Once upon a bustling evening at Mumbai CST, Rajesh, a man of around 40 years, with a scruffy beard and worn-out clothes, turned towards Lata, a woman slightly older at 45, her face marked by wrinkles that told stories of hardships endured.

These two unlikely companions, Rajesh and Lata, found themselves sitting side by side on a busy street, their empty begging bowls resting on their laps. The air was heavy with the chaos of city life, they both are silent with motionless expressions on their face.

Rajesh asks Lata without looking at her, "Lata, what do you have for pillow today?"

Lata mischievous and grim, "Just an empty bowl."

Both have notion of silence and Lata asks to fill the gap, "Rajesh, What do you have in your Lap?"

"Nothing, just an empty bowl, Lata."

And both smile a little to relieve the air.

Their spirits remained high as they decided to console each other with a dose of humor.

Rajesh smiled and said, "Lata, have you ever wondered why beggars always carry a cup?"

Curiosity piqued, Lata replied, "No. Why? "

"Well," Rajesh explained, "it's not just for collecting money. It's also for when we want to have a 'cup' of tea or coffee at a fancy café. We can just show them our cups, and they'll think we already have drinks!"

Lata couldn't help but laugh, her worries momentarily forgotten.

Embarking on their impromptu comedy show, Lata countered with a joke of her own. "Rajesh, although we don't have homes, but have you heard what one wall always have to say to another?"

Rajesh, leaning in with interest, shook his head. "What will wall even say anything?"

With a mischievous grin, Lata continued, "Well, one day, irritated with another wall it replied in fit of rage 'I'll see you in the corner.' "

Rajesh couldn't help but burst into laughter, slapping his thigh and attracting the attention of passersby. People stopped for a moment, bemused by the joyful exchange between these two seemingly despondent souls.

Feeling emboldened by their newfound comic camaraderie, Rajesh continued,

"Once I visited a marriage and it was glamorous with full richness flowing in corner. Well, a man stopped me and do you know what he said?"

With the notion of an unknown incident, she shrugs off.

"The destruction has already been made and now what are you begging for!"

Lata's laughter echoed through the bustling streets as she imagined the bewildered expressions on the face of groom and his father. Passersby, witnessing this delightful spectacle, couldn't resist but toss a few coins their way, their hearts touched by the genuine laughter they had inspired.

And so, Rajesh and Lata continued their banter, sharing jokes and stories, weaving moments of levity amidst the harsh realities of their lives. Their laughter became infectious, spreading like wildfire, not only lifting their own spirits but also brightening the day of those around them.

In that serendipitous meeting on the streets of Mumbai, two souls found solace in each other's company, reminding themselves and everyone they encountered that even in the depths of despair, laughter could bridge the gaps and make the burdens of life a little lighter.

THE END.

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