Eid Mubarak - Shukriya Shaukhat

 Ranjan introduced me to Shaukhat a few years ago. 'Terrific guy,' he told me. 'Excellent plumber. Great work ethic.'

I called Shaukhat. He speaks less. Politely. Minimally. 

Eid Mubarak

When he came I could see that he had a kind face, round, bearded, compassionate yet watchful eyes, dressed in loose clothes - kurta and pajama. His skull cap. Clean and spotless. He has this unobtrusive manner of all professionals, slides in and out without for a moment making you feel uncomfortable.

He quickly sizes things up, comes back and fixes them. He uses his own methods to fix them, always keeping our interests at mind. He buys stuff with his own money most times and charges later. And his pricing is such that we end up paying more.

Over the years I have been calling him for more than just plumbing works and he delivers each time. Nothing is below him. Perfect delivery each time.

I have started sending 'Eid Mubarak' greetings to all my service providers - Shaukhat, Feroze (the newspaper guy), Ashfaq (the netting guy). Some respond. Some do not.

Shaukhat always responds with a Shukriya saab.

And then he went one better. He started wishing me on Hindu festivals. Very cute.

This Eid, I was napping in the mid afternoon heat when the bell rang. Shaukhat was there - a plastic bowl in hand with sheer khurma. 'Eid mubarak,' he wished and went away. I was too dazed to respond.

It was lovely. The best sheer khurma I ever ate.

Thanks Shaukhat. Eid Mubarak.