One SUMMER tale!

Waiting for the clock to hit 12:30 PM, I packed my bags to leave. Getting half-day leave approval when your team needs you the most is not less than an achievement!!.  Looking at my phone, “ Your ride is on the way” I rushed towards the lift. Suddenly I felt a few people around staring at me. Realizing I walked on the wet floor with neat footmarks behind, I pretended to walk sideways with an apologetic smile. Tapping my right foot, I stood there waiting for the lift and of course, thinking I should have taken stairs!

The moment the lift door opened, I heard my manager calling my name. I cursed him mentally!.  By the time I responded to him and turned, the lift had already reached the ground floor. As expected, I received a call from an auto driver informing me that he has reached the location!. I ran towards the gate in one go, I sat inside catching my breath.

The driver asked me for an OTP  with a smile. He was quite an old man in his early 50’s with a traditional white cap indicating he is from a Muslim community. His brown unbuttoned shirt over the T-shirt was drenched in sweat indicating his hard work. The bright sunlight hit us along with the hot wind and dust. We got a long signal to cross in a half lane road as it was shared with namma metro work!. I observed from the mirror that he was blabbering something!

I took out my earphones and heard he was complaining about the traffic. I responded to him agreeing with what he was saying!

I observed he was restlessly checking his phone and talking to himself. 

I started the conversation again that “even at this time (afternoon) there is so much traffic.”

He said yes, I wanted to reach home soon and cook. I am already late.

I was surprised and curious to know more!

The clock struck 1, We heard azaan from the nearby masjid. He prayed with both the hands open in the air and closed eyes.

We both were quiet for a while. The curious ‘me’ wanted to know more!. I asked him jokingly, did you pray for the Bangalore traffic?

He said, no madam, I was asking dua for my daughter, she has gone for an interview today. I am waiting for her call. I want to cook for her. If she gets selected or rejected, the food I cook will make her happy.

I had a smile on my face.

I asked him how old is she?

He said. She has just passed B.com from an evening college. In the morning she works in a small saree shop. I was amazed by the way he was telling about his daughter. His voice was filled with pride.

He continued telling about his daughter that she is a very brave, intelligent, and a great cook. Her mother passed away a few months back and how she handled home.

He excitedly said “ she even speaks speed English”

I felt happy for his own little world!. I was thinking how fathers adore their daughters.

I remembered the days when my pappa used to brag about me in front of others for mugging up a 6 line poem when I was 4. (He still does it).

How he is always the ‘excited one’ to celebrate my journey!

I got lost in my thoughts,

The way he always reminds me how beautiful l am,

The way he enjoys whatever or however I cook,

The way he listens to me whatever I blabbered

The way he reacts to all the frustrations I show on him!

The way he identifies the sadness behind my smile.

The way he was jealous of my husband when I said “pappa he is same like you and he takes care of me like how you do!”

My thoughts got interrupted by a loud ringtone. Yes, it was her call. He said “madam one minute” and slowly took an auto to the left and stopped.

Even I was excited to know!

He said inshaallah, aise hi tarakki karo beta and cut the call. He felt relieved. He took a long breathe. He stared his phone for few seconds. He saw my face through mirror and said,

 “Usko naukri mil gayi”.

We both celebrated her first step of success.

Yes. She got the job as a junior accountant! He almost had tears while telling me!

My home was few meters away. He sweetly apologized for stopping the auto to take call and drove towards the destination. He said madam “I had never been happier than this. She has so many dreams to fulfill. I just want her to be happy.”

“I will cook kheer for her.”

I conveyed my wishes and I pointed towards my building. “I stay there If she needs any kind of support tell her to reach me”.

I got down with a wide smile on my face.

Gone are the days when fathers worried only about daughter’s marriage. They enjoy their happiness and every little step towards their goal.

The 20 mins ride made my day.

I was with a proud, hardworking and supportive father!

Have you ever got indulge in stranger’s world like this? Comment below!