A LUCKY DAY

A LUCKY DAY

I went and parked my car in the parking lot. I and my wife Jenny came
out of the car and walked down the road. To Jenny this place was a very
familiar one, she knew every nook and corner for this was her favourite
shopping area. Whenever she wanted to do shopping, she came to this
place to satisfy her buying needs and wants.

Today, while I was driving the car from our house to this place, it was
terrible. Traffic jam, which is a nuisance, encountered with me.
Usually at this time of the evening I avoid driving through this road,
as this is the busiest road in this town. Today, Jenny took the
advantage of my presence at home and sought my company in shopping.
Finding no other way out I had to give in to her request.

All the way she had been chatting away, but only a few words entered
the holes in my ears, to work out my brain cells and make out the
meaning. While driving I prefer to concentrate on the road than talk.
To tell you frankly, at times I feel Jenny is a chatter-box and I also
get fed up with her talking for at times what she says has no relevance
in my life. Although she should keep her secrets to herself, but those
don't digest in her stomach unless she spells it out to someone.

Today, we walked hand in hand and I also felt very happy in having this
day out with my wife.

"Fred, come on let's have some food at 'Sophia's'", said Jenny.
'Sophia's' was a restaurant which served nice food. Once before, I had
taken food at this place with Jenny, but it was a long time back.
'Sophia's' was housed on the first floor and slowly we climbed up the
flight of steps because we were no way in a hurry. This was a snug and
cosy place and soft music touched the ears. A table at the right hand
corner was empty. We occupied our place there.

Jenny placed the order ?? cheese sandwich, vegetable cutlets and of
course hot coffee. The aroma of the freshly prepared food on the tables
suddenly activated my appetite and I began to feel very hungry.

"Fred, I want to buy some clothes for you", said Jenny. But the words
did not ring into my ears for I was interested in my food being served
as quickly as possible. She nudged me at my elbow and said, "What's
wrong with you? Didn't you hear what I said".

"Dear, don't you think they are late in serving the food? Bad service,
don't you feel the same", said I absent mindedly.

"Why are you in a hurry? Let them take their own time. It's such a nice
place. Come on spend some time here and enjoy the food also," said
Jenny.

Soon the boy served the cutlets and the sandwich's and I gobbled them
up in no time. Now I felt that there was still some blank place in my
stomach which needed something more to fill up. I ordered for some more
cutlets for both of us. The second order came to the table and then
into our mouths and finally into the digestive system.

Hot coffee was served soon after we had finished the food. I enjoyed my
coffee, sipping slowly and enjoying the drink wholeheartedly. After
paying the bill both of us went out, Jenny proceeding towards the
readymade store to pick up her choice from the huge melee of varieties
and colour.

Very carefully and cautiously she picked up two shirts and said, "Fred
do you like these colours?"

"If you have chosen these colours for me I think they are very bright.
Don't you think so?"

"Nothing doing, these are for you", and she asked them to pack it up.
The shirts were very costly which I could only know when I paid for the
bill at the counter. It made no difference to her but it did pinch my
pockets because the money came out of my wallet and into the hands of
the cashier. Jenny felt very happy in carrying the packet out of the
shop.

"Fred, come on let us do some window shopping", she said with simply no
expression on her face as she knew I would react negatively. But today,
in the company of Jenny, I liked this market-place, the food at
Sophia's, my shopping and now my mind yielded and supported her view.
On my agreeing to her for window shopping she was delighted and gave a
hug and kissed me. We walked down the long line of shops sometimes
stopping at the place where it attracted the eyes. Many more people
were doing the same as us. I felt a sort of a pleasure in this. Simply
can't remember the last time when both of us had been out like this,
enjoying our evening. A glance at the watch showed that we were unaware
of the time that had passed.

I said "Jenny, let's get back for its getting late". She simply nodded
her head and but her arm into mine and rested her head on my shoulders
and with small steps we walked back to the parking lot.

At the parking lot, I found a young gentleman, leaning against the
front door of our car. Both of us moved towards the car and I put my
hand into my pocket to get the keys but no the keys were not there. I
said, "Jenny I can't find the keys. Just can't think what I have done
with them".

"Try the other pocket", she said.

"I've run my hand into that pocket also but the keys are not there," I
said in a worried tone.

By now the gentleman who was leaning against our car spoke out, "have
you lost your keys?" Hearing someone speaking I looked at him blankly
and said, "Can't find them". At this he said, "Just try to remember,
sure, you must have left it behind it in the car". At his words it
struck me that I had forgotten to take the keys before closing the
door.

Jenny spoke out sharply at me and said, "Fred you are so unmindful. We
are in real trouble now".

"Darling don't say that, instead let's find out a way of getting
something done". On hearing me, the gentleman who was standing there,
now had moved a few steps away put forth his suggestion. He said, "You
see I have the car of the same make as yours standing there. If you
permit me, I can use my keys and try out and see if it opens your
door". Both of us welcomed his approach. He tried with his keys and it
worked wonders. The lock opened.

"Thanks for your help", said I. With a "Mention not", he went to his
car and I was busy and happy to find the keys hanging inside. Jenny and
me were so engrossed with ourselves that we did not know what happened
until a shout reached our ears, "Stop that car, its mine, he is
stealing it. Catch hold of him, that thief is stealing my car".

Looking up I saw an elderly gentleman running towards us. He said,
"That man has stolen my car and sped away".

At this I said, "But he told me it was his. He had the keys".

Jenny moved close to me and whispered in my ears, "He couldn't take
ours, but got the other one". Both of us looked at each other, and I
told Jenny, "A lucky day indeed".