The Marketplace

“I was literally just trying to buy a second-hand fridge,” Amrita said helplessly.
“But madam, why are you clicking these links? Scams everwhere. Not reading newspaper? Only Instagram,” said the unrelenting cop.
“Sir, what are you saying? Can you help me?” she tried arguing with him.
“You file FIR, madam. We will see,” he said, before turning to Akshay, adding, “Nodi sir. Don’t keep too much hope.”
Akshay, who was nervously glancing around, just smiled.
Amrita finished filling the FIR, her heart beating through her chest. She was not going to cry. Not in front of this chauvinistic, insensitive cop. So she pulled up her metaphorical big girl panties and took the stairs that led her out into the unforgiving July heat.
She heard Akshay scurrying behind her. “What a dick,” he said.
She wasn’t going to take the bait. She wasn’t going to-
“Now your tongue works!” Amrita stated.
“Wtf does that mean?” asked a confounded Akshay.
“You didn’t have my back in there. Literally stood there unhelpfully,” she retorted.
“What!? You lost the money. You are victim. I was just giving you the space to speak,” Akshay said, trying to keep up with her speed.
“What a great ally you are, Akshay.” She paused. “Why was that cop even talking to you half the time? Seriya sir? Nodi sir. Why madam was on the app sir? I came to file the FIR. I am the victim. And you just stood there.
“Okay Amrita, I get that you’re angry, and you’re taking it out on me-”
Amrita scoffed. “Really!? Poor innocent victim who happened to be around this Godzilla who tried to buy a second-hand fridge on the Facebook marketplace but was too dumb and got scammed out of 80K.”
Amrita stopped walking suddenly. Akshay paused a few steps ahead of her.
“My god, Akshay. I lost 80K. I’ve lost all my savings! That cop was right. I should not be allowed online,” she said.
“Oookaaay… Let’s not overrea…overcorrect?” Akshay was trying really hard to helpful.
“Akshay how did I fall for this? How? How? Am I that dumb?” She paused.
Silence.
Amrita launched into another attack, “Of course, you think I am dumb.”
Akshay started, “Of course, not –”
“Listen it’s 3pm… Let’s grab some lunch, get you hydrated.” Akshay tried.
Amrita slowed down. Well, no one achieved anything from going hungry and thirsty.
A few minutes later, they were seated on the uncomfortable sofa of their favourite spot. Amrita put her palm on the menu card Akshey was scouring through, “Should I go off the grid?"
Akshay asked, “How would I get in touch with you?”
“Write me a postcard, send a pigeon. I don't know,” Amrita said, petulant.
“How would you buy a new second-hand fridge?” Akshay tried joking.
Amrita was too upset to notice. “I’d go to a marketplace IRL. Like my grandparents did. I wouldn’t get scammed then.”
“Like snake oils weren’t a thing?” Akshay asked.
“Oh god! Is there no escape? What do I do?” Amrita asked rhetorically.
“You could eat an Al Faham Chicken with extra kubbus..?” Akshay offered helpfully.
“Yah okay!”