Random Divinity!

It was a routine drive from my hotel in Bangalore to the airport. Generally, I take a cab (mostly a ola or meru, depending which is available) for a drop to the airport.

A Monday evening, the usual office rush and maddening traffic on the roads. Cabbie who came to pick me looked absolutely simple and normal like most other cab driver. He wore a skull cap, which made me realize that he was a Muslim (nor that I care much about one’s religion). He greeted me politely in basic simple English… “Mam Good evening, I am starting the meter now… and we started the journey to the airport together. As most Meru cabs donot have Fm radio, so most part of the journey was quiet with no music except some random calls and smses popping in and out on both our phones.

I randomly at times overheard him speak to his fellas and yet everytime he respectfully greeted all of them, “Salaam Walaikum.” Though it sounded sweet to me, unlike our regular “HELLO” or rather “HA- LO.”

So we continued on our journey, he skillfully maneuvering the steering wheel and making his way towards our destination. Me too by then had finished returning all the missed calls and messages, quietly watching the busy day pass by and the passersby through the rear window. My cab driver, Shahnawaz Yusuf Hussain, broke the silence and asked me, “ Mam can we halt for 5 minutes, Inshallah 8 bajey ke pehley hum pauhanch jayengey. I responded, “ OK. But Why?”

He very softly responded, “Namaaz Padhni hai.” I instantly responded’ “Please, Sure” ~

……….“by all means”(in my mind to myself)

After crossing a few meters, he stopped the car, parking light on, got of the car with his prayer mat. He found a clear spot on the adjacent footpath, next to our parked car. I was intrigued as to how and where would he offer his Prayers. I watched him through the window, still intrigued and curious. He spread the mat and began offering his prayer…. totally devoted, unperturbed by the noise, unruffled by the people, unflustered by the surrounding…. they all seemed inexistent to him.

His head turning from side to side, and randomly blowing over his shoulders. His mouth constantly moving, may be chanting a prayer. At times, covering his face with his palm. After about 10mins or so he came back inside the car and the first thing he uttered was “Thank you Mam”. I said, No problem!

The rest of the journey seemed still, yet serene; quiet yet intense for me. I realized in the moment how strongly in one devoted & dedicated to one’s GOD. And so much gratitude and genuineness in his two words “ Thankyou Mam.”

These are the times that pushes you to think how strong is your love and devotion to your GOD! These are the times which questions your faith in HIM. Yet these are the moments when one experiences divinity…divinity in people…divinity through people. Pure simplicity!

7.45 pm, and I reach the airport, well ahead of my check in time; we said our thankyous and goodbyes in our own ways.

Though we left on our own ways, the experience never left me. It brought me tears, and the whole act yet strengthened my faith in GOD, gave me one another reason to love HIM more than always.

Dear GOD,

I Love you. Thankyou for everything!