I had the longing to scribble this down long since it happened. But, somehow could not. Last few days, have been feeling at fault for not penning this down.

A month back, I was returning home by my office bus. It was 7PM. I got down at the bus stop near my house. I was trapped in the best of Bangalore traffic - colossal buses, humongous trucks, flood of cars and bikes and all other the vehicles of the world. As I hasted on the road, I was in my own head trip about what all I need to do when I land home.
Then….I saw him….a drooping old man, with his round shoulders almost hanging down. He must have been somewhere in his 80s. He was aiming to do something which looked unachievable for him….cross the road at that choking hour.

At first, I think I was neutral. For once I thought “Someone would come and help him in sometime, I have to rush home.” However, I could not remain stoic for long. Call it upbringing, education, individual perspective or something else…. “What if no one came to his help?” Some voice from inside said “Ok….I have to go home, but, this will take only 5 minutes.”

So, I went to him and supported him as he crossed the road. It took precisely 3 minutes. He smiled once we were on the other side. And then we both went our own ways.

He could not see properly and he spoke some incoherent feeble words, but I could sense his blessings.

I don’t think I did anything I could be proud off….and this is not an achievement I want to share with the world.
I narrate this because, somehow that old man’s face comes to my mind now and then. And with that come many questions. Why was he there? Why could no one help him? Where were his near and dear ones? Why had they left him alone?

And......

Will each of us be at his place some or the other day?