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Dream girl - Part II
Her skin was fair but bore marks of old acne. There were dark circles under her eyes, and a few gray strands in her hair.
Of course the woman had made halfhearted attempts to look presentable with some makeup. Unfortunately badly applied and cheap quality makeup had done more harm than benefit. Now she was chewing something and a drop of saliva appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Sujata felt a mixer of disgust and pity for this woman. "Perhaps nobody has told her and she herself is not aware of the damage, she is inflicting on her self." She tried to be charitable.
"Wafer... sev... chana..." a vendor came about, hawking the usual fare, available in local trains.
"Mama," the girl took a break from her nose cleaning activity and pointed the finger towards the hawker.
This time it didn't need much persuasion. Mama bought two packets of wafers. She gave one to the kids to share and opened another one for herself.
As she was about to put the wafer in her mouth, her eyes went to Sujata. Involuntarily Sujata smiled. The woman also smiled and offered the open packet to Sujata.
"No, thanks," Sujata said.
"Come on, have some. They are good, really tasty." The woman insisted.
Just out of politeness, Sujata took one piece. It was too salty for her but she nibbled.
The woman was looking a little relaxed now. And she really seemed to relish her over salted snack.
"When I was in college, I used to buy these wafers regularly," she took an opportunity to start a conversation. The train had crossed Andheri station, but still there were not many passengers around.
"Hmm" Sujata mumbled.
"Of course at that time it cost much less, two rupees or so," the woman sighed.
Sujata couldn't think of a reply, so she just smiled.
Her fellow passenger was now in a mood to talk. She continued. "Why just wafers, now everything is so expensive. Clothes, vegetables, school fees... you have children?
"Yes, one daughter."
"No son?"
"No".
"Must be planning to have one."
What kind of woman is this, asking personal questions to a stranger? Sujata thought with some annoyance. But being rude was not her nature. Before she could turn her face or shut her eyes to stop further conversation, the woman asked, "Are you working somewhere?"
"No"
"I used to work in the municipal corporation."
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