I generally opt for the office car pool. It is easier and peaceful. And another and the most important reason is the co travelers. What a Group and what discussions! A full one hour time pass and memories to relate to.

One such person in the group is named as Mr. Bhaat. (Bhaat in Bengali is a word used for any discussion that is nonsensical but intelligent. It will make people laugh). I would like to share with you the escapades of this person in his childhood.

Mr Bhaat used to stay in a famous hostel. The standard of education of the school is well known and revered. Every product of that school is by default a good student and known to achieve heights in their career. But the school and the hostel had its restrictions and the poor boys wanted to exercise their independence during their holidays.

On one such occasion, Mr Bhaat and his friend were passing through an unknown neighbourhood in search of a book store, and chanced upon a marriage ceremony. The friend looked mournfully at the ceremonial house and doled about the good food they might be serving. “Bhaat, it’s been ages since our taste buds had any acquaintance to good food. What do you think?”Mr. Bhaat, replied non chalantly, “Do you want to have your dinner in that house?’

“That house?” Pointed the friend, “but how will we enter there?”

Mr Bhaat went a few steps forward and memorized the name written on the name plate of the next house. He then innocently entered the ceremonial house with his friend.

“Bhaat, what will you do if anybody asks who we are?”

“Wait and watch, assured Bhaat.”

The tables were already occupied with people enjoying the wide array of sumptuous food. The air was heavily laden with the intoxicating smell of food. While the desserts were being served an aged man came before the two young fugitives and asked them to take their seats, but on second thoughts he also asked “Though your faces look familiar I cannot identify your parents.”

Mr Bhaat quickly retorted, “Mr. Bhattachrayya is our jethu. He asked us to go and have our dinner. This is my friend.”
“Oh, ho, now I recollect, so you have grown up quite a bit, and when will your jethu come?”

“He has some guests and will be coming soon.”

“Help yourself son,” and turning to the friend, “I am glad you came.” He then called the main server, pointed towards the two boys, and instructed him to give the two boys special attention.

Mr Bhaat and his friend could not have dinner at their home that day. Mr Bhaat’s mother knowing her son, had asked him, “where did you go this time?

I am sure you will be beaten up one day for your adventurous streak.”

Mr Bhaat once had only enough money for his bus fare. He was coveting for ram babu’s phuchka and did not dare to ask his mother for some money. Just the other day he had seriously hurt the neighbour’s cat with his air gun. He still did not know what was all the commotion about. The cat chose his bedside window for all his quarrels and he just wanted to frighten the cat. He never knew that an air gun can hurt that fat and ugly creature. Rama maasi had cried piteously before his mother and highlighted her love for the cat. And how could Bhaatu do such a thing to her cat, “Bhaatu is really going out of your reach didi. I am cautioning you to take care and discipline him.” Mr Bhaat’s mother was furious and send him to her sister’s house. Mr Bhaat was elated.

But the main point is his new plot to escape the bus fare. The conductor asked him thrice to pay for the ticket and thrice he confirmed that his mother is going to pay. Looking at his childish face, the conductor never doubted that his mother was sitting somewhere in the ladies seat and went away. However when his destination came, the conductor now sensed some foul play.

“Khoka where is your ticket and where is your mother?”

“Ma, ma, ma, my mother?” Mr Bhaat started shouting, “my mother has got down before, what will I do?” Saying this he started crying.

The conductor was now dumbfounded, “don’t worry khokha, do you have money with you?”

“No, nothing.” Saying this Mr Bhaat started howling.

The conductor then gave him a 5 rupee coin and asked him to cross the street and take the bus with the same route number as this. Till this day, Mr. Bhaat makes other people laugh till they cry, with this story, while he sits with a serious and innocent face.

Mr Bhaat has not changed. An engineering degree and a good job has added spark to his calm and relaxed techniques of fooling people.