Jab we met

Last month I had gone to my best friend, Shilpa’s wedding in Pune. All of whom I knew at the wedding were Shilpa and her family. But they were quite busy in performing the puja. I was seated among the guests and was enjoying the music. But after an hour had passed, I was bored and was eagerly waiting for the wedding function to end.

Suddenly a guy came to me and sat next to me.
He said: “Hi. I’m Rahul. Naam toh suna hoga?
I thought: Oh! The same Bollywood dialogue. Is he talking to me or someone else?
Who is he? Why is he talking to me?
I wanted to shoo him off and gave him a rude reply.
I: “Yes. I’ve heard your name. My milkman’s name is Rahul. But you don’t look like him.”
He: “Hey! You’ve got a good sense of humour. You are Shilpa’s friend, Right? I am her cousin. “
I thought: So what? I am not interested in you.
He: “I was just making sure that all guests are being entertained but then you didn’t seem to be. Weddings are boring. Would you mind to come with me to the café for a cup of coffee?”
I said abruptly: “No thanks! I’d prefer to be alone than to spend time with a stranger. I don’t know you. And I don’t want to talk to strangers or be friendly with them.”
He said smilingly: “Strangers become friends only when you trust them. “

Saying this he walked away.
By then, the rituals were done. I had lunch and then gave the gift to Shilpa and her husband and wished them happy married life.

It was time to leave but it was raining very heavily. I had to be at Mumbai because the next day I had to attend a very important meet. But there was news that the trains from Pune to Mumbai have been cancelled. I was getting very panicky and wanted to reach Mumbai as soon as possible. Shilpa knew about this and was very worried. She then, walked towards me with a guy, and told him to drop me to Mumbai in his car. And guess who it was? Yes, it was Rahul….not my milkman…but that same stranger.
I wondered, ‘O my goodness, I won’t travel with him‘, but had no choice.

Throughout the journey from Pune to Mumbai, he was very nice to me and we became very friendly as if we knew each other for ages. He dropped me at my home and then we both departed with a smile saying, ‘Keep in touch’. From that day onwards, we became good friends.

I kept pondering over what he spoke to me at the wedding and then realized what he said was true. Truly, strangers become friends only when you have faith and trust in them.