Caught In | Hindi

I opened my wallet. Inside: two thousand rupees, a platinum credit card, and an American Express. Worthless here. Worthless in this language.

I had meant: Don't fine him. But what came out was: Don't give him. I had accused the driver of something. I had become the enemy. caught in hindi

The constable laughed — a short, dry sound. "Angrez chala gaya, desi reh gaya," he said to the driver. The Englishman has left, but the native remains. Then to me, in slow, cruel Hindi: "Aap ghar bhool gaye, sahab?" Have you forgotten your home, sir? I opened my wallet

The constable ignored me. He spoke to the driver in a rapid-fire Hindi I could only chase, not catch: " Tera baap ka rickshaw hai? Tu jaanta hai iska maalik kaun hai? " Worthless in this language

A constable materialized from the dust, mustache bristling. He didn't look at me. He looked at the rickshaw’s missing tail-light. "Challan. License."

I paid five hundred. Not because I was kind. Because I had no words to argue.