Who am I?

The cellphone rings. The number is not familiar. I pick up the call.

"Hello, This is Pradeep here."

Even while I introduce myself, the voice at the other end says, "Rajubhai hai?" (Is Rajubhai around?)

Since I think he didn't hear me, I repeat."This is Pradeep, here."

But he is persistent."Rajubhai hai?"

I switch language. "Main Pradeep bol raha hoon." (This is Pradeep, here)

No use.

He: "Rajubhai hai?

Me: "Kaun? Rajubhai?" (Who? Rajubhai?)

He: "Ha, Rajubhai hai?" (Yes, is Rajubhai there?)

Me: "Nain, ithar koi Rajubhai nahin hai." (No, there is no Rajubhai here.)

He: "Hoga yaar..." (He should be there...)

Me: "Yahaa.. ? Kahaa...? (Here? where?)

He: "Wahan.. workshop mein." (There in the workshop.)

Me: "Yeh workshop nahin hai." (This is not a workshop)

He: "Rajubhai hoga workshop mein." (Rajubhai will be at the workshop.)

Me: "Lekin, muche koi Rajubhai ko jantha nahin." (But, I don't know any Rajubhai.)

He: "Zara puch lo na..." (Just ask around.)

Me: "Kahan..." (Where?)

He: "Workshop mein abhi aya hoga..." (He would have come to the workshop now.)

Me: "Idhar kuch workshop nahin hai... Mein office me hoon..." (There is no workshop here. I am in the office.)

He: "Workshop tho office ke baaju mein hein na..." (Workshop is just beside the office, is it not...)

Me: "Wrong number."

He: "Achha, theek hai." (Okay.)

He cuts the line. No apologies, no, nothing. Must be just another call, another day for him.

I wondered how long I could have carried on that conversation!