~ “ Sahab Chai”- The Call Of The Morning ~

He has been at his usual best since quite some time – asking him about the time he came and set up his makeshift camp – a small Tea Shop shanty , his eyes glitters and he tells me that it was in mid ninety’s when he came from his hometown Allahabad that he thought of doing something worthwhile in this ‘Magical’ City. But what made him bring to this life of razzmatazz and hush-hush living? Rajinder thinks a lot and then after a careful analysis he states - “ Sahab kuch apna karna tha!” – I had this fire in me to do something of my own and that is what made me come to this City. He left his small family comprising of his mother and father and a younger sister and took a train to Delhi – he came her ticket less and just ran from his home.

Rajinder did odd jobs for some months to put food on his plate, he slept on pavements risking his life at because of brazen and drunk drivers in the night – he sailed through tough times due to chance meeting with his soon to be ‘Lifelong friend – Shankar’. As Rajinder tells me ‘Shankar was the guy who I made friends with in this city, he is an absolute Gem.” He now shares his small room with his long lasting friend – both are in their mid-40’s, unmarried and living to fulfill their aspirations in this land of opportunities.

                                                                                        

“Don’t you miss your parents or young sister? Are you in touch with them? “, I asked. He was quick to reply “Haanji – I go regularly to my native place, though my father is no more, I have got my sister married 5 years back and she is well settled in Allahabad having two kids. – She even visited me last year and I made them roam around India Gate!” – The excitement to his story was quite palpable and I obliged to his eagerness of sharing his personal life to me.

With every sip of Tea, I asked Rajinder Bhaiya, “Don’t you think of getting yourself married and start living a life of complete settlement?, what are you waiting for now?” He slowly whispers with a clever smile ( he becomes a little shy on taking up that question) – Sir, ab shaadi kya karenge, Ab budhhe ho gaye hum, time nikal gaya hai !” I was a little aghast first on listening to his answers, but as I convinced myself, it was his life and he has to make smart choices what he wants to do with it.

Now that I have befriended him – we converse daily on life post covid times – he is quite skeptical about situations changing for good, though he thinks that it will take time – he has lost considerable business due to this pandemic and hopes that situation fast changes for his betterment.

All I can say is that Rajinder Bhaiya has also become a purpose for me to go to office in the morning and have his tea cuppa sans Sugar but with lot of ginger and unconditional love which he pours whilst he makes Tea for me –- thus knocking on the office door every afternoon after I have reached office - I am in inquisition of a familiar voice “Sahab, Chai” – the day thus starts….