“Bibi, you will have to wait as the officer is busy now. Why don’t you sit over there,” said a man with his huge belly being the larger part of him, sitting at the desk which was a glass top covering a white sheet that seemed to enjoy fluttering in front of a large pedestal fan.

Wincing inside, I could not help but curse this old stagnant practice of getting documents attested by government officials, but I did as I was told. The lazy looking staff and their casual treatment with public was enough to give me the creeps.

Soon more people started to pile in, also to get their documents attested and took seats next to me. After about half an hour or so had passed, two young, very stylishly dressed girls with lots of make-up walked in and said to the man at the counter, “We need to get the photo copies of our documents attested.” The man said, “Do you have the original ones with you? “ When they replied in affirmation, the man checked their documents and in one fluid smooth movement went inside a room located at the far end. In about five minutes the man returned with the envelope and handed it to the girls. Off they went giggling and chatting in their youthful spirit.

Utterly surprised upon witnessing the scene, I strode to the counter and asked in a low voice, “Sir, could you check if the officer can spare a few seconds to sign my documents since I have been waiting for an hour now?” He glared at me and replied in an agitated voice, “Bibi I have told you already when the officer wants to sign your documents I will call you.”

Perplexed I returned to my seat where others like me were also getting edgy. Soon another fashionably dressed girl walked in, he did the same for her and that too with a completely changed demeanor, all smiles and pleasantry.

That was the last straw and I said to him, “Sir, how come you are not attending those who have been waiting here since this morning?” This time he was really cross with me. “Bibi why don’t you understand that we are not sitting idle here but we have lots to do and I am taking as many documents to the officer as I can and that too as fast as possible. If you are in such a rush, you are welcome to go elsewhere with your documents.”

Hit by incredulity and rage in the worst manner possible, I thought of leaving right then but the thought of going to another government place, meeting people of the same sort and reliving the whole experience kept me rooted to the ground.

So gritting my teeth and conjuring every single ounce of willpower in me, I fought an urge to punch the fellow and kept repeating under my breath that patience is virtue and watched with dull eyes as the pretty belles in the room were offered the best service (of course they couldn’t afford to see a damsel in distress could they?), while plain Janes were made to wait till eternity to get their work done.

Finally, after about what seemed an eternity, I got my work done and dashed outside without a backward glance.But one thought that stayed with me was that next time, a painted face with make up and a stylish dress might come a lot handy in places like these, after all looks are what usually matter, don’t they?