An angel in disguise

I was lost in thoughts when suddenly someone shook my hands, in the bus stop.

 

It was a little girl. Definitely not more than 8 yrs old.

 

Dark complexion. Brown eyes. She was wearing a white turned mild brown (due to dust and dirt) shirt.  And a completely mismatching pink long skirt.

 

The Shirt & the skirt had one common feature – both were torn at many places. Her hair was wild, rough and all over the place. It looked as if, her hair has not been combed or applied oil for ages.

 

Shaking my hands she said – “Give me some money, akka” (Akka means– Sister)

 

I asked -  “Ok. If I give you money, what will you do with that?”

 

She didn’t expect that question. She hesitated. “Hmmmm….”.

 

She took few more seconds to respond. “I will do something…”- She responded in a very innocent tone.

 

I said – “Do something good. Ok?”

 

She gave a side glance to another little boy (who looked like her big brother) who stood few meters away from us.

 

Then she said in a serious tone “But, I will not give it to him!”

 

I said “ I don’t know why you will not give it to him. But, it is up to you!”

 

And I handed over a 20 rupees note to her.

 

Her eyes widened. I saw a flash of smile. Few teethes were missing. But, it was a beautiful smile. And suddenly her face was glowing.

 

She swiftly took the money from my hand. Walked towards her brother. Like a ramp walk! J

She showed that money to him in a “Rajini” style.

She giggled. She jumped. She danced.

 

I couldn’t stop my smile seeing her joy. I was very curious to see, what is she up to. So, I kept watching her.

 

Then, she turned like a stylish model and walked towards the small grocery shop next to her (continuing her ramp walk style!)

 

After entering the small shop, she offered her recently acquired “asset” to the shop keeper and “ordered” -

 

“…..GIVE ME ONE PEPSI”

 

Pepsi???!!!! Wow! – I was pleasantly surprised.

 

Her dramatics didn’t stop there. She took the bottle from the shop and came back and sat near her brother.

 

May be she felt, that sitting posture was not dramatic enough. She changed it. She sat cross-legged and looked as if she was about negotiate a deal with Barack Obama. (Reminded me of “Rajini” in “Padayappa” (tamil) movie's super popular scene!)

 

And gulped that Pepsi at one go! Her brother gave her a “I don’t care. Are you nuts?” look.

 

But, she was in her own world. It was just her and her Pepsi. Nothing else in between!

 

That day, I realized the real meaning of the phrase - “made my day”.

 

Yeah! She made my day!

 

 

 

 

 

An Unfulfilled Wish

Year – 2003

Time – 1.30 PM

Day - Saturday

 

Scene 1

 

I was on my way from Bangalore to my native place in a Government bus. It’s a 8 hours journey.

This was my second trip to my native place after joining the first job in my career, 3 months back.
 

As the bus started moving out of the city, passengers settled in – reading, listening to music, talking (shouting), sleeping, gazing out….

 

I was watching the passing streets, people, shops, trees…and listening to some Tamil songs in my antique Walkman.
 

There was an old woman sitting a few seats before mine. Just behind the driver’s seat. She was sitting there facing the bus door. So, I could see her face.

 

I looked at her. She might have been in her 70’s. Even in 80’s. Her shoulders were humped….as a proof of years of hard work. She had beautiful wrinkles...as a proof of years of survival.

I went on looking at her. Not sure…what thoughts were running in my mind. But, I was intrigued. May be, because of her eyes? Her wrinkles? - I still don’t know.
 

To my shock, she started vomiting suddenly…And she spewed out blood.
 

For few seconds, I was petrified. As soon as I came to my senses, I checked for water and realized my water bottle was empty.

 

I got up from the seat and turned to the passenger’s side. Could see all their eyes trapped on the old lady. But, it looked as if they were all watching a show. No one got up. No one came forward.
 

I raised my voice – “Has any one got a bottle of water ?”
 

1 couple gave me their half-filled bottle. No one came forward, though I could see many people with bottles of water.
 

I went near this old lady and started stroking her back. When she stopped vomiting, she emptied that water bottle in an urge like a baby drinking mother’s milk.
 

She told the bus conductor (helper) “I will get down in next bus stand. I don’t have any one and I don’t have anything”
 

I didn’t know what to do next.
 

We reached the next bus stop in 5 minutes.
 

Driver and I helped her to get down.
 

I came back to my seat. Checked my purse – I had 100 rupees. I took 75 rupees and got down and gave it to her. She blessed me…I saw a few drops of tears in her eyes.
 

I got in to the bus and bus moved on. My thoughts were still with her.
 

 

Scene 2

 

After the next few stops, the bus stopped near a roadside tea/coffee shop for a short break.
 

The couple who gave me the water bottle came to me. The Husband spoke - “ We were shocked when a girl like you just got up and asked for water to help that lady. I never knew, girls like you who look like Jyothika (a female actor in South Indian movies) will come forward for such things. I am still not able to believe.”
 

Another passenger came and offered me a cup of tea – “Amma (Me??? AMMA??), We need people like you. Take this tea from me, please”
 

2 samosas were offered to me by another passenger as an “award” for my act!
 

By the end of that coffee break, I was bestowed a title by the passengers - “AMMA”!

 

 

How I wish, that old amma had received all this attention, love and help!