Language is no barrier... moye !

'Mr Deutch is a very important client. Please take good care of him. He wanted to get a first hand feel of the Indian markets.. so, suggest you take him to Lajpat..ok?…' This order was wrongly framed as a question and Prashant Kapoor had no choice but to function as Mr Deutch’s escort. A production manager with an export house, Prashant simply abhorred shopping. He never accompanied his wife for shopping purposes and thus wasn’t familiar with the interiors of Central Market in Lajpat nagar.

'Okay sir.. I will.. Umm..'

Mr Deutch was an American and like an unrestrained, super excited grown up kid, jumped into the car waiting downstairs. Prashant reluctantly followed him inside the car.

The traffic jams and the dissonance at the Central Market didn’t dissuade the ‘angrez’ from exploring every nook and corner while Prashant was pleasantly amused.

'Please ask her.. how much are these flip flops for Prashant?' Mr Deutch was all set to bargain with the lady at the shop. In India, do as the Indians do !

'Kitne ke diye ??' Prashant was the compliant translator.

'Ded sau ke do..' the lady at the shop hurriedly replied while trying to manage the many customers at her shop.

'Sir, she says.. she will give you two pairs for Rs 150 only…'

'Tell her to make it three pairs for 150 Rs … Yes Prashant ?' Mr Deutch didn’t want to close the deal so soon.

'Aunty, ded sau ke teen de do..' Prashant insisted

'Hum kyun khade hain yahaan ? is angrez ke ghar na chale jayein…' The lady replied scornfully and Mr Deutch could fathom that she is angry.

'Ummm what is she saying Prashant.. ?'

'Well sir, she says that this deal is not possible buttttt she would lovveeee toooo , youuuu knowwww ummm see the market places in your side of the country…' Prashant knew that Mr Deutch was an important client, hence behind pleasing him was an ulterior motive.

Mr Deutch looked at her, smiled and wanted to take this conversation further.. but the lady interrupted, remarked ‘Hatt Moye’ and resumed talking to other customers..

‘What did she say Prashant ?’ the American was curious.

‘She said .. let it be dear.. not possible…’

‘Aaaahh ok.. so moye stands for dear..’

‘Yes ?? yes.. yes.. you are right Mr Deutch..’

Next Mr Deutch saw a crowded take away and chole bhature here was a tempting sight.

‘Prashant moye, let us order a plate..’ Mr Deutch had picked up a ‘punjabi’ word after all, it had to find a place in every statement of his now.

'What ? yes…ok…' Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Prashant looked confused and obediently brought along two plates of chole bhature.

‘Thanks moye’

Prashant controlled his laughter with great difficulty.  Mr Deutch had a spoonful of the chole and finding it extra spicy raced towards the shop counter.

‘This is too spicy… How can you serve such spicy food ?’ Mr Deutch was quite unhappy with the quality of the food while the unclothed chef was unaffected.

‘pehle bol dete.. cheeni mila deta ..’

‘What is he saying Prashant ?’

‘Umm he is saying that he could have prepared the dish as per your taste buds but he didn’t know you were coming..’ Prashant was in a state of flux.

‘Oh ok.. I cant have this.. I am sorry moye..’ Mr Deutch left his plate at the counter and paraded towards his parked car while the shopkeeper was still trying to comprehend what he had just heard from Mr Deutch..

‘Kya bola ?'

'Jaane do bhaiya…' Prashant had to cover up for the damage caused.

After an eventful day at Lajpat Nagar, it was finally time for Mr Deutch to leave. He was very grateful to Prashant who had taken him around the whole day and had also doubled up as an efficient interpreter.

‘Okay Prashant moye.. its time for me to leave’ .. Mr Deutch had to now check in .

Prashant was waiting to rush out of the airport and laugh to his heart’s content when Mr Deutch hugged him one last time and said.. “Your language interests me, I will master it soon… moye..”