The last working Friday of every month is a, sort of a, holiday in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
All the shops and businesses are closed except for medical facilities and dairies. A very funny thing indeed. And irritating too for me, since I don't cook at home and depend on the hotels for my meals.
This time I decided to linger around in the office till dinnertime, dine at Vashi, and then go home. At around 7.00pm Xavier, my former team lead, came up to me and inquired why was I staying back late in the office? I told him and he laughed and invited me to Sonia, his regular mess.
Me and Xavier share a good relationship: as good as a team lead and a team member share. So, I made him wait for another hour and at around 8.00pm we headed for Sonia. I was looking forward to a lot of "purotha", "double anda-curry", "ommelette", "cabbage sabzi" and a sprite, all being my favourites. This mess is close to the place I had stayed earlier and is closer to a classy joint, Spices. I had lived for almost 2 years right opposite to Spices but had never been there. As we passed, I told this to Xavier. He was probably waiting for an opportunity not to go to Sonia and and immediately said that we should then go to Spices. I was a bit reluctant, since it was the end of the month and I was low on cash. (my month end status begins roughly on the 13th of every month). He sensed my plight and said that the dinner would be on him. I was thrilled since I had always wanted to check this place out.
There's valet parking (even for motorbikes) at Spices and I was feeling pretty "elite" (I had only Rs.400 on me at that time, but who cares?). We requested for a table near the window and got one. The usual stuff followed: Vodka for Xavier and a Virgin Mango Bellini for me. Chilly paneer was our starter and when it came to the main course, I decided to take the best. I ordered a mushroom sizzler for me and a lamb-sizzler for Xavier. He deserved the best, since he was paying for the meal. The sizzlers arrived after 15 minutes and we were the center of attention for about 2 minutes until the sizzle died down. I was unable to finish my dish but did not ask for the leftovers to be packed. However, Xavier did justice to the lamb.
While Xavier asked for the bill, I looked outside and saw the valet re-parking my motorcycle. I thought I should tip him and decided that Rs.5 would be enough. I dug into my wallet and found that I did not have the exact change. I thought of asking Xavier but- here's the scene.
I make Xavier wait for an hour in the office until it’s "my" dinnertime.
I jump on the suggestion that we dine at a pricey place.
The dinner is on him.
I order overpriced dishes for us. (again, since he is paying!).
And now, I want him to tip the valet also, for my motorcycle!! (no one said there's a limit on being cheap!)
Well, I could have never lived with this and I tell him that the bill is going to be split. He is surprised and refuses at first, but I am adamant and he finally agrees. So we split the bill and then I ask him for the change to tip the valet.
I could not believe this happened.
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