Lessons…… The confrontation

Walking back with just half the amount……….

This is totally not how I had imagined the confrontation with my previous landlord. I got into the bus determined to talk about what honesty is, how I was not even sure of moving out into another place the evening I moved out, how what they were doing was all injustice and if they see benefit in my distress.. well then, let the LORD be the judge!!

The bus travel to that small corner of the city didn't take too long. Hanging by the plastic holders and swaying at the motion of the bus caused by the frequent switching between the breaks and the accelerator, I somehow reached the junction. How long from the junction did it take me to reach that house, I don’t know. All along I was thinking what I had to say and was repeating it over and over to myself. I finally did reach. Sweat droplets tracing a path down from my forehead to my cheek. I was exhausted.

The sweltering heat of Mumbai can be quite harsh. Nevertheless, I wiped it all off and let myself in the house. Making my way to the door and still playing the short speech in my head. I don't know how many times I would have repeated it over and over, just to be sure I was talking straight and right. Just to be doubly sure that I was talking something they would listen to and realise and return the money they owed me. Just to be so sure that what I would say would make a deep impact.

One knock on the door, the landlady walks to the door and opens it and now I'm inside that same house where I used to live. I somehow imagined it would be different. I couldn't describe or name my emotions then. I tried hard not to let myself go blank or worst of all forget what I was planning to say to them, sternly and clearly. I started with why I had to change and how it was not my mistake at all. I continued to talk on the difficulties and how all of the problems that I was going through at their place was affecting my health and finally ending the speech by saying that they should return the entire fixed deposit amount. She tried to interrupt me several times during my talk. But I didn't let her. I had to finish what I had to say!!!!

The visit wouldn’t have lasted more than 15 minutes in all. At the end of the talk she just handed me half of what I had paid her in the beginning. This is not justified!!! I came down to the ‘power speech’ that I had decided I would say.

I don’t suppose that made much difference to her. The next minute I saw myself walking out the door with the half she gave me and the door slammed shut at my face. I mean… seriously!!!!! “If you expect to gain so much at the cost of somebody’s health and well being…. then carry on!!!” 

If this is not open daylight robbery, then what is this????

I walked the entire distance back. It must have been over 2 km. but I didn't realise my feet ache or how I reached. My thoughts all caught up in how everybody except my family is ready to pounce on you the moment you seem vulnerable. How most people are just so greedy for money that they would rob off a student? How much it mattered to me that it was my parents hard earned money that I was robbed off. How there do arise situation that are solved without touching the rule book.

How they don’t even care for who you are and how nothing about you matters to them…..!