An old Story !

Was studying in Delhi University that time and was was staying with my friend in a rented apartment in Kingsway Camp in the university area.

It was a winter night when our landlord summoned me and told me with a apparent heavy voice that he was selling the flat and the new owner would be moving in the flat so we need to vacate that flat in a week’s time.

The apartment was a great deal for us with a comfortable rent and in close proximity to our college in DU. No interference of landlord as he stayed in the next building and an open space for us.

I was worried instantly, my flatmate was away to his home town for his sister’s marriage and after discussing with him on phone, it was decided that I would immediately start looking for an alternate place.

In late 90s / early 2000s it was never easy to get a good / spacious / comfortable / low rent flat near DU area. I started the flat hunt in the right earnest but without any headway for 3 days. Was getting worrier as the days passed and the deadline of the week drew close.

4th day - I was going to south Delhi to meet my cousin who was to go to Patna, the next day and I was to send some clothes that I had bought for my little sister.

I reached ISBT ( The Bus Terminus) from where I would have changed the bus to go to my cousin’s place. The ISBT in those days was always crowded. I was waiting for my bus when I saw an old lady in good enough attire for a well to do family going around and talking to people to which there was no much response as I could sense it.

I waited for some time before approaching her, when I did she smiled and told me that she wanted to go to Rohini to her daughter’s place but don’t know which bus to take and also it was her first ride alone on the bus. Lots of questions flashed in my mind raising doubts on the genuineness of her story !! But then I thought what does she wants ? She was only wanting to get to the right bus and the bus conductor be told to drop her at the right stop

Why the other people were not responding ? Because there was no bus immediately that time and she wanted someone to actually stay with her and make her take the right bus and confirm with the conductor about the stop.

I don’t know why but I immediately decided to do this for her, felt a rush of emotions about how an old lady is feeling helpless in a sea of humans around her for a small little thing.

I missed my bus and waived her off as she went off in her bus after 30 minutes or so doing all the needed conversation with the bus conductor and also requesting two other co passengers to help her get down at the right stop.

I still remember her face smiling, moist eyes and both hands in a blessing stance looking affectionately from the window seat

I returned back at around 9 in the night to my flat to find my landlord wanting me to speak to his friend in Hudson Lines who was looking for students to rent out his flat. My landlord already had a word with him for us. And he had kindly agreed on the same rent.

Few days hence I shifted to our new rented flat with our belongings !

Blessings from that Bus Stop granny !! Instant Karma?

I would like to believe so !!