It was Saturday evening of January, when I lighted my cigarette and taken first puff on roadside. A little kid in half T-shirt came in front of me and said “Bhaiya-Bhaiya 2 rupayee de do..Bhukh lagi hai.” (Give me Rs.2, I am hungry.)
I ignored him and took out my mobile to check messages. Again same words came from him.
This time I looked on him carefully. He had a polythene bag on his head to protect from chilly wind. Even in half pant he was standing firmly. With his gesture I felt a cold wave inside me and thought “Ise thand nai lagti kya? (Doesn’t he feel cold?)”.
He was watching right straight in my eyes. I felt, with his two bright eyes he was seeking only Rs. 2 from me.
I asked “Kya karoge 2 rupaye ka? (What you will do with Rs.2?)”.
He said “Bhukh lagi hai.” (I am hungry)
I thought what he can buy with Rs.2…..Nothing.
I asked “Padhai karta hai? “ (Do you Study?)
He nodded his head and said “nai…padh ke kya karenge?” (No, what to do with study).
This time I replied him like a gentleman “Bacche padhoge toh, bada aadmi banoge. Khudd se kamaoge aur khaoge aur.. .(When you will study, you will be rich,gentleman and dependable and…)”
Little kid stopped me in mid and said “wo toh mai abhi bhi karta hun. khudd hi kamata hun, khud hi khata hun.”
I smiled and said “Tab toh tum bhi bada aadmi ho gaye dost.” (Then you are too a rich and gentleman.)
This time he was more serious than me and said “nai bhaiya, Bada Aadmi toh mai abhi bhi nai hun. Bada aadmi tab hota jab khud kamata, khud khata aur jarurat padne par dusaron ko bhi khilata.” (No, I am not a rich and gentleman. If I would be then dependable not only for me but for others too..)
I was speechless.
I didn’t say anything else to him. I just gave whatever in my left jacket.
He was walking far in dark. Now, I too was not feeling cold anymore.
Whole night one question was haunting me “Really I am an educated and gentleman (Bada Aadmi)?”
“Apne liye toh sab jite hai….Kabhi dusaron ke liye ji kar dekho”
“Everyone lives for themselves… try to live for others”
