It was 7 'o' clock in the evening. I was getting late for my 8.30 night shifts. In the normal hours, it takes 40 minutes from home to my office. But thanks to these peak hours, I was going to be late by at least fifteen minutes. I wished God to be with me and helping me in landing a much needed job. I went downstairs from my apartment which is on the fifth floor. I wondered why going downstairs is so much easier than going upwards. I took a rickshaw from the footpath. I asked rickshaw puller the fair for 'Paschim Vihar East' metro station. He demanded 20 bucks.
"Why do I have to fight everyday? why cant you just say 15 bucks which is the fixed fair? But then again, nobody fixed this price, so I can't blame you, right?" I showed my anger.
After a 5 minutes of argument, he agreed to go for 15 bucks. I was glad I won. I love this 5 minutes journey from home to metro station. The road, the people and the ambience. It feels so divine and lively. People coming from offices, students from colleges. Happiness on their faces because they spent another long tiresome day and they would be with their family again.
In the middle of the way, rickshaw puller took a stop and handed 60 bucks to a man who looked like a bully. Out of curiosity, I asked who the man was.
Rickshaw puller said - 'Arre saheb, This is just a normal routine. I have rented this rickshaw from that man. 60 rupees is the price I've to pay for a day.'
'60 bucks? That's huge. How much do you make a day?' I was now more eager.
'It depends. On an average, I make 250-280 rupees. But life is so tough sometimes, I only earn 70-80 rupees. But these malik log don't bother with our condition. Every evening at 7 'o' clock, one has to hand over the rent. Like today, I have earned about 200 rupees only. My wife told me to come early today. She has to go to doctor for her weekly pregnancy check. But I didn't earn enough to pay Doctor's fees. This is why I argued so much for 20 bucks with you. Accha nahi lagta aise behas karna par pet ke liye sab karna padta hai, saheb.'
By now, I was out of words. I wish I could have said something that might be any help to that rickshaw puller. But there weren't any words to show my sympathy, they would not have been any help anyways. I reached to metro station and gave him 20 bucks happily. I told him not to be late for doctor's treatment. He wished me luck and I took the escalator for the metro station.
It's been months since this event happened. I still take a rickshaw for the metro station. But one thing definitely changed - I never argue twice when a rickshaw puller asks twenty bucks. I don't know if those five bucks will make any difference to a rickshaw puller's condition. But I feel glad that may be that rickshaw puller will go home five minutes early.
Photo courtesy - http://www.photoholik.com
