Helping out
I was starting my car, when I saw them. Two women, in saris, one with a scarf over her head. A scarf on the head outside Dadar station only means one thing.
I was starting my car, when I saw them. Two women, in saris, one with a scarf over
her head. A scarf on the head outside Dadar station only means one thing: she was there for a cancer check-up.
I waited as they blocked the road, asking the cabs one after the other, to take them to the Tata Memorial. Of course the cabs refused; it was not a profitable distance. I drew up alongside and asked them where they wanted to go. Sure enough, the scarf woman replied, Tata Hospital.
I knew the drill, I had been through it before. βGet in,β I said, βI will drop you at the cutting.β She moved to open the door, then drew back. βItβs ok,β she said, βWe will manage.β βIβm only trying to help,β I said, get in, βI will take you there.β She stood, a picture of indecision, then finally opened the door. They slid in.
βThe door is still open,β I said and taught her how to close it. We drove along in silence. βYou are here for a check-up?β I asked, βIs it not better to get off at Parel?β
βWe are coming in from Pune,β she answered, βSo we got off here where the train ended.β My phone rang. I was at a signal, so I quickly checked the name. Then put the phone back in my bag. It could wait. βWe will get off here,β she said, and moved to open
the door. The phone had scared her, I realised; put thoughts in her head. I was most likely being guided by an unseen abductor.
βDonβt panic,β I said, βStay, I will drop you.β βNo,β she said, and leant past the other women, to open the door. βTrust me and stop panicking,β I said. βI am only trying to help. I am a journalist on my way to work, just trying to be helpfulβ¦β
She relaxed. Sat back. βYou have come out of such a big illness safe. Do you think God will abandon you to danger now?β I asked. I could see her watching me in the mirror. She smiled, her shoulders relaxed.
βIβve never taken a lift beforeβ¦β she said, βthatβs why. And we are from near Buldana, not used to the cityβ¦β βWell, itβs good to be cautious, but you are safe with me,β I said, and we turned into the road that led to the hospital.
I dropped them at the circle opposite the hospital. βMy CT scan is also clear,β she said, as she got off, βandβ¦β she hesitated and said in English, βThank you.β And smiled as her eyes met mine. That sign off made my day.