You are saving me

The man who asked for 75 rupees said, “You should not give him the whole amount since he is unable to take you the whole way.”

Meanwhile, the three who had brought me from Madras wanted a share of this man’s 75 rupees. They said, “You have to give us something because we found you a passenger.”

The two drivers had a serious argument because the second driver didn’t want to give them anything. He said, “I am saving you because you can’t drive into Pondicherry.”

I said, “No, you are not saving them. You are saving me.” Then I begged him to take the 75 rupees and just drive me home.

When we arrived, I gave him 80 rupees.

— 1 March 1986