Ray of hope

There are weeks where things go to plan and then there are weeks that have you looking up at Him and silently mouthing “ ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?? “

Well the end of last week and early this week was one of the “are you kidding me” weeks!! So when I realized that I had forgotten to pay my electricity bill (failure to do so will result in then shutting off your main switch!!) it was more or less like the straw that broke the camel’s back. So there I was on a Tuesday feverishly praying that things will soon work out. I remember praying” please give a sign that it’s going to be ok. Please let me know that, no matter what, as you have done always, you will take care of me”. In short I asked for one “ray of hope”, to indicate that things aren’t always as bleak as they seem. Please don’t take this as my lack of belief but I am only human. And well that day, I faltered.

I decided on Tuesday night that I would rock up early to the electricity board, and be among the first in line, pay my bill and get to work. On reaching there I happen to strike up conversation with a woman and man, both of whom were there to pay the bill early so that they could get back to work. While waiting at the billing counter, we began talking. When I say “billing counter” what I actually mean is a small dingy meshed window, beyond which it is too dark to see, and through which you hand over your card and cash and like magic a random hand comes and takes the money and thrusts the receipt back to you. During our conversation, I mentioned that I was a teacher (well I really didn’t think telling them I was a speech and language pathologist would prove useful). The woman told me that she worked as a domestic help and the man told me that he ran a milk booth. The man then mentioned that though the sign says that the billing counter indicates that it would open at 830am, there is no guarantee and mostly it opens anywhere between 9 and 10am.

On hearing this, my already stressed out brain went into over drive and I began to panic. So I decided (very quietly) that I might as well take ½ day off to get this done. I also began practicing the conversation I will have to have with my boss in my mind. No sooner had I practiced it for the third time in a row, the man looked at me and said “Madam, I know this will make you late for work. Why don’t you give me your card and the money and I will pay your bill for you and I will meet you at a place you tell me to in the evening and give you back your card”.

Before I go on any further let me just tell you all this. I have lived in Chennai for the past 4 month. Till date I am yet to meet a stranger who was willing to help. I have to fight with auto drivers everyday for a fair ride and I have had people at the counter stare at me like I am mad when I say “thank you” and I have had palm readers curse me when I told them I didn’t want my palm read and beggars (very healthy ones I might add) scream at me when I don’t give then any cash. So you can imagine my surprise when I was offered the help. The offer lead to a discussion between the “devil” and “angel” that resides in my head. (I state that this conversation took place only because I was so stressed out) The conversation went something like this:
“Angel”: “oh wow...what a nice offer “
“Devil “: “there is nothing nice about it… I am sure he wants something ... I know, he will disappear with your cash”
Angel”: “no way, after all its 195 Rs… what good would that do? “
“Devil”: “fine… do what you want… but I will be waiting to say ... I told you so!! “

So, I thanked the man profusely, took out Rs 250 and my card and handed it to him. He opens the card and without any hesitation, hands back the 50 Rs. I again hand it back to him, telling him to please take it for all the trouble he is going through for me. He once again hands back the cash and tells me “My God, won’t allow it.” He continued by saying “I however have only 1 request. If at any time you are free, can you please give some tuition to my children so that one day they can end up being like you”. Words failed me and all I could do was nod.

I had found my “ray of hope”.

I left the electricity board with the biggest smile on my face and with my faith in a lot of things, restored.

To add to the joy, guess who was waiting for me at the predetermined location with his daughter, carrying the card, the receipt and change of Rs5.

THANK YOU GOD! YOU ARE AMAZING!!