Lasting Impressions - Often in life you meet someone who leaves behind a lasting impression for whatever reason - small or big, good or bad... more on lasting impressions...
Like most students in Grade Twelve, I had taken up tuitions for every conceivable major subject to better my marks. My favorite was Physics, the teachers in school & tuitions both were good, I had a knack for the subject and I always got the marks! (I scored 96 marks in theory and 42 in practical. That 42 was my least score ever in any exam, mind you!) Anyway, so the tuitions was quite a distance from my house and I rode my sis' trusted Luna. (For those who don't know what a Luna is , its a cycle garbed in a moped look). I never had a license (shhhh....). I recently did get one finally after 13 years!
My tuitions were at 6:00 p.m. and it was the same time some factory workers got done with their work. So as I was driving my Luna and these laborers were getting off on their cycles. They were on the wrong side but they were in a crowd. I barged into one worker and he fell, as did I. It was his fault as they were on the wrong side and he had suddenly appeared in front of me, but the workers saw this as a chance to pester me for money. I hate it when they do that!
I was all alone and every single of these workers was shouting at me to give money to the one who got hurt. I am pretty sure that guy was acting more hurt than he actually was. He didn't even get up from the road, was just lying there. I had more blood on me and these people were threatening. I was so scared. I was 16. I had no money on me. Stupid, I know, but yeah, I didn't think I would need any kind of money. Naivety!
Suddenly a guy appeared from somewhere in the crowd. He seemed to be well-educated. He looked like a cross between Bobby Deol in Gupt and Aamir Khan in Mela, with curly hair and fine features. He came and fought with all those workers.
Stranger: Akeli ladki ko kyun dara rahe hain aap log. Dekh nahi rahe kitna ghabrayi huyi hai. Aur vaise bhi galti uski nahi, inki hai.
Then he turned to me and said:
Stranger: Ma'am, aap jayiye yahan se. Main sambhal loonga.
I was in such a state of shock, I just picked up my books and my Luna and started walking off. My Luna had suffered severe damage and the tire had twisted. I had to drag it away. I didn't go to my Tuitions. I went to a friend's house nearby. And there I broke down. I dunno why. I guess I was scared of what could have happened and didn't. My friend's mom and sister tried to console me and my friend went to check the place of the accident to fight for me with these people. Ofcourse there was no one there, not the injured guy, nor the angry mob and neither my knight in shining armor. I was grateful to my friend for trying to help me although it would not have made a difference. Lovely, thanks - you are truly, lovely!
And as for you, my good Samaritan - I often think of you. For long I used to think, you are the most benevolent guy in the world and with such a charming face. Any time I traveled that road for a year, I used to look around to catch a glimpse of you. But I never did see you again.
However, if wishes could ride on the wind and carry to you; here's mine to you - You will never ever know how much it meant to me you being there when I needed a friend, though you were... are a stranger. You made me believe in the goodness of people, and may it return to you hundred fold.. coz you truly deserve it! Thank you!
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