STRANGERS...

I was coming home in a pensive mood. The bus was crowded and I ended up getting a seat next to an old gentleman and to my relief he seemed to be lost in his thoughts too... All I wanted was to avoid the usual ‘stranger exchange’. But as old habits die hard he did start the conversation that I am never going to regret.

After the usual “Hello kiddo! Coming back from college?” stuff and after me clarifying for the umpteenth time in my life ‘No sir, I am working’, he said.. “I’d like to give you something, n I can only hope that you’ll take it home”. I was suddenly taken back; coz mom had always taught me never to accept anything from strangers and before I could think any further he handed me a green colour pamphlet! “A pamphlet!” I thought, “Is he now going to talk to me about some organisation or some product or some offer?” Noooooo, that was the last thing I wanted at that point of time. He sort of seemed to read my mind and said, “This is something I wrote and I just want to share it, so go on n read it.”

Having been left with no choice, I started reading it. I was dumbfounded! What lay in front of me was a collection of small poems and titbits about issues that have crippled our country! At the very end I found the name of the foundation. I was really uncomfortable to face this guy. I had been soo paranoiac about him throughout! Finally garnering some courage, I asked him,”So how many people work for your foundation?” n he replied, “Oh! It’s a one man army!!!”

Felt like I met John Rambo in real! What amazed me the most was how zealous this man was at this point of his life! I dont think i can ever be like that...