fangs of dishonesty caught me too

I had a lump inside my throat and I knew that I would cry at any moment if he would show me a house that is more pathetic than the ones he had already shown me. I have lived like a princess in my small home back in Chandigarh, so here in Delhi I would settle for nothing less. I had high expectations from Southern part of Delhi when it comes to standard of living, so it would be better on the part of the broker to show me accommodations that would match my expectations.
But, here I was, standing amidst strangers. Some of them would scan me first head to toe and then toe to head. I have always disliked the stink of sweat but here I was thronged by people who , I wonder how, were ignorant of the smell from their body and from their mouth. I guess Nidhi and Ruchi could also make out from my facial expressions that I had not liked a single place that the broker ,they recommended had shown me. They were sweet enough to accompany me while I looked for a roof in jungle. But the guy with seemingly no posterior at all, put all his convincing skills in use, to persuade me that the dung is actually a grass and I can relax lying on it. Corruption is no doubt as much prevalent in Delhi as is air. But does each and every person ,looking for a roof here, has to go through this?

" Madam g. Exactly what kind of accommodation are you looking for?". When I am angry, I avoid speaking to the source of my anger. I dont lose my temper that often but when I do, I am worse than the Hulk. But I thought of giving the poor guy a chance before I trample him underneath my feet lest he sheds his venality and shows me a good place to live in. I thought to avoid speaking long sentences as well. The lesser and concise I speak, the more time we can save. So, I said, "Decent one.". "Alright madam g.", he said giving a glint of hope that my ordeal is about to meet its end. " Now Ill show you a good house... ummmm... It will be expensive... but its in very decent place and its huge.". I told him that money doesn't matter when it comes to security.

So far, I was shown two accommodations. I wanted to stay in an independent flat rather than as a paying guest as the former one gives you more freedom and flexibilty. Also, I am not into a habit of sharing. I was standing in a congested road of Malviya Nagar. I had stayed there for a month during my internship period as a student and had kind of liked the place. It's near Saket and the market is always full of hustle bustle. But I wondered which part of Malviya Nagar I was standing in.

The first house that was in the basement. Living in basement is like living like a rat or like Saddam Hussein. But I was ready to adjust on that account provided its good. The room was big and huge. But that was it. There was just a room. No living hall, no bedroom, just one single room. I feared if the bathroom was in open as there was literally no place for it. But then I was shown this room they called bathroom. It was made below the staircase(like Harry Potter's room). The english commode was fixed where the stairs started. That means if I had to pee I had to sit head down. Ouch! Thankfully the bathing place had enough space for headroom. Way no!

The next house that I was shown was ,though, not in the basement but was worse than the previous one. The room was on the terrace. He asked me with concern if it was alright for me to stay there. As I say, as long as it is good, I dont mind. As I was walking towards THE house ( emphasis on 'the' as this house is actually The house; one of its kind, infact the only kind) , I could see some loafers pleased at the sight of a female, the likes of which they dont get to see in their locality. I wondered if I would encounter them everyday. I was suddenly shaken by the shouts of a lady running up and down her house. What was more frightening was that she was running in a petticoat only. I thought some one must have peeped while she was taking bath or something but a close observation revealed that she was running after a kid, most likely his son. I thought to myself that if they do this marathon in the mornings as well, perhaps I can use her shouts and screams as a alarm clock.

There was a metal staircase leading to the top floor. The broker saw it as an opportunity to encash upon. Must say that these brokers are very shrewd. They have the tendency to spot opportunity in almost nothing at all. He said, "see madam g, here you can come and go anytime you want. You dont have the interference of the landlords." All the while he couldnt keep his big grin shut." Oh! How wonderful but arent staircases supposed to be outside the house only and not inside it." , I replied tauntingly.
There were three floors in all and each floor was a house itself. The first floor welcomed me with a stench and stains on the walls. The door was poorly hung and it seemed as if it had been kept that way and in that angle for if they dared to open or close it, the whole wall would collapse. The second floor had some semi-nude kids with running nose playing in the balcony. When they saw me, they gave me a smile hoping Ill say," oh how cute are they." But they should realise that they were ugly ducklings no matter what their mothers make them believe into. The third floor had some clothes hung on a rope. I wondered if these clothes were washed. Because they looked so dirty. Perhaps those people need to change their detergent if they were actually washed.
My room was on roof. This was nothing less than an achievement; from basement I am elevated to the terrace. The broker showed me the rooms with a regained enthusiasm. He led me to an array of rooms. You know I dont know if I can even call it an array of rooms. Infact no adjective comes to my mind to describe the place. The rooms were not arranged in any order. They were thrown like a kid throws his toys. There was just no symmetry. Also, it wasnt safe at all. Anyone can just jump in and do whatever he wants. Its not only the rapist, the monkeys or the robbers that I feared but also that aunty who was running in petticoat. I gave my sternest look to him. "How much for this you said?"
"Rs 9000"
"Rs 9000?"
"G madam g!"
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND OR WHAT? YOU THINK I AM A FOOL OR SOMETHING?"
I just gave in. I couldnt contain my anger anymore. The crook thought that since I am a girl and that too alone, I perhaps ran away from my home so my dignity is not greater than that of a prostitute, he wanted to exploit me as much as he could. But that was it. I had to show him my teeth or else he would think that I dont know how to defend myself. Nidhi and Ruchi were also taken aback with the sudden rise in my pitch. The guy tried to make an escape. " Mam. Why dont you tell clearly what do you want?". I calmed myself down and said," just show me a house that you would allow your sister to stay in." He replied excitedly as if now he can clearly visualise what kind of accommodation I am ACTUALLY looking for. I heaved a sigh of relief and thought of giving him one last chance. He went on explaining as we climbed down the shanty staircase," Mam there is a main road that runs in front of it. You will get complete privacy and great security."
The house with a new hope, as told, was within few steps. There was a cluster of shops. Sweet smell of jalebi teased the hungry monsters staying inside my stomach, sending reminders to my brain that I hadnt eaten anything for days. I was lost in my thoughts of this house with a renewed hope, wondering as to how good or bad would it be, when I was disturbed by the broker again. "This way mam.", pointing towards yet another metal staircase running from inside the sweet shop. I wondered if he wanted to treat me first as a compensation to his exploitation. But such has been the twists and turns with this guy, I thought it was better if I confirm it first. "Why are we going inside the sweet shop?"
He replied with pride and relief and a hope that after this he would make his deal with me
" Mam your the accommodation that I am talking about is inside this sweet shop only." He gave a huge smile with a glint.

Finally, I opted to stay in a pg (paying guest). Though I have to share my privacy and other things with my roomie, but I was ready to pay this much price for the peace of mind that I surprisingly got here.