The day I met Gulab

The day I met Gulab

Anyone who living in London, and either having Indian roots or then is Indian ( South Asian) would know Wembley and Ealing road. That’s the road you get saris, costume jewellery, and guess what cooking utensils.

So in my quest for buying a readymade blouse for the sari's I had been given as gifts, I found myself wandering down Ealing road. Post asking questions and various people pointing in various directions, I found a small shop with an even smaller shop front. 

The owner/ primary sales person who was at the counter was helpful: lo behold there were dozens and dozens of ready mad blouses. Finally matching the right blouse to the right sari, I need to try these on for any ale rations (yes the do that free of charge).I was asked to try this in a changing room; read: a cubical with a sewing machine, and just a peg, there was a curtain which you needed to draw.

That's when I met Gulab, she was sent to assist me. So I introduced myself and she introduced herself, helped me, and then asked where I worked. I said Leicester Sqaure central London, she said "huh” - So I said “Central London" she looked at me and shrugged and said “Huh" yet again. Then she said are you working today and I said I work only Monday to Friday and she looked at me “that’s good" she said. 

When I took my goods feeling triumphant that I managed to do all this in less than 2 hours and did not have to pay another £6 for 2 hrs of parking; Gulab made an appearance in my thoughts. How did she not know where central London was, how long was she here, is that what she did all day long, man the stall outside the shop, did she seem happy? And then thought switched to she must be, what you don't know you will not miss, is that not wait people say?

I will always remember that brief conversation in the most unlikely of places, and will always remember her.

For Gulab though I am sure I was an blip in her ordinary day and an amusement for a short while. Funny isn't it, I am sure I was the only customer who asked her name...