In a city like Mumbai, we have a lot of options for Public Transport. We have local trains, metro trains, auto-rickshaws, taxis and now with the onset of Uber and Ola we have a lot of cabs too. So, reaching from one place to another is easy, it is just time-consuming due to traffic on the roads.

I was going to meet a friend whose father was admitted to the hospital due to a heart attack. The news came to me in the morning and I decided to visit her. When I was young hearing such news of anyone’s illness or even death did not affect me much. But, now I get emotional. Living with sick parents or without parents is so difficult, the thought itself is disturbing. My cab arrived and I hustled in it. I did not even look at the cab driver, l just told him the destination and he started the trip. I was quiet, even my brain was quiet, with no thoughts except ‘his’ in the hospital. My cab jumped high on the speed breaker, My head bumped on the window shield and without even wasting a second I yelled at the driver, “Watch and drive. That is the only task you have in hand. If you can’t then don’t drive.” I was very angry, I could feel my ears turning hot with anger.

He politely apologised. A few minutes later, my phone rang. “Hello……Oh Wow, congratulations. Finally a girl. How are the baby and the mother? I will call her later. Take care and congratulations once again. Lots of love to the little one.” I was overjoyed. It was my cousin’s call; his wife had delivered a baby girl. There was a never-ending smile on my face. I forgot everything; the cab driver looked at me through the mirror. He had a straight face, no smile, and no anger too. I felt terrible for how I behaved. It took me some time and courage to talk to him, “I am sorry, I was just not in a mood. I said so much to you without thinking.” “No Madam, it is absolutely fine,” he said with a smile. His smile was a slap on my face. “You must be getting so many passengers talking rudely to you. Isn’t it?” I asked him. “Yes, I do. But no one says sorry. People are not wrong Madam, their time and situation are wrong,” he politely said.

He was so correct. My destination had arrived. I got down from the cab and thanked him for the ride. I started walking towards the hospital gate and the cab driver called me, I thought I forgot something in the cab so I turned and started walking towards the cab. “What happened?” I asked him. “Congratulation, you have become an aunt to a beautiful girl,” he smiled. “Thank you so much,” I replied.  So many people teach you so many things in your journey of life. I prayed in my heart to the God, please keep this driver safe, healthy and happy. The world is beautiful because of people like him.