Dear Old Man

Dear Old Man,

Torn faded clothes, full of mud and dust

If I saw you elsewhere, I may have looked away in disgust

But that day I needed you

You were my last hope

For a second I resisted

I didn’t even look at you directly

You did all the talking, and

Didn’t even try to bargain

I was ready with my speech

But I suddenly realised

There is no need

You agreed for the bare minimum

Just then I noticed the smile

Red, white and yellow

But still so honest and warm

Not for a second,

I could look away

Where did the ugliness go?

I didn’t know

Just then I noticed your voice

Oh so mellow and full of wise

The warmth filled my core

And made me glow

I forgot the suffering

And went with the flow

You did your job

Job that needed no talking

Work that needed no personal touch

I extended the money, but

You folded your hands and refused to take it

That second you were richer, than

the richest person on earth

You came forward

Extending your hand towards my head

A gesture to pass on blessings

I nodded with tears in my eyes

I didn’t know why I cried

Only thing I knew was

Just then I was the richest person on earth

Just then I had met my angel

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I was 9 months pregnant and was supposed to travel to my parents’ place. I was heavy and due to various reasons I could barely walk. We reached the station late and at the last moment our train had changed tracks. We were to cross over to the other side of the station, through a foot over bridge but it was impossible for me to do so. The only other way was to cross over through the tracks at the back but the distance was too long for me to walk. We needed a wheel chair. It was late in the night and there was no one around to help us find a wheel chair. Suddenly an old man appeared with a wheel chair who agreed to help us. We discussed the money and he readily agreed to what we offered. I agreed to go with him alone through the other side, since my husband had to carry the entire luggage; we decided he would cross over through the bridge.  It has been almost 6 years but I still remember his face. I was scared of him initially. But within a few seconds he started talking and I was at ease completely. We crossed the track and I didn’t even realise. I said thank you to him and took out the money to give him. Not only did he refuse to take the money but he also extended his hands and with a very gentle voice blessed me. Even before I could say anything, he left. After a few months, my husband went back to the station to look for him. He wanted to pay him his dues. But no one had heard of him or seen him there ever. It was like he never existed. Many may not believe me (like my husband) but I know he was my angel. He was my Govind.

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I am participating in the 30 Days Letter Challenge where you write one letter each day. The 6th in the list is a letter to "A Stranger"