Don’t cry maddy we will going to miss you said Ashwin Sree Kumar
Nair.
That was the last conversation, which ended in
tears. I will going to miss ASB and my classmate but soon they will become nostalgia
for me and maybe for most for us also. My soul will going to remain in ASB
Corridor only.
With tears in my eyes, I bored down at
Bangalore station. It was raining heavily on that day 19th April
2011.It seems rain was also crying with me and saying last goodbye to me. With around
five bags and one guitar with me, it was difficult for me to carry. Then suddenly
I saw men he was short, black in color and he came to me and ask that he can
carry my luggage and he will going to charge me around 100 bucks for 4 bags. Good
deal done I said to myself. I was behind him and it seems to me that he was
running but I cannot beat him in the chase.
The best thing about the south Indian railway
platform is that platforms are well maintained and well cleaned and the same
thing applies to Bangalore platform. The day was very different from other days
because Iam leaving this place forever as a student. My mind went to past time and
I start thinking about my past when I entered ASB with different emotions that
day also I cried because I left home forever and this day I also cried because I
left ASB forever and ever. Then suddenly my silence was broken by Coolie and he
asked me will you like to eat something. I can bring for you. I was hungry and I
told him ok bring me a dosa I will adjust in 100 rupees. Iam hopeful that this
dosa will be good in taste as compare to ASB Dosa .Oops Iam again back in past.
After 10 minutes, he bought me a dosa and
within a one or two minute, I finished my dosa.I was just standing beside him
and thinking about my new life and new challenges which I need to face from now
onwards. Then I saw coolie want to ask something from me.
He was a typical Indian coolie. Beard, thin and
little bit muscular also. He asked me about what I have done. I told him Iam an
MBA. While talking to him I can see the eagerness and excitement in his eyes.
This is the same type of eagerness, which a small child felt when he opens his
eyes first time in his life. I can feel that excitement and eagerness in his
voice. He was full of confidence. Then I do not know what happen to me I asked
about his life.
He starts telling me about his life. He was
born in a poor family and was a Muslim by religion and he is having a wife and
one son. He knows four languages of south India and Hindi also and when he says
that I do not drink and do not smoke, I can feel that he is a true Muslim. Then
he asks me about how much you have paid for your MBA. Strange question but I need
to answer. He told me that he wants his son to get a government job and some
better work also. He told me he was around 50 now and because of age, he is
having a problem in the eyes. I sympathize with him but cannot help him. Then my
phone rang Vikas called me one of my best friends. He asked me do you need something
to eat. I told him to bring me one dose. Then again, he started telling his story
and his struggle with life. I felt bad. I can see the pain in his eyes and tears,
which want to roll from his eyes. I try to control my emotions also.
15 minutes later Vikas came with Masala dosa.
I was hungry but I remind myself that I have already eaten a dosa some half an
hour back. Then I do not know what happen to me maybe it is some inertia or emotions,
which force me, and I have given my Masala dosa to coolie.
What I really felt at that time is difficult to
define. I become emotional for a poor person and may be more than that and not
able to control myself. He said thanks to me and I can see the happiness in his
eyes and in the end, I also felt happy and overwhelmed and this is how my story
ended with Masala dosa.
In the end I said thanks to rain and Bangalore.