#3353

Its been a while for me to scribble in this place. So thought might as well take a 180 degree turn from my topic and write a true story that i witnessed today morning. As like usual days, I take auto-rickshaw from my place to office,big thanks to my laziness and not to blame my company to keep flexi timings.

The daily fare from my home to office is some 70 odd figure. But to my notice I always end up paying more. Few days back, I paid some 20 bucks extra for the faulty meter that guy had or it was expected there.

What i witnessed today I wanted to let this out and basically ask some questions to you. Today, as always, i was late by 5 mins. A usual walk from my house to Omega Health care to board an auto from there.


[Omega Health Care]
Me :Outer Ring Road
Auto Rickshaw1 : 1.5 meter
Me: I commute daily and i pay on meter
Auto Rickshaw1: No, 1.5 final


[Moved to the next auto behind, the auto rickshaw driver looked a aged man and i asked him the same question.To my surprise, he agreed on first go... good from me till now].

[Near Junction 100 m away]
Driver: Sir, Pay me 20 rupees extra
Me: You are suppose to mention this to me right before I board it.
Driver: Sir, I understand, but there are problems in my family
Me (sternly): Everyone has problems. Everyone goes through the problems.

Driver: My Daughter is Ill.

I kept quite. He continued.

Driver: There is something to do with liver I guess. I am in such a condition right now that i dont even have 300 Rupees.

[I remembered as everyday i ended up paying more, I can manage this time as well and agreed to pay him 20 more.I opened my bag, reached for my music player to relax over the morning with some good music. ]

[At Old Airport's crossing - 6 Km from my destination]

[The Rickshaw guy looked back]
Driver: Sir, I was hired as a Driver in a family. It seems every bad things happen to me only.

[A thought rushed through my mind. This statement was not so strange to me after all.]

Driver(cont.): Today morning, I thought i could ask them for help. but to my surprise they have left for Delhi this morning. His Mother had a heart attack. Bad Times come to me only.
Sir please help me.

[I felt a bit uncomfortable as i have already been through this situation once and ended up loosing more than gaining, and trust was a major issue. Confused me as always.]

Me: I think everything will take its time to mend. Have Faith in god. He's there to help you.


[*The Turnaround (Again) ...4 Km from the destination]

Driver: Its just the matter of 300 Rupees. Sir, Please see if you could help.

[This time when he looked back he was broken. A tear had dropped off his eyes and..]
Driver(cont.): I gave all my strength to my wife at home and... i am 67 years old, i wish i could do something more... but now i dont have enough strength.

[Turned back]

[I had time to think. I had already done a mistake of helping a stranger. Should i give it another shot or should i stick to my experience and forget all this that ever existed.]

[Confused me took out my wallet and check the money that i had. Since its almost end of month and mostly, No saving I took out 174 Rupees]

Me: This is 174 Rupees. This is maximum i can do right now.
[By saying this i handed him the money 2 Km before the destination.]
Me(cont.): What's the name of your daughter?
Driver(Immidiate Answer): Razia, Razia Sultan. With love, we call her Razu.

[I felt good hearing her name. :)]

[At Destinaiton, I got out of the rickshaw and told him].

Me: Don't weak out. Have faith in god.
[He said 'thank you' in normal Indian tradition of 'Namaste'].

By saying this... I walked to my office...

His autorickshaw number was 3353. Which i could never forget.

------- End of Story---------

There are few questions which I want to ask you.
Question1: Was I right?
Question2: What would you have done?
Question3: What would have confused you?
Question4: Do you think this was true?
Question5: If your answer is yes, What would have been the ultimate barrier to cross?

Thanks for looking into it,
Piyush