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!