Conversation overheard on the tempo this morning*

Little Old Man hits the roof of the tempo, “let us off here.”
Tempo Driver, “I will let you off in a minute.”
Little Old Man, “I said let us off here.”
Tempo Driver, raising his voice, “we are in the middle of the road on a bridge. I will let you off on the other side.”
Little Old Wife, also with voice raised, “we can’t get off here. We will get hit by a car. Why must you always be so obstinate?!”
Little Old Man, “nothing will happen. Let us off.”
Tempo Driver, “I can’t, in good conscience, let you off. Pay now and it will be faster when we get to a place that I can safely stop.”
Little Old Random Passenger Woman, “Listen to your wife and the driver. They know best.”
Little Old Man, “I will jump.”
Little Old Wife, “Geesh. Good Riddance. Trying to get me killed. If you do jump have fun making your own dahl bhat tonight.”

Traffic starts moving again, Little Old Man huffs, and we drive to the other side of the bridge where they slowly climb down from the tempo and hobble on their way.

*The entire conversation was in Nepali so I don’t actually have any idea if this is what was said but I find comfort in thinking that little old couples are the same the world over.