Unsystematic things happen with systematic people. One such funny thing happened today. Last week, I had applied for a passport re-issue. I had applied in Tatkal scheme, paying more than double the amount, only to receive it urgently within five days. I was expecting to receive this yesterday or today.
Given that I had not already received it, I got little worried because often people have trouble finding my flat. As I was walking down the road, I came across a man in khaki with a bag. Postman, I thought. He indeed was. So I got hold of that random postman and asked him if he had any letter in my name. Evidently, the answer was “no”.
However he was kind enough to give me a phone number of his colleague who he said might be having it. To my pleasant surprise, I called him and found out that he indeed has a letter bearing my name. Then, we met at a mutually convenient place and he handed over the passport to me after I showed him my ID card. He also said, “I was about to return it to the passport office if you didn’t call me up today.” Phew! How many people would catch a random postman on the road and ask if he has their letter? Then he said, “Coffee?” I understood. I gave him Rs 10, told him thank you and buzzed off.
So much for a passport! While I am really glad to have ultimately got my passport, I sometimes wish things happened systematically with systematic people.
