Two men walk into a CCD and ask the attendant behind the counter, “How much for coffee?”
“A hundred and fifty seven rupees,” the attendant’s voice booms.
The younger of the two men looks at his middle-aged companion and repeats, “A hundred and fifty seven rupees”.
The middle-aged man giggles in surprise and embarrassment. He leads the way out repeating softly, “Hundred and fifty seven for a coffee”.
The words echoed, carrying a life of their own for the two men, the attendant and me.
appam stew n prawns patiyo 