Our 'saarthi' for the trip to Gavi was young Bashir who is an expert driver. It was an experience to see him weave the bulky Tempo Traveller through heavy traffic on the highway with ease and subsequently, the way he'd negotiated the numerous curves and the hairpins up the hills showed that he's perfected the art of driving in a remarkable manner.
Married, at a comparatively young age, he dotes on his wife, Noorjehan and his four year old son, Altaf, who incidentally is getting to school tomorrow for the first time. He was insistent that we meet them enroute and boy, wasn't he thrilled when the meeting took place! He's already had a stint in Saudi Arabia for four long years as a store keeper and to quote him, 'while being at it absorbed the nuances of life'. Always smiling, he has a pleasant countenance and was eager to show us the important landmarks that came on our passage. And what made the sights all the more interesting was that he'd quite a few anecdotes related to the places/landmarks that came our view.
The thing, however, that worries me is his fiery temper. He'd taken on the group of people who'd blocked everyone's passage at the exit point of the forest area, saying that they'd no right to block our way. And I'd to literally hold him back, on a short leash, before the incident got out of hand as I sensed that everyone's ire was turning on to him.
As he finally bade us good bye, on completion of the journey, did I see a hint of tears in his eyes or was it just my imagination? He's been the 'saarthi' to so many people before us on long journeys, by his own admission. So, why should he show any special inclination towards us? But, as I'd begun punching in these thoughts of mine much later in the evening, he'd called up to say that he would be ready to take us on any trip that we plan in the future. I've assured him on the affirmative.
Attaboy, it gives me a nice feeling!
Married, at a comparatively young age, he dotes on his wife, Noorjehan and his four year old son, Altaf, who incidentally is getting to school tomorrow for the first time. He was insistent that we meet them enroute and boy, wasn't he thrilled when the meeting took place! He's already had a stint in Saudi Arabia for four long years as a store keeper and to quote him, 'while being at it absorbed the nuances of life'. Always smiling, he has a pleasant countenance and was eager to show us the important landmarks that came on our passage. And what made the sights all the more interesting was that he'd quite a few anecdotes related to the places/landmarks that came our view.
The thing, however, that worries me is his fiery temper. He'd taken on the group of people who'd blocked everyone's passage at the exit point of the forest area, saying that they'd no right to block our way. And I'd to literally hold him back, on a short leash, before the incident got out of hand as I sensed that everyone's ire was turning on to him.
As he finally bade us good bye, on completion of the journey, did I see a hint of tears in his eyes or was it just my imagination? He's been the 'saarthi' to so many people before us on long journeys, by his own admission. So, why should he show any special inclination towards us? But, as I'd begun punching in these thoughts of mine much later in the evening, he'd called up to say that he would be ready to take us on any trip that we plan in the future. I've assured him on the affirmative.
Attaboy, it gives me a nice feeling!
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