Bystanders II: Trophy Hunters by Phillip Murrell

Author:Phillip Murrell [Murrell, Phillip]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2017-11-19T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Darsh Johal pedals his yellow cycle rickshaw down a densely packed New Delhi street. The sound of the city overpowers the casual tourists, including the British pair who flag him down to employ him.

The cart is small and can only accommodate two passengers. Darsh sits hunched over the pedals and meanders through a sea of people to beat rivals to paying customers. The woman looks delighted and clearly urges her much older husband for the unique trip.

“Please! I’ve always wanted to ride in one of these, and this one is so cute,” the woman begs.

“It looks like a rat,” her husband responds.

“No, it’s a cute little mouse. Yellow with big black ears.”

Darsh jumps off his seat and quickly runs to the couple. He already spotted two additional rickshaw cabbies closing in with fancy motorized vehicles.

The husband stares accusingly at Darsh.

“He looks barely strong enough to get it going with both of us in it,” the man states.

The comment hurts Darsh, but it’s not that uncommon. Standing a mere five feet six inches and weighing at one hundred and forty pounds, he can’t denounce the man’s first impression.

“I assure you, sir,” Darsh begins, “that I’m exceptionally fit. The pedals do most of the work. Where are we going today?”

Darsh moves to grab the couple’s shopping bags and load them onto the back. The man grabs his hand and stops him.

“Unhand our belongings.”

Darsh does as commanded. “Yes, sir. Not a problem. I just didn’t want you to have to stand in the hot sun.”

“Reginald,” the woman chastises, “leave the poor man alone. He’s just trying to show us some service.”

Darsh smiles at his ally. He knows how to pull at her heartstrings to get the fare.

“Poor is right. I’m just trying to feed my family. I’m so close to getting the money for a motorized rickshaw cart.”

Darsh acts pathetic, and the woman appears to fully believes his play. Her husband doesn’t seem so easily fooled.

“Don’t be so melodramatic,” he says to Darsh, then turns his attention to his trophy wife. “Elizabeth, you can’t trust these people. They’ll say anything to get your money.”

Darsh has one more play he can pull. “I’m sorry for offending you, sir. I’ll leave you be. It may be December, but it’s a bit warm today. I don’t want to make you stand in the elements.”

Darsh turns his back and slowly walks to his cycle rickshaw. He can hear Elizabeth pleading behind him.

“Please, Reginald. I’m sick of walking and want to see the museum before it closes.”

Darsh casually looks over his shoulder at the couple. “I suggest hurrying. It closes at five o’clock.”

Elizabeth looks at her watch and squeals. “That’s only two hours away! I won’t have enough time to look at the treasures.”

Reginald addresses Darsh. “What’s your fare?”

Darsh pretends to consider a deal. “For the museum, that will be one thousand rupees.”

“That’s outrageous. It isn’t that far from here,” Reginald says.

“No, but I’ll pedal exceptionally fast and still delight you with a mini-tour,” Darsh counters.

Elizabeth doesn’t seem in the mood for the banter.

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