Myriad Realtors

   

For a decade, living in one of the prominent areas of Bangalore in a small block of a fine apartment that offered all the conveniences of an apartment luxury with very little price in the bargain was the courtesy of a kind and benevolent land lord. Like me there are other middle class families have made their home in this tranquil abode.

As change is the changeless charm of life; one fine morning owner came and informed all of us (tenants) that we have to vacate the house within the period of four months. He felt very hard to convey the message since his long association and bonding with the tenants but he was bound by the circumstances. The message sent the ripples of shock waves among the tenants and took a couple of days for all to come to terms with the unpalatable message and all had to accept the decision whether or not they liked it.

Couple of weeks gone by, each tenant has started calling every resource in his reserve to find a suitable accommodation within the purview of the locality. In a month’s time, the hunting spree began and each one ran helter-skelter to find the accommodation. It has become curious to know for tenants to each other’s situation like asking in Kannada ‘Mane Sikta’, what is the area, rent and advance, neighbors, proximity of the location to the child’s school etc. And each one came up with one or the other alternative to rescue them selves within the deadline.

I was nervous and keeping my fingers crossed as to how to solve the problem on hand.  Someone guided me to approach the real-estate agents so that I can find the accommodation of my choice. After giving some thought, I yielded and started approaching the agents in the locality.

The first agent I met received me with courtesy and asked me about my preferences and budget constraints and he took me to show the house on offer for rent and I saw it and told that there is ventilation problem. And after a few days we met again to see the second one and it was bit far and I told it is far for my son’s school and he reluctantly accepted my comments but for the third one for the nice apartment he had shown when I told I will inform him in a few hours time then he told ok. When I approached him after a couple of hours to convey my interest, he was waiting for an opportunity to pounce on me and told, sir, you will never get a house in your life in this area, if you continue to act in the manner. You are not a decision maker, and it seems you have not taken any decision quickly in your life and in the same tone he was going on but I left the place murmuring with a decision never to meet him again   

The second one I met was a young chap appearing to be in his thirties and told me his background and his legitimacy as a realtor, his office address and number of years in the business without ever asking by me.  One Sunday Morning I received a call from him and we went together to see one nice apartment. And he whispered me in the ear to tell that I am an official if owner asked about my profession since she is not interested to rent a house to a businessman. It was a very big apartment and was nice but the rent was beyond my means. But the agent was very curious to know about my decision and coxed and cajoled me to make a quick decision indicating how difficult it is to find a good house in the area and should not loose an opportunity. I did not budge a single inch to his repeated inducements and finally he told me, he would find a smaller portion for my requirement and when such one comes to his knowledge he would inform and from then on there is no communication whatsoever from him.

The third one I have met has been a very sweet talker and you feel instantly connected with him. He got my likings and disliking, budget within which I am looking for and the preferred area and accommodation. Then he told me, I would not get a fancy house within my budget but can get an ordinary house with red oxide flooring. For all reasons, if any such opportunity comes, he would call me and show me the house. A fortnight’s time has gone by, so far there is no call from him and whenever I call him, he receives my call gleefully and talks with his usual enticing manner and tells me to meet at a certain time and when I go at the time appointed, he would not be there. My hopes with him as a provider of succor in an hour of need getting bleaker but still his sweet tongue and mannerisms kept me in positive frame…

My never say die attitude finally brought me in contact with one gray haired, very patient, well mannered man. He has a small office and received and heard me with composer and has given me an assurance that he would find a suitable accommodation and his assurance has warmed the cockles of my heart and made me breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

My short experience with the tribe brought to bear some interesting aspects of their common traits and mannerisms that symbolize and distinguish them from ordinary mortals. In general, they are god fearing and start their day with visiting temples and sport a thick vermilion on their forehead. Mostly well built with don’t care attitude and most o them wear thick gold bracelets and finger rings and their necks adorn weighty gold chains. Within the locality they connect each other well and with a ferocious look, like lions they hunt in pairs and share the spoils of the day in equitable and just manner. 

In the mean time, I have escaped a dangling sword of owner’s wrath for he is out on American jaunt. One nearby house owner is tantalizing me with his vacant house and raising some hopes of me relieving from the clutches of myriad realtors.