An insulting compliment!

So, I was coming back home from Chennai for Diwali. The train almost reached Hyderabad Deccan. I was alone in my compartment. My friends got off at Sec'bad. One of the ticket checking squad popped up and asked for my ticket. I gave a haughty smile and produced my ticket. "Your reservation is only till Sec'bad" he said. I jumped out of my seat. It was, indeed. The tickets were booked by my friends. And they have screwed me big time. I haven't ever travelled with a wait-listed ticket, let alone ticketless. Totally panicking, I tried to convince it "just slipped my mind"! He then nicely explained how he doesn't care a rat's rear and how I would have to pay as much as I paid from Chennai to Sec'bad. I checked my pocket. I had only Rs. 100, thanks to the pouring rain when I boarded the train and more thanks to my laziness. I then had to do something I thought I could ever do. Pursue him to keep the Rs. 100 note and call it even. It was as easy as I watched on TV9 (only more conscience pricking.. "Would I have chosen to pay the fine instead, if I had enough money?".. No clue!)

And that wasn't why it all got onto the blog. He then tried to start a friendly talk. In a "Iam-a-bribe-taking-bastard-but-let-me-pursue-you-to-think-Iam-a-thorough-gentleman" voice, "What do you do? Where are you from?". "A (brand new) Software Engineer (God! How much I hate calling myself that!). Iam from Hyderabad!".

It was then he said it. "Accha! But your Hindi is too "shuddh"!!"

Ah! What a slap in face! Delhi- what have you done to me!