Page 81 - Real English 2024 Book 8

A LESSON IN LIFE FROM A BEGGAR

Many years later, I found myself caught in the rain at Bombay’s
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Flora Fountain. It was pouring and I didn’t have an umbrella. I was
standing near a popular department store, waiting for the rain to

subside. Suddenly I spotted Meena. My first reaction was to avoid
being seen by her, having to listen to her never-ending complaints.
However, she had already seen me and caught hold of my hand
cheerfully and said, ‘Hey! I’m really excited. It’s nice to meet old

friends. What are you doing here?’
I explained that I was in Bombay on official work.
‘Then stay with me tonight,’ she said. ‘Let’s chat. Do you know
that old wine, old friends and memories are precious and rare?’
I couldn’t believe it. Was this really Meena? I pinched myself
hard to be sure that it wasn’t a dream. But Meena was really standing

there, right in front of me, squeezing my hand, smiling, and yes, she
did look happy. In the three years she had been in Bangalore, I had
never once seen her smiling like that. A few strands of grey in her
hair reminded me that years have passed. There were a few wrinkles
on her face, but the truth was that she looked more attractive than

ever before.
Finally, I managed to say, ‘No, Meena, I can’t stay with you
tonight. I have to attend a dinner. Give me your card and I’ll keep in
touch with you. I promise.’ I couldn’t believe
For a moment, Meena looked disappointed. ‘Let’s go and have it. Was this really
tea at least,’ she insisted. Meena? I pinched

‘But Meena, it’s pouring.’ myself hard to be
‘So what? We’ll buy an umbrella and then go to the Grand sure that it wasn’t a
Hotel,’ she said. dream.
‘We won’t get a taxi in this rain,’ I grumbled. 7
‘So what? We’ll walk.’

I was surprised. That wasn’t the same Meena I had known.
Today, she seemed ready to make any number of adjustments.
We reached the Grand Hotel drenched. By then, the only
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thought in my mind was to find out who or what had brought about
such a change in the pessimistic Meena that I had known. I was quite
curious.

‘Tell me, Meena, is there a Prince Charming who has managed 6. raining heavily
to change you so?’ 7. complained in a bad-
Meena was surprised by my question. ‘No, there isn’t anyone tempered way
like that,’ she said. 8. thoroughly wet

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