A random act of kindness

The summer was at its peak as the sun beat down the crowded streets of Jamnagar, GJ. A tourist would have fainted in the heat, but to her this wasn’t new. These were her streets, her village her people. For 20 years she had owned the place - every street, every corner, every turn has a story. But after 2 years in Houston it felt different. Everything was the same, but it just felt different - something had changed, may be it was her.

As she strolled down the Gandhi Marg, she passes by hawkers selling antiques, the road side food shows frying delicacies and then there were the deprived individuals asking for penny from every passerby. The streets were rich with culture but equally destitute of well-being - nowhere like the metropolitan Houston where everything was so organized and impeccable.

As she approached another intersection across the walkway she saw a familiar figure she hadn’t seen her childhood friend Lata in a while and it was a strange co-incidence. Circumspectly she approached her but the smile and surprise on Latas face confirmed, she too had recognized her. Lata was always the smart one in the class - great at studies and also the charming one. She came from a well-bred family and everything used to go her way back then. But now she seem to have endured a tough time, the clothes were ragged, hair dry and undone.... things didn’t look good - Naina also noticed that she was expecting a baby. After the initial greeting they decided to sit down at the nearby coffee shop and catch up...
Lata was impressed with Nainas departure to the US and the way her life had changed for all good and then began her own tale - After school Lata had tried to get her job, was doing well, fell in love with a guy and then got married to the love of her life. But then things started to fall apart - her husband apparently had an alcohol addiction which had never come to her notice before the marriage. He then lost the job and wasnt good to her. Food was hard to come by and she had to toil hard just to feed herself and keep the baby inside her healthy.

Nainas heart melted at Lata's plight and she prompty offered to help her monetarily. However Lata wouldnt oblige as it was killing her to accept money from her friend. Upon Nainas insistence they agreed upon a plan. Naina would arrange with her grocer to provide regualat supply of food and medication to Lata to help her bring her baby to this world. Also, her resident falily in Gujrat would take care of the cost of delivery and subsequent needs. Lata didnt know how to thanks her friend and was in tears. It was a very painful sight for Naina, but she departed with a sense of fulfilment having done something good for a friend. A fortnight later she departed for Houston to resume her now life with her family.

Years went by and Lata and Naina never saw one another as their lives lead them through their own vicissitudes. It was another summer when Naina was visiting her parents in Gujrat. The kids were enjoying the summer vacation and it was her time off from her daily chores. As she went around the market place one evening, she was approached by a man she had never seen in her life. But his expression seemed to say that he knew her from a long time. He addresses her Nainaji, how are you, with his hand together greeting her Namaste. She asked, if she knew him and he replied, probably not but she knew his wife Lata. Naina was surprised to see Latas husband and asked about her whereabouts. She was shocked when she learned than Lata had passed away soon after giving birth to her baby boy but what she heard later startled her no end. Badal informed her that he came to know about all she had done for her late wife and he was ashamed with himself. He was deeply touched with her kindness and she was the sole reason that he had his son. He had mended his ways and was taking all the responsibilities of his son. He had ridden himself of the addiction and was maintaining a good job. Apart from this he had started voluntary work at his son’s school and was thus making it possible for other students to gain education. He showed her a picture of child and Naina couldn’t control her tears.

As they departed, Naina pondered how unknowingly she was responsible for so many good things. She was sad to learn about Latas demise but a lot of good had happened. She was left to delve into the number of lives that had been affected positively with her one random act of kindness.

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Inspired by a true story.....

Newale Misal

Its Diwali time and no wonder I am craving for some crazy spicy Missal – missal, so hot that it makes your nose, mouth and ears sweat and makes you cry like a baby.

This takes me back a few years when adapted this novel tradition of treating ourselves to super hot Newale Misal on Diwali day. By we, I mean my pals from downtown Yamunanagar Nigdi. If I recall correctly Ravi Apte and the Patil Brothers were at the forefront of the origination of this concept. Always ready to tag along were myself, Mahesh Papu Kawale, Subhash, Pravin, Sunil, Amit, Santosh and Zende Bros. So the ritual on Narak Chaturthi was to wake before sunrise, have a bath, burst some crazy loud crackers, head to the grounds for a couple of games of cricket and top it all up with super delicious Newale Misal for breakfast.

The missal was tasty to begin with, the first 3 bites tasted like heaven. Then the guys would refill the bowls with the KAT – super hot oily spicy floatation on top of the curry, and in no time all the pores on the body would start to sweat. The eyes would water, the ears would swell, the mouth would go ripe with saliva and the nose flow like a running tap. One half of the body would say I can take it no more and the other would crave for the delicacy of the Misal.

Crazy as the tradition was we looked forward to it every year, it was hard on every one – just the thought of the spoon full missal would make one sweat but we did it anyway.

I can’t be the part of the mania this year guys, but hope you all make it to Newales.