A Kind Act

It is true to a greater extend that people react different to situations. That is not what I actually meant, - it is how every individual act to a particular situation. I know it is wrong imposing my thoughts on anyone, but this one will win an exclusion- I swear after you read it.

After office hours, I rushed to the bus stop down stairs. I could see the bus approaching when I was struggling to get out of the double door exit. This was the last Express bus to my place for the day and hence my last straw to cling to. As the name suggests, it is really an express – takes some 8 odd minutes to my apartments. I had the bus pass with me and went near the counter to swipe it for the ride. Guess what!.. I see it declined. Tried the same exercise of pushing the ticket again and again, but in vein. The bus has already started moving, almost touching the freeway and was impossible to get off the vehicle. I asked him (the driver) how much it cost for the a single ride. He told me some 2.40$. And now where is the money coming from?? I know I carry less cash with me, and whatever I have is usually spend in the vending machines. I told him, “Give me little time, I will get you the money”. The driver gave me a pale look and nodded.

I moved to the very next seat and started frantically looking for the money. I realized for the 100th time that the pouches in my bag are really messed up. It had all those useful and petty. Bills, my wallet, the iPod, some 10 pens – of which most never worked, house keys, lip gloss, sanitizer and all possible crap. I would have appeared a lunatic to the crowd, desperately looking out for the coins. I knew that a considerable part of the audience were those Indian people who get down at my same stop. Even saw familiar faces, but to whom I have not spoken much. At last I could find out a 20$ note from my wallet. I knew there is no other way left out, but to sacrifice the piece of money than undergo any more embarrassment. Suddenly that 20$ seemed to be a big money for me, and it poked my guilt for not keeping the change.

I got up from the seat and was moving towards the counter – heard someone call me from behind. An old lady, she was an American who was seated near to mine. She was a silent spectator to all the chaos I have created. She called me back and asked me not to give the money I had for the ticket. In place she gave me her bus pass, and asked me to swipe it. More than being reactive, I was puzzled. I was not sure what to do as this was the most unexpected one. I kindly refused, and she told me “Kid there are lot of things you can use your money for, but this bus ticket is not worth it”. I went to swipe the pass and the bus driver gave me grumpy look for taking all the time. I returned the pass and thanked her. I knew it was much more than what I told her, she saved me from the huge embarrassment I could have suffered. I looked around and could see lots of heads slip down in shame, for being insensitive and inhuman. I knew I would have helped out anyone in such a situation. Was really happy to meet this person – her name was Stacy, and was so impressed by what she did. The little time I spend in the bus, we spoke about work and our families. My stop reached and waved bye to her as I got down.

Walking back home, I was just thinking about the whole incident. It was sad to find that people really look forward for a reason to help each other. If you have no business with that person who is in trouble, you make yourself invisible. In spite of all that happened, I felt light meeting a good person. This reminded me the whole world has not yet turned bad.