Boiled - Are We?

New Delhi, there is a Hindi song “Delli ki sardi”…which hints at the extreme chill of wintry winds. I’m from Kolkatta, so even 2 degrees was just impossible for me to bear. My husband used to come back home from office as late as 7- 7:30, after that I used to serve him tea and snacks and then almost by 8 P.M. we were out for some fresh air. Usually due to jam and all, we used to get a bit late for home. So on the way, we were in the habit of munching something almost every day. Today, I’m going to talk about one of our favourites in that list - Boiled Eggs.

Yes, during winter one stall which frequented every corner of the street was this. Hot boiled eggs, two in number are sliced and then some onion, tomato, green chillies with some magic masala on top is served on a plate to you. Very simple dish and trust me, hot-hot it tastes heavenly.

But there is a twist in the tale. One night, we stopped by a stall. While I was standing next to our bike, my husband went down for placing the order. Within no time it was ready. My husband was carrying two plates in two hands; he without turning round, just stepped back a few steps and ……BITE..... I did scream out to him, because I noticed some movement from a distance but it was too late. There was a dog sleeping next to that stall, black dog in black night, my husband failed to notice and stepped on him, poor dog had no choice but to BITE.

Phir kya tha…we rushed to the nearby hospital – Safdarjung, it was almost 11 P.M. We reached the emergency ward. And I could not believe my eyes, there were so many patients with the same complaint – Dog Bite. Many kids were also there, waiting in anxiety, holding their mother’s hand tightly. It was a long wait before my husband could get his big injection in the buttocks.  Thanks to the Govt. that medical facilities are provided to the poor at a subsidiary rate, otherwise what would happen to all those who can’t afford to buy it?

Anyway, since that day, till the last day of our stay period in New Delhi, we could not master any courage to get to any such road side stalls again.