Time: 9:00 PM, 12-09-2005, Monday.
Place: Punjabi Dhaba infront of my Office.
Purpose: Dinner.

I had come a bit late for my usual time and it would be normally crowded at this time. Though, it isn't crowded now and I settle down into the table and start watching the Zee TV, which had some Amitabh Bachhan film going on...Was very much glued into the film, when I realise the sudden activity in my table..

There was the bearer, with his white-white suit[(surprisingly, this Dhaba employees look very decent and tidy!..that is one more reason why we come here...The taste is very good here(though it is a bit costly)], cleaning the table with his tools and getting some cold water in the glass. I smile at him and off..he goes and returns with the usual, Nimbu-Pyass combination...The onions are neatly cut in even circles and the lemon is fresh. I give a very pleased look and again he jumps at the next table and leaves the "Pepper- Salt" container in my table. I am mightily pleased with his understanding, for it is my practise to lace the onion with salt, pepper and lemon juice before eating it....and I am very happy about the customer service this dhaba had got...

With time passing on, and I am too immersed in the taste of onion, to note anything else, the film is getting more interesting by the second. Then, the bearer comes, puts up the plate with the lemon n onion aside, starts serving the order- Dal Rice, Masala Papad, a glass of sweet lassie- I finish this off without a murmur and then, the second round- a plate of Curd rice, ladden with onions, coriander leaves, Pomagranate seeds, Dates etc come up and I finish that off in relish....

Then comes the last part- the Bill...the bearer hands over the bill..and then, I suddenly remember something....all along, I had not placed any orders to him...He hadn't taken any orders from me...I remember coming to the Dhaba, sitting in my place and the next thing I remember is the scent of fresh onions and dal rice....Startled, I call up the bearer and ask him "Who placed the order?"...Calmly, he replies"None, But I know"

Even more startled at his reply, I ask "How come u know?", with a slightly hurt ego!

He: "Ah Saar!!..This is what you eat daily!!...Dont I know!"

Now, everything dawns on me!...Then, I start realising how I sit in the same place daily, facing the same direction, ordering the same stuff in the same order and thinking nothing about it!!..I realise, that I had been having the same food for the past so many days, without even realising that I am having the same food!!. Another event to prove the point- this happened today in the office canteen...when we went for breakfast, on seeing me, the cashier, takes a seperate bill for Idli-Vada-Sambhar with the exact change for Rs.10...It had become an accepted practice that I would give Rs.10 note and that he needs to give back the change...he takes even the change ready anticipating my Rs.10/- Similarly, for the lunch...and even for the snacks time- same strawberry milkshake!!.

My life had got into this horrifying routine...just that, whatever change I make, that change itself settles as routine!!!...*Sigh*