the Story of Dosa Corner Uncle

Just like most other Saturdays, I drove to Dosa Corner – an unconventional small South Indian restaurant in Columbus. It was one of my favorite places and it was my ritual to go there once a week. Although it is not supposed to be a hang-out place, I made it one for myself. Owner uncle, who usually wore an austere expression, had became friends with me over the last few years. We used to talk about his family, his roots, his business, etc. He had a typical Indian who-cares-if-not-mine attitude.

Anyways, so this one evening as I walked into the tiny restaurant I noticed that the car parked in front of the restaurant had its headlights on and it seemed to be unintentional. I also noticed that the place was unusually jam packed busy, which made it difficult to assume whose car it might be. So I walked up to the owner uncle, greeted him, placed my order and informed him that someone had left their car headlights on expecting him to inform his customers so their car battery won’t drain out.

To my surprise, he carelessly waved off my comment by saying he was not going to announce-shonnounce to anyone. They should learn to take care of their cars and their headlights themselves, he said. On and on he kept going, saying mean things. I was surprised at his irritability but then decided he was probably just having a bad day (or maybe he was just being himself) and focused on the food that had just been served to me.
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About half hour later as I walked up to the counter to pay the bill, a waiter rushed through the entrance door loudly declaring that uncle had left his car’s headlights on. Yes, the same car that I had warned uncle about. Owner-uncle instantly shot a glance at me as to examine whether I had heard the guy. Generally we share a small conversation before I leave, but this time he avoided me for the rest of the time I was around. And to save him anymore embarrassment, I left quietly. The point was made and it was just too funny to be true!