Back in 2014, I would just randomly take the train to nowhere to clear my head and observe other people.
On one such occasion, I found myself loitering around the Delhi University north campus. I wanted to also apply for a Master’s degree in Sociology and wanted to sexplore my options.
I was living on my own and was earning a living wage which after rent and other deductions didn’t leave me with anything, So, when the strap of my only decent pair of sandals broke during this trip, I felt gutted. I hadn’t budgeted for a new pair that month and wondered how I would navigate the campus with the damaged sandal. As I was berating myself, I heard a gentle voiced “Excuse me.”
Turning around, I saw a girl, seemingly younger than me, carrying a large tote filled with books.
She introduced herself and asked if I needed help. I explained the situation with my sandal, and she quickly staged a repair using a bobby pin and a bunch of safety pins she had in her bag.
And fix she did, like she were Houdini and I were a transfixed spectator.
After she were done, she told me the job will hold for at least a month, like she had somehow heard my inner dialogue and diatribes while I pretended I had enough money to buy a new pair just after leaving the campus. I sheepishly thanked her and she then proceeded to show me a shortcut to one of the exit gates and waved me off with an unassuming wave like she hadn’t been a literal fairy goddess to me just five minutes back.
To this day, memories of this encounter leaves me with a warm, radiating feeling in the heart.
Where would we be if not for the unexpected kindness of strangers.
Fingers in symphony 