Two good gestures...

I don't want be self boasting or make a Mother Theresa of my self but I'm generally perceived by people as someone who's always been there for them.

Of-course these are the people who have always been there for me too...but as they say it, "i have been for them more than just once". It is generally believed that if you are a person who helps others, then u are in the danger of being taken for granted. Well it's true, i have helped unconditionally and have been taken for granted.

This blog, however, is not about those few losers who forgot me. But this one is dedicated to two good gestures i received from two unsuspecting people. They are not strangers, but people i am associated with through work.

First is my night drop driver Mangesh from work. The other day, I was on my way to work, walking in the hot afternoon, after a futile attempt to find a cab. Mangesh was passing by in the office car, he immediately stopped the car after seeing me and dropped me right below the office building, thus saving me a headache.

I was touched by his gesture as the only interaction i have had with him earlier was to ask him "which car will drop me to Dahisar" and i have never even helped him. This happened on a Monday afternoon thus kick-starting a happy day for me.

The next person was Merissa Serrao, a PR executive, traveling in the train with me. Merissa and i met a year back when she introduced me to an Australian vice chancellor, which turned out to be a successful interview followed by a lunch at the Hilton Towers. I didn't meet Merissa after tha day.

However, the other day we both boarded the same train (9:04am Churchgate fast from Borivali) we ended up standing right next to each other right inside the terrifyingly crowded compartment. After exchanging a few pleasentries, we resumed to reading our individual books.

At Jogeshwari a woman sitting on the window seat got up to alight from the train. Merissa was right in front of her and could have easily sat down. But guess what?? she offered me to take that seat instead. I was flumoxed by this gesture, all those of you who travel by those damn crowded trains will certainly relate to my emotions.

I obviously requested her to seat but she insisted, so i had to give in. As i sat down looking out of the window with the breeze kissing my face, a sublte smile of satisfaction, humilty and thankfulness spread across my face.

Even though these might seem to be miniscule acts of favour to some, Mangesh and Merissa's good gestures are deeply etched in my mind as, in this big bad world that we live in, very few people would stop in traffic and offer you a ride or give away that most sort after window seat in a cramped ladies compartment.

Thank you once again Mangesh and Merissa :)