My mother was running late. It was almost twelve. She had to pick her grand daughter from school. The distance between home and play school is such that one can cover the two way distance in an auto with minimum fare. Now that’s where the problem lies. No auto driver wants to make this journey. And even when they condescend to do so they ask for “double” the fare, recorded in the meter. With my mother’s docile nature, they always get away with their outrageous demands.

That day was particularly difficult for her. She waved and called out to every passing empty auto but none of them bothered to even slow down, let alone stop. The auto drivers’ rude behaviour, the noon sun, the mounting tension of being late, and thoughts of a bawling grandchild – a fuse went off in her head somewhere.

As another vacant auto approached, she waved it furiously to a halt and promptly climbed inside. Before the driver could ask where she wanted to be taken to she firmly told him to start the meter, follow her directions and get moving. The driver may have been so stunned by her behaviour that he quietly obeyed. When they reached school, my mother rushed out and disappeared into the building. Did he expect to be paid waiting charges? He didn’t get half a chance to even ask!

My mother returned, now with wailing granddaughter in tow. She asked to be dropped back. This time again, she curtly directed the auto driver along the shortest route.”

As she alighted she checked the meter - it read minimum fare. My mother thrust a twenty rupee note at the driver. He pocketed it slowly hoping that my mother would leave him with the change. Not to be. Just one glare from her and he returned the balance without as much as a whimper!

The auto driver had met his match that day.