Joke

It was the day of Lakshmi Poojan of Diwali. That day I was working, because I was part of a team where we did not have Indian holidays. That evening I was going to my relative's home for dinner. As it was the day of Diwali, I was going to get gifts for them. For buying gifts I was carrying extra cash that day.

While we were working, I did not realise that I had kept my bag open and my wallet was peeking out of my bag. My colleague Karan came to my desk to ask something about the task. While leaving, he said, "oh wow. I guess I am lucky to find this", and he picked up my wallet from the bag.

Before I could say or react, he opened the wallet and said, "girl, you are wealthy. You have so much money". I was furious at his actions, because I do not like anybody touching my stuff, especially wallet. Never in my life anybody had the audacity to touch my wallet, let alone open it.

I snapped back, "Karan, just keep it back. I do not like anybody touching my stuff".

Karan and his friends were laughing, "oh so you got angry. See it is a good deed to given gifts on Diwali. Let's say you give me this money as Diwsli gift", he said while taking out rs 1000 from my wallet, the money that I was carrying for buying gifts for my relatives.

I was burning with anger, "Karan, put it back. This is not funny".

He continued to tease me and I was getting enraged with every moment.

After some time he said, "gosh you are such a snob. You are so frugal. Keep your money with you". Saying that he put the money back in the wallet and threw it at my desk.

That was the final straw. I felt not just angry but disrespected. I did not hold back, "Karan, you have not just disrespected me, you disrespected my hard earned money. You disrespected Goddess Lakshmi on the day of Lakshmi Poojan. It could be a joke for you, but it is an insult to Goddess Lakshmi". I was almost in tears but I held back my tears. I silently apologized to Lakshmi Mata for not being able to prevent her from such disrespect.

When I said this, everyone stopped laughing. Karan approached, "hey I am sorry. It was a joke. We saw your bag open and came up with an idea for a little fun. I did not want to hurt you. Can't you take a joke?" Classic way of turning tables but it did not work on me.

"If this was the joke, it was not funny. Playing with someone's money or faith will never be funny. Tell what you didto your parents and see how they react. Then you will know how funny your prank was", I was in no mood to forgive and forget.

This incident took place over 10 years ago, but I still remember it vividly. Every year on the day of Lakshmi Poojan this incident brings tears to my eyes. I wish that nobody ever gets subject to such gruesome prank.