Have you heard this song?
“Ghar
se masjid bahut door hai chalo yun kar len,
Kisi
rote hue bacche ko hansaya jaye.”
(Meaning
in English:
The
prayer place is so far away from home,
Let us
just make a crying child smile.)
Recently I felt
the joy of making a crying child smile. It was Friday. I had just taken my
bath. I was about to start my prayers when I heard my next door neighbour’s 7
to 8 years old kid (boy) ringing the bell in his house. A few minutes later, he
called, “Mum.” After a few minutes he called her again. Then again and repeatedly
thereafter. I thought probably his mother was in the bathroom and would be out
soon. While I was about to resume my prayers, I heard his call again! I got
curious and concerned and went out.
He was a cute little kid with a large
backpack on his back. He was leaning sideways on the wall. I asked him softly
what happened. His eyes were filled with tears. I realised I had to be really
soft and tender while dealing with him. We have been living in this house for
last seven months but have never spoken. He must not even know who stays in the
apartment attached to his home. I acted casual and asked, “Hey, mum’s not
opening the door huh?” He wiped his eyes and murmured something. I asked him if
we should press the bell again. I did. He was observing me. I asked him if he
knew his mother’s mobile number. He gave me a number. He was scared and sad at
the same time. He looked so timid. I asked him if he would like to come inside my
home and wait with me for his mother. He denied. I went in to bring my mobile
phone keeping the door wide open, so that he doesn’t feel miserable again
standing alone outside. I dialled the number and introduced myself to the lady
who picked it up. I kept the phone on speaker, so that he knows what is going
on. Sadly, what he gave me was a wrong number. I was confused. I offered to hold
his bag and wait with him outside as it was heavy. He denied.
Suddenly an idea
struck! I asked him if he has his school identity card or the school diary. I
knew there I would be able to find some number that worked. He gave me his Student
ID Card. It had 2 mobile numbers. From the ID card, I also realised that my
next door neighbours are Japanese. I dialled both the numbers and didn’t get
any response from both. The numbers kept ringing. However, I repeatedly tried 3
to 4 times and finally one number was received. It was a male voice. I
introduced myself and asked him if he was the resident of that particular
building. He confirmed with a yes. I told him what was happening and gave the
phone to his son. He talked to his father and told him all the details how he
came home early (he comes home early on Fridays, he said) and was waiting
outside and his mum wasn’t home. His father must have comforted him enough. He
gave the phone to me. His father told me that he would call his wife and find
out and get back to me in a while. I said, “Excellent. I would wait for your
call.” Meanwhile, I
started small talks with him. He told me that he has a small brother too. Their
bicycles are kept in front of their door. We talked about cycling and who likes
what kind of ride etc. We both smiled and laughed. His father called and informed
that his mother has entered the building campus (ours is a huge campus with
three massive apartment towers) and should be home in a few minutes. I gave the
phone to Riki (changed name of the kid) so that he could hear this information
from his father himself. We both continued our conversation on bicycles and shared
our stories. We even laughed. He still didn’t want to come inside my home. It
was fine with me. I could understand his apprehension. So, I waited with him
outside for his mother. Ten minutes later his mother came and thanked me. I
said it was my pleasure. That day I felt great being there for the kid! It was
indeed my pleasure to keep him company. It was as fulfilling as praying to the
almighty! #gratitude