Root Causes..

I was walking out of office, that day. I had a bit of extra luggage – On Call Laptop, On Call Mobile and my new Photon+. My roommate, Priya had mailed me saying that she had forgotten her key and her mobile at home and will be waiting for me to leave office as she was very hungry. I had mailed her back saying that I would be leaving in 15 minutes, @ 7:45 PM. When I was about to leave, I was requested to give an update. When my work was done, it was 8:35 PM, and I had totally forgotten about my roommate.

Unusually, I started walking down the stairs than taking the lift, and just then near the ground floor I slipped a few stairs. I was unhurt by my new pair of sandals tore in the sides. I managed to walk with them all the way down the path. I submitted my Laptop pass to the security and walked up to the auto stand. Priya called me then, enquiring where I was. Realizing my fault, I promised to be there in sometime. As usual, none of the autos were ready to drop to my place which was actually close by. Making up my mind, I walked all the way to the bus stop which took me 15 minutes and my stomach had started growling in hunger. There I found a few autos and took a chance enquiring as I had no change except for a 100 rupee note. If I had tried taking a bus, the conductor would have kicked me out. Finally, I got into an auto to my place. Time was 9:05 PM.

When I got down, I gave the auto wala, the only note I had – 100 Rupee. I shook his head and said, “Chuta deejiye mam”. The amount on the meter was 16. I answered with a baffled reaction “Sorry bhaiya, Mere paas nahi hai”. He gave me a small smile, said “tk, nahi chahiye”, started the engine and left. I stood there dumbstruck..!

I walked up the flat and reached my apartment and saw a note signed by Priya, “Will be back soon”. I smiled to myself, opened the apartment, left my things in place and decided to get my sandals stitched. I reached the closest market area which was just a minute’s walk. Hoping to see a cobbler at that time, I was just keeping my fingers crossed. I found one soon and gave him my sandals for repairing. He said that the sole was a bit thick and stitching the entire sandal would cost 30. I felt that it was a bit costly. But not in a mood to bargain, I accepted it. Within a few minutes, my sandals were back in form. Satisfied with the repairing made I gave him “The 100 rupee note” I had. He gave back 80 and said that, it wasn’t that thick as he expected it to be. A thoughtful smile cropped up on my face..!

The root causes of present happenings are, a very long way back in our lives, than they are thought to be..!