Where there’s a wheel, there’s a pizza!

“However, there is one aspect of my job that does require some careful dealing – interacting with the customers. You have to be polite, and eat humble pie when the delivery is late, explaining to them the reasons for the delay,” he explains.

But normally things do not get out of hand, for “as a rule, people are not rude. I have not had a bad experience with the customers. Of course, there have been stray incidents when the order has been cancelled, but the company handles that.”

While every day is busy for Pawar and others of his ilk, the weekend is just too hectic. “On an average, I have about 15 deliveries to make on each week day and the weekend can get as many as 20 deliveries per day. If the order time coincides with another and both places are in the same area, we can pack the two deliveries together. Of course, the one who books earlier gets his delivery first. Otherwise, it’s from the store to the house and back to the store to another house, a two-hour lunch break and back on the job!” At the joint he works for, home delivery orders are taken only after noon, and the day for Pawar winds up quite late – around midnight.

“Through the day, it’s mostly office orders that we have to cater to, especially during lunch time. In the evenings, it’s mostly deliveries to people’s homes, and often parties too.” And has party time often led to a rowdy time, more so when it’s a late night bash? “At times yes, but mostly no,” pat comes Pawar’s diplomatic answer! “But the tips come in pretty freely,” he admits.

Though it does mean physical strain for himself, Pawar is all praise for this home delivery system. “It’s really convenient for many people. After a hard day’s work, it’s nice to be able to just pick up the phone and order some food.” So what if it entails trudging around to all corners of town in all kinds of weather for the delivery man. “I don’t have to worry, I am provided with a two-wheeler, and the right gear for the particular season – raincoat, winter clothes, sun cap.” So even if it is from Aundh to Kondhwa to Bhosari, it’s all okay. Life for Vinod Pawar is one jolly two-wheeler ride, and he loves the wind in his hair!