The market was drenched in aftermath of rain, slowly struggling to come back to its normal pace. I noticed her while she was busy arguing over a tiny space; vehemently claiming it to be hers with another hawker. I see her many a times and have always found her to be most quiet and dignified unlike many pesky hawkers around and that is why listening to her loud voice was a shocker for me. She earns her living by selling hair clips and other accessories at the market that I usually pass by during my evening walks.
We both have followed an unwritten pact of silently acknowledging each other's existence through exchanging glances and smiles that sometimes extend to waving too. Albeit, we have never exchanged a single word! And it has worked well so far. She has very expressive eyes and my heart breaks when I see a hint of sadness beneath her smile.
All this while, I have refrained from making an effort to strike a conversation as she comes across as very private person. But yesterday it was different! Her usual smiling face was sullen and she looked vapid. Something within me snapped and I decided to check with her.
Bit embarrassed by knowing that I had witnessed her scuffle, it took her a while to tell me that her child was starving and due to some personal issues, she had not been able to work for few days. I passed her some money and asked her to buy herself and her child a proper meal. While she was very hesitant, I could feel her struggle in accepting the help. I quickly left from there hurrying up my speed to complete the walk on time. I must have walked for about fifteen minutes when I heard a shrill voice following me, "Madam, wait"!
There she was, rushing frantically towards me, waving ten rupee note.
"Please take your money Madam." She said, panting.
"What money?" I asked surprised.
"The rice plate costs 45 rupees. I need two. There would be still ten rupees left from the money you gave me for food. Here is your ten rupees madam."
"You ran all this way like crazy to return this ten rupee note?!! Keep it with you. It does not matter." I said.
"It does matter to me, Madam." She said firmly.
In that moment I saw a glint of pride and utmost gratitude in her eyes.
As we looked into each others' moist eyes with new found respect, we struck a beautiful connection. Suddenly her harsh face softened with a lovely, genuine smile. I took that crumpled ten rupee note and walked away with great contentment feeling very proud of her. We both parted; she, with her pride intact and me, with my faith in humanity.
There are some bonds for which we are indebted to many people in some indefinable way and no matter how short these bonds might last, they teach us great lessons of life.
There she was, rushing frantically towards me, waving ten rupee note.
"Please take your money Madam." She said, panting.
"What money?" I asked surprised.
"The rice plate costs 45 rupees. I need two. There would be still ten rupees left from the money you gave me for food. Here is your ten rupees madam."
"You ran all this way like crazy to return this ten rupee note?!! Keep it with you. It does not matter." I said.
"It does matter to me, Madam." She said firmly.
In that moment I saw a glint of pride and utmost gratitude in her eyes.
As we looked into each others' moist eyes with new found respect, we struck a beautiful connection. Suddenly her harsh face softened with a lovely, genuine smile. I took that crumpled ten rupee note and walked away with great contentment feeling very proud of her. We both parted; she, with her pride intact and me, with my faith in humanity.
There are some bonds for which we are indebted to many people in some indefinable way and no matter how short these bonds might last, they teach us great lessons of life.
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