The tripod was set, the camera primed. I gave a final check to the frame, noticing the Nikon banner, the boards of Adidas, KFC and Levi’s. The space was set and we were on the look out for posh ladies and pretty lasses. “Ma’am, we are from NDTV. Could you please spare a minute for us?” And most of them were running short of time.
We were taking a public opinion on the credit card CIBIL story that we followed and the crowd really amused us with the response. ‘50% SALE ’, I zoomed out and focussed on the shoe behind the Woodland glass. “What story is this?” enquired a loud cheery voice. A pleasant and plump face fixed a gaze on me. “… hmm .. a story on the shopping trends… ” I replied clearing my throat.
“We’ve just opened a new shop here, would you please cover that too?” she started pleading. Ranjan and I were more than happy. We saw a pool of water in the desert. Cleaving through the market crowd, the fawn jumped with glee.
Glistening, fresh and spotless, the apparel outlet shone with all the perfect setting and keep. We stumbled upon gold. Capturing all our desired shots, and most coveted frames we had to please the budding entrepreneur. Setting her in the frame,
I started, “so since when is the shop open to public”
“…about a week.”
“And how’s the response?”
“Hmm pretty well, actually its just a week so I’ll say good. Actually nothing in the shop is more than eleven hundred, so…”
“So there must be a lot of card payment here?”
“Oh! Yes.”
“Okay, ma’am so even you prefer credit cards? Or cash?”
“oh yes yes,.. Cards!”
“And are your bills being paid in time?”
“(Laughs) ya mostly.”
“That’s good, so ma’am, are you aware of any body called CIBIL?”
“No, I fear.”
“That’s okay ma’am. It’s a body that monitors your card bills and payments and makes a defaulters’ list.”
“Anyways, thank you ma’am.”
“Thank you. I am so excited. Thanks to NDTV for featuring our shop. When will this be aired? What time? I’ll tell all my friends.”
“Listen, why don’t even you speak and answer the questions… They are featuring our store,” she chirped in excitement to her husband.
“Perhaps tonight, 9 o’ clock bulletin” Ranjan gave a prompt reply.
“Not necessarily. It will be edited first and they’ll decide if it’s going on air or not,” I hesitated.
“Ok… But thank you so much. It was very nice of you. You shot those mannequins? Half in the wall, ones? They are nowhere here in this market.”
“Rinki, take out two bags.” She ordered her helping hand.
“You pick up anything from the store that you like. It’s a small present from our side.”
I was taken aback. Apart from shamelessly denying her gesture I could do nothing better.
We were back from our shoot, with a jackpot in hand and a little sullen heart. How excited had she been! This was just a class bulletin, was one. This was faked was entirely a scheme. Why is it, that most of the work in the country is schemed? Be it the CWG tenders or the class bulletin.
