Some Cheese To Go With Your 'Whine'?

Touching enough to break the silence

After a 8 month hiatus, I am now returning to the blogosphere with this short post. Lots has happened since I last wrote, as is expected of any normal 20 something's life I suppose.
But today was different and the credit of this post goes to a little urchin boy, barely 6 years old at one of Delhi's traffic junctions. I was on my way to a meeting, travelling in a car, making mindless conversation with my colleague. The day hadn't started off very well. The dream from last night still haunted, the morning was slow, the thought of going to work gave me a sinking feeling. So all put together, not much was going great. We pull over at the traffic signal. I see something that brings back memories. I hate this city. Restaurants once visited with friends now remind me of my solitude; many, just about every route reminds me of trips taken with acquaintances, friends, special somebodies; shops that were once my jaunt now just stare at me blankly, reminding me of happier days bygone. While these thoughts came gushing at me, tears welled up in my eyes. To avoid being looked at, I look away at the general hustle-bustle of a city shamed by a series of blasts just a day ago. Up comes a little fellow, a scruffy 6 year-old with shining eyes and a will to survive. He asks me to throw some petty change at him. Then he takes a good look and says "Ro kyun rahi hai?" (Why are you crying?). I shoo him away, gesturing him to move onto the next car. He persists and adds "Kuchh mat dena, magar kyun ro rahi hai?" (Don't have to give me anything, but why are you crying?) I could have buried my head in shame. 2 things hit me the next instant. I loved the way the little fellow addressed me - 'tu'. It was so personal. And, I felt utterly stupid and at the same time touched to have been shown such concern by the little outlander. The signal went green. I didn't have time to react. The car started moving. I wanted to call out to him, give him something, thank him, maybe just smile back.. .but he was gone. Or perhaps he was still standing there, waiting for me to speak, while we sped away...