Always On!

Boarding the bus after a long wait, I moved to a place where I could comfortably stand, without disturbing others. You know that my slender frame doesn't require much space. Don't you? I was all eyes whenever the bus stopped, to spot and occupy a vacant seat within my reach. Well, I can stand a few things for days, but my knees begged for a break after 10 minutes. So when it happened, I was so happy and my happiness doubled when both passengers in a seat stood up. The person who stood before me and was looking elsewhere, suddenly sprang up and occupied the window seat. Grimacing, I followed, only to turn grey as he waved his hand frantically to someone else, who must have been behind me. I turned to see a lady, who must have been his wife, coming as fast as she could. I moved far and could only watch as they settled. I made up, giving a generous pose as though I gave my seat to them, but they didn't seem to recognize that simple fact. Well, this is not an uncommon thing. And it could even be yours truly on another day. In buses, trains and all public transports [even in share rides], that is the case. And in case of reserved seats, people behavior is generally of one kind. "Its my right and I don't care about others! I will occupy as much as possible and that means I can extend on both sides if required if you guys turn up late!". Be it in flight or bus or train, this is the case. I once remember being sandwiched in the aisle seat of a train, where my companions were vying for more space from both sides.

The basic concern for others has long since dissipated in many and in some cases, never existed in the first place. And people are ready to pick up a fight as though in cue, and use their specially acquired words lavishly, if they feel that the opponent is afraid, refined or frail when compared to them. Sometimes I move away and at times I pity them too, as I too am no different in a few cases. Only that I am smart enough to choose my opponent so I cannot be refuted. But then, there are days when you are pleasantly surprised too. I have a lot of those experiences too and just want to mention one. I was happily occupied in a seat during a journey in a crowded bus. An old man with a bulky frame and a slight limp, boarded the bus and was finally holding to the central rod for support. I was about 3 seats from where he stood and thought of offering my seat. The person who stood close to me was literally leaning on me so if I get up, he would instantly fall in to my seat. Collecting my courage, I asked him if we can allow the old man to take my seat. He smiled and nodded. I called the old man and asked him to take my seat. He had that big smile which he had hitherto hid well and said, "No problem! I will stand!" with a beaming face. Both of us laughed and I got up thinking that I should now oblige to the man next. He asked me where I was about to get down and said, "Its four stops from here! Don't get up now!", leaving me in debt.

In another occasion, I was late [as usual] to work and half walked and half ran from the nearest bus stop to my office. It normally took about 12 minutes and I had the habit of setting up a timer in my phone to beat that mark. At times I get delayed because of traffic in the road where I had to cross, as so may people commute in cars and two-wheelers at the same time. used to move ahead of that tall, odd looking man on a few occasions. He wore some kind of a uniform - a weathered white shirt with an orange jacket [like that of a fire warden] which was stitched in many places and a terrible dirty blue hued pant which was torn below the ankles. He was dark and seemed to be just out of a construction site after a hard day and was visibly dirty. To add more, he had a long hair and a crudely trimmed goatie, both of which showed many hues of colors. I looked up at him once and moved away. The other day, when the traffic was worse in that road, when everybody tried being the first to move, including me, I saw him again.

There are two things in him that I noticed apart from what I said earlier - he was taller than me by 5 or more inches and he had that body language of a mild mannered person who deserved respect. He was exhibiting that when he stood in the middle and started to regulate the traffic. Soon a traffic cop came and he moved away to the other side where my office was. I tried catching up with him, but he was fast and soon moved away. I was more interested and wanted to have a chat with him. It was a on a hot day last month when I spotted him again. This time, I already crossed the road and was rushing to work like a rhino cub having spotted its mom. I stopped when I saw him feeding water to a stray dog. He was leaning towards it and holding a plastic bottle, pouring it very slowly so it could drink straight from it. I watched that wondering whether I would ever do that at all. He looked at me and smiled as the dog left. I smiled too and moved past him. Someday I would speak to him, over a cup of tea, I hope, but he wouldn't mind even if I don't.

There are many occasions when I have been the recipient of a kind gesture from people who are close and from unknown people too and a select few times when I had been kinder too. But I still had that habit of getting disappointed when my gestures weren't reciprocated, conveniently forgetting that I might not have been acknowledging such good things from others too. But seeing someone doing it, without expecting a favor back makes me warm. I just started reciting what little I knew of a sloka and was moved again by the meaning of it, not just praising the lord, but praying for the betterment of everyone and everything. All such things bring me a hope that no matter what we feel, this world is still a better place, as there are countless people who care for others in the best possible way they could. They may not be rich or highly educated or considered knowledgeable yet, do what they can!

A salute to such people whom we may see, may not meet yet feel closer!

 

Thanks for liking and nominating this post quick and for opening the feedback account @kkrish. I do remember the wonderful post that tamil writer Sujatha wrote about his father. Sujatha felt so moved by what all his father did and was trying to repay in what little way he could, but was left even more guilty. His father understood and simply said, "What I did for you, you do for your kids. That's enough dear!".
You might have read the memoir that Sujatha wrote after his father passed away. If not, here is the link to an abridged version: அப்பா அன்புள்ள அப்பா

Some of us fight against the tide and come up while for some, its like the gentle wave that takes you from one phase to another in life. No matter how we reach a state, it would not have been possible without the help of others in many ways. Very few are lucky enough to acknowledge and return the favor in kind. I am moved by your honest admission as well. Thanks. -rgs

Coming to your

 

Thanks a lot @stayblessed [such a unique and lovely user name] for your like and for nominating this post. These are times when others' faults are magnified and publicized, as @kkrish mentioned. We have a choice of course to see and highlight the good things that we see around us. We may not be that good, but thats the state of us today. Perhaps we may change and change for good. -rgs

 

Thanks @Mistt, for your like and feedback. One thing that I learnt is not to ignore anyone or take them for granted [may not apply to dear ones, I must admit]. It always makes you lighter to see love being showered, and you may not have to be a recipient. You realize that whatever you are doesn't matter when it comes to sharing love. One is not even offended when getting nothing in return. -rgs

 

We all are attired in shades of grey, I agree @HariLakhera. Thanks for your nice feedback. And as you rightly said, life is a mixture of all things good and bad and its left to the individual to extract the best out of his / her experiences. I have been a recipient many times and did my little bit too when I could. But we all are united by an invisible chain called love, which works in mysterious ways at times. -rgs