The Giver

He stands in a strategic place, where they can see him clearly. He reaches there earlier than they are expected to arrive; dressed casually, for work. Although, it wouldn't matter whatever he chose to wear. It is not his attire that matters to them, nor his attitude. In fact, anyone else in his place would command the same respect in their eyes, and the same reverence.

He knows this. And it doesn't bother him. He isn't here to earn their respect or their loyalty. Because he knows, they will come to him, no matter what; as their loyalty is to his speciality, to what he can offer them.

As he watches, they come. Some alone, some in groups of two or more. There are many couples. Some children; although, this is increasingly rare these days. Some days, he sees foreigners come too. And many times NRIs! They are the ones with a lot of specific demands.

Almost always, ladies come to him. No matter who else comes, the ladies definitely come. The rich ones, the not so prosperous ones, the ones who exercise regularly, the ones who don't, the ones who do not count their calories, who prefer what he offers, over most other things; and even those who count their calories diligently. The married ones come to him, and so do the unmarried ones. Age is no bar for what he has to offer, the ones who come are of all ages.

Newly married couples come to him, who do not know the preferences of their partners; and so do couples who have been married for a long time where the partners tell him each other's preferences. Sometimes a father comes to him, tentatively asking his family to choose; other times, a family man, who makes the choice for his entire family.

They all come to him. Telling him their preferences. And he delivers. Yes, he charges them for his offerings. And they are happy to pay. They would happily pay more, he can see it in their satisfied faces; and that's why, he sometimes finds himself thinking how amazing it would be if his trade was valued at more.

But alas, a plate of pani puri costs only so much!