The other day I had bought a carton of milk which screamed "Susu Segar" in the local language. "Segar" sounds close to sugar so by method of elimination I had concluded that "susu" must mean milk. But I needed a confirmation on this. I refuse to stay in ignorance/doubt when it comes to such issues. I don’t know the latest mission of NASA, I don’t know the last sanctions imposed by the UN, I don’t know how much we owe the IMF and World Bank but this I had to find out…
So the next day when I met my local friend by the water cooler I clarified by doubt.
Me: Hey...good morning! (I said in the local tongue.)
Water Cooler buddy: Good morning!!! (with her usual warm smile)
Me: So in your language "susu" means milk?
WCB: Yes…correct.
Me: And "segar" must mean sugar? You see I bought some milk yesterday and the carton read "susu segar". I am assuming it meant sweetened milk.
WCB: Oh! You poor girl…you are worried about your figure. You think drinking sweetened susu would make you fat. (Yeah right...like that's the part to worry about.) Haha…but no…"segar" does not mean sugar. It means fresh. You are drinking fresh susu…very good for your health.
Me: Oh! That’s sooooooo reassuring. Drinking stale "susu" would not be such a good idea.
WCB: So you like drinking susu?
Me: Err…I am not too fond of…of it… (I could not bring myself to say it.)
WCB: But you just said you bought a carton???
Me: Yes…I needed the mmm…the "ingredient" for my custard.
WCB: Oh! Right…susu can make the desserts very delectable…
Me: My friends are going to love this…when they would hear that I actually pay money for susu. In my country you can get it for free.
WCB: Really?
Me: Nope…am kidding. There’s a man who’s famous because he drank susu every day though… (Yes…Morarji Desai...I know he did other commendable things...but the strangest one catches our fancy...isn't it?)
WCB: (Puzzled) Here every one drinks susu…
Me: Of course…why not…
In my childhood my parents had to force me to drink…er…milk. (couldn’t say it again) [May be deep down I knew that this day would come and hence used to refuse to take milk as a kid...]
WCB: Tell your mother that you are drinking susu every day. She will be happy.
(That is one of the many things my mom does not want to hear from me…)
Me: Yeah I will tell her. Well…catch you later…need to go back to work now.
WCB: Bye…
And as I turned around ready to work with a rejuvenated mind I saw a guy from India standing right behind us with a smile on his face.
I was taken aback for a while.
Then I told myself the following 3 things…
- He could be smiling thinking of some other thing…
- Even if he had heard me…eavesdropping was, is and will always be a sign of bad manners.
- When in doubt about 2 possible situations choose to believe the one that suits you.
And I walked back to my seat with a straight face and a light heart.
PS: My sincerest apologies to you if you were in the middle of a meal/snack while reading this. May I offer you some compensatory chocolates? Don’t worry they are dark…not milk!
