December 14, 2005

The other day I was at the airport to receive a best friend of mine. I inadvertently ran across a beautiful lady at the sales counter of a cafe. I was quick to notice her name badge resting inside her left hand shirt pocket. The badge was hanging through a neck string. Out of sheer curiosity, when I wanted to know her name, she was not too pleased.  Finally, reluctantly though, she showed me her badge and it read ‘Katrina”

“But I am not that Katrina, Sir” she said, as if she is pleading with me that she has nothing to do with the catastrophic hurricane that killed thousands. Her eyes were filled with tears. When I further grilled her on her flowing tears she said:

“Just a while ago an American tourist scoffed at me after reading my name and said – Hell with your name which spells gloom, bloody Katrina - and he walked away. So I had to quickly turn my badge upside down, Sir. I feel so sorry for my name.”

I was stunned. “You better not feel sorry for your name” I assured her as a mark of solidarity.

The above incident reminded me of my visit to my hometown, some years back.

During my short air sojourn, I met with an air hostess called Mona. When I smiled at her after reading her name through her name badge, she became defensive.

“Please do not mistake me for that other Mona.” She said. “I am not that Mona. I am Monica Gomes”

“Who is that other Mona?” I asked her.

“Have you not heard about Mona Darling, Hindi film villain Ajit’s girl friend?” she said. “I am a decent girl from a decent family. I am married to a decent gentleman from whom I have a son of three years”

Daijiworld exclusive caricature by Harini

“Is he decent too?” I asked her. She smiled out of nervousness.

After a year or so, I met the same air hostess again on a different flight. By now, Ajit was gone from this world, but I was surprised to find a different name on her badge”.

 “Are you not Mona, Monica Gomes?”- I asked her.

She stood there like a statue. And then with folded hands she pleaded with me - “Please do not embarrass me. I had no other option but to change my name. You know very well what Monica Lewinsky did to us.”

“But what has she done to your name?” I asked her. 

“Not to my name” - she clarified. “But didn’t she tarnish a President’s credibility. Of all the guys in America, why Monica did not find anyone but our Clinton? Wasn’t there any other decent bachelor in her neighborhood?

“But that was long back” I argued with her. ” Moreover, do you really believe that only Monica is to be blamed for whatever happened?

 “That’s exactly what is wrong with you gents” said she. “You people hardly realize the height of your innocence. You guys easily carried away with whatever the ladies say or do. Is it not the history getting repeated?”

“Please go ahead and explain” I said without further provocation.

“Who was the first seductress? Who seduced Adam, the first man on earth?

I did not like to react as I knew very little about the private life of Adam and Eve. From whatever I knew through the catechism classes of our Parish Priest, I had already concluded that Adam and Eve were the first married and most unhappy couple on earth.

It was not my business to investigate as to who seduced whom into sex.

At home, when I mentioned to my wife about my meeting with Monica and the big game behind her name, she came charging at me. 

“Could you guys please leave her alone” she pleaded with her voice filled with concern. “Poor girl is in the jail and you guys have no sympathy whatsoever!”

I was confused. Which Monica is she talking about? When I quizzed her further, she said with frustration:

“Have you not heard about that girl called Monica Bedi?’

“Yeah, that Kudi Punjabi, Janam Samjah Karo girl, what happened to her?”

“Do you remember that boy from Bandra, who use to play in our courtyard”

“Yeah, Salem Miah, the one’s post office used to be open always?”

“Exactly, he is now inside Arthur Road jail and blames Monica for being responsible for his crimes against the humanity.”

“Please give me more! (News) ” I said out of frustration.

“Salem pleads innocent and argues that Monica forced him into committing a sin that he never intended”.

That was the first time I had my own doubts whether Adam was really innocent, in difference to the belief of most of our ladies including Monica Gomes.