जब फ़ोन की घन्टी बजती है तो कहते हैं "हेलो"

The arrival of telecom revolution in my locality came as a rude shock to me when repeated entreaties to the sabziwallah to stop his pull-cycle failed. While running towards his cycle I wondered what the reason could be for this sudden deafness, when he shouted, a bit annoyed "मैडम फ़ोन पर हूँ"। I stopped midway, open mouthed and embarrassed। Upon overhearing the conversation, my jaw was ready to hit the ground

"मैडम मैं अभी दूसरी गली में हूँ...और १५ मिनट लगेंगे शाम नाथ मार्ग आने में........"

The busy man was explaining some other madam from some other gali when he would be there to sell...

As if this was not enough, my bai (a recent temporary replacement for the regular one) gave me her set of directions in the evening...

"बीबीजी अपना मोबाइल नम्बर दो..."

...it was a 'not-to-be-ignored' command and I hastily obliged... Pulling out her NOKIA, she beep-booped in a style so professional, it would have put Bipasha Basu of the 'Corporate' to shame! Dazzled and speechless I waited...

"बीबीजी में आपको missed call दे रही हूँ...आगे से रात में कब आना है उस नम्बर पर फ़ोन कर देना। "...A tart reminder that her time was not to be wasted like last night...I could give her a mute nod...what else। :)