draught of cool , sweet well water . Then he washed his face too . It was blazing hot noon day sun and he was happy to get this respite . 

There was a sindoor smeared banyan tree , close to the well . Ramadin sat in its shade and wiped his face with his gamcha . 

He took a deep breath and heard bhajans coming from the temple . He closed his eyes and  prayed to the Monkey God " Hey Hanumanji , please find the owner of this bleeding chappal . Otherwise I am just going to throw it into some rubbish bin ." 

Then he took a deep breath and prepared to get up . A strange sight met him . 

Baiju , the cook , was standing over the single bata slipper . 

"This is my missing chappal , how come it came here ?" Baiju was telling cheerfully to a passerby , while still holding his pooja thali in both the hands .

Baiju was clad in only a  transparent dhoti , his sacred thread hanging loose over his lean body , his ribs visible from his shirtless torso , forehead smeared with chandan lines and the most telling of all , a shaven head and a large iron key hanging from his neck , tied by a thread now grimy with sweat . 

"W whaat happened Baiju ?" Ramadin was aghast .

The shaven head and the key told a story . Baiju had lost someone recently and had come to the mandir for the completion of last rites . 

"My mother Ramu . Didn't I tell you she was very sick ? Last week I took leave to attend to her , and two days later ..." Baiju let out a sigh , looking down , shook his head . 

"I am so sorry Baj ." Ramadin , put his arms around Baiju's thin shoulders  , commiserating .

"Listen , did you say this chappal was yours ? " 

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"Mr V , The Corporate God has chappals thrown at him ." 

"Mrs V Saw the culprit " 

" Masses displeased at corporate decisions ." 

"V- Company in hot water again " 

"Simmering slipper of discontent " 

The afternoon tabloids were having a field day . The headlines everywhere had something to say about the chappal thrown at Mr V's gate . 

Some went further onto suggest that the offending slipper was thrown at him by a disgruntled employee at the company meeting , that Mr V was hurt and he had to be hospitalised . 

Imaginations were running riot . 

TV Headlines blared it all in every single home on the town .

 Complete with the "On site " footage of Thapa taking the press cameras to the petunia flower bed where it was discovered . 

Thapa was having a whale of a time , shaking hands with all the members of the TV crew and having a camera thrust into his face , mikes hovering all around . He never felt so important in all his life .

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Amongst the  shaven headed hordes of relatives  that had descended on Baiju's home , He and Ramadin sat in the meagre room in the servant quarters , heads in hands , where the TV was on full blast , replaying juicy bits and concocted myths over and over again , ad nauseam . 

"Did you really have to throw your chappal at that blasted dog ?" Ramadin asked him for the umpteenth time . 

"I told you I was not in my senses . I had just lost my mother , okay ! This chap came sniffing at the basket of flowers for the rites . I don't even remember throwing the slipper . Probably it was someone else . I don't know , okay !" Baiju broke down , sobbing , again .

Ramadin was in a real fix now . Baiju had just lost his mother . He was likely to lose his job , quarter and all the other perks , if the real owner  was revealed .

He looked at the slipper with frank hatred now . He was also mad at Thapa for his bull-headed blind honesty and rule following . At himself too , for having let the row escalate . 

He had a thought . He switched off the TV ,  grabbed Baiju by his arm and took him outside .

Both had a whispered conversation . Baiju wiped his tears away , and turned inside . Once turning his gaze to his chappal ,he burst into fresh tears , which his relatives thought might have to do with his current bereaved state . 

Ramadin rode his cycle away , with slight trepidation . 

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When Ramadin reported on duty next morning , a host of servants were congratulating Thapa on his smart TV appearance . 

Ramadin saw from afar , and didn't go close to the house . In fact , he had decided to keep as much distance between the house , the owners , Thapa and himself as possible . 

His broom etc was kept in a tool shed , way afar , in a corner of the property . So he was safe . As of now .

It happened at 8:30 am . He saw Thapa emerge from the gates, from the corner of his eye .  He had  something in his hands . A cardboard box . Shortly later , Memsahib emerged . Ishita was again , as was her wont , holding a cup of coffee in her left hand , right hand handling the folds of her nightgown , striding purposefully  towards him . 

Ramadin quickly lowered his gaze . He wished to flee from that place , from the earth . His heart thudded against his ribcage . 

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"It felt like an out of body experience ." He would tell later to Baiju , sitting in his living room , Baiju's kids clambering all over him . 

"What ? No ? Really ?" 

"Yes . Just as Thapa offered me the sweets , Memsahib said it was because the company's shares and stocks had soared . I gathered that meant profit . I smiled and took a ladoo . "

"Then ?" Baiju's eyes were wide ,eager .

"Then , Memsahib asked what happened about the chappal . I tried to appear very casual . " 

"Hehe . Just like we had decided ."  Baiju slapped his knee in childish glee . His wife frowned from the kitchen door , at the sudden display of mirth in the house of the dead .

'Yes, Just like we said . I said I don't know , I went to mandir and saw lots of similar chappals .Must have come from there ." 

"Then ?" 

" Then what ? She nodded . " 

Both friends chuckled in relief .

" Then before going , she asked " why did you go to the mandir ? " 

"What did you say ?" 

"I said what came to my mind at that point . I said I went to see Baiju , as he had lost his mother recently , and there was a bhog at the mandir ." 

" You did not ." Baiju covered his mouth in horror .

" Yes I did . Wait till you hear the rest . She has called you . You must go to Sahib's house at 6pm sharp ." 

"Why ? To be told I am fired . " Baiju beat his forehead hysterically . "I am dead " 

"No , you are not . She said "Oh , Baiju has lost his mother , and I have not even thought about that in midst of all this ." 

"Oh ." Baiju stopped his lamentation . "Is that so ?" 

"Yes , baksheesh awaits brother Baj," Ramadin said with a twinkle in his eye . 

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"Was it your chappal Baiju ?"  Memsahib looked him straight in the eye .

Baiju made some gurgling sounds with his throat . Ishita ma'am looked at his feet , right now encased in the pair of notorious bata footwear . Baiju was looking down, wishing himself dead . If it was not for the damned kids ....

"It was yours , wasn't it ?" Bada Sahib interjected .

To his stricken look , Memsahib answered , looking very kindly at him " Ramadin told us all ." 

Ramadin old rascal , wait till I get my hands on him , Baiju gnashed his teeth inwardly .

The Sahib got up from his easy chair in the verandah . He had an envelop in his hands . " This is something for your kids and family . Sorry about your Mother .  Your chappal made us famous , and " 

"Rich. " Memsahib rejoined . "It made us rich." Both were grinning . 

"We are going to give you a substantial raise , and come back soon on job . We miss your baingan bharta ." 

Baiju was speechless , and he had tears in his eyes . He just bowed with folded hands , again and again . 

"This too , " Memsahib gave him a fresh cardboard box of sweets . 

"But I don't understand .I would never throw my slippers at Sahib's gate . How did this ..?" 

Baiju was stammering , bowing and biting his tongue .

"It is ok old boy . Just remember , in Business and Show Biz , there is no publicity called bad publicity .People just sympathised with my plight . We just took your chappal and twisted a little tale around it ." 

Sahib had his arm draped over Baiju as he walked him out of the gate . Thapa actually gave him a smile and a thumbs up. 

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