Respite

‘Raahat’ in Urdu or Hindi means respite or relief.  

It is also a name, particularly among the Muslims. Some of you might have heard about Raahat Fateh Ali Khan, the versatile singer capably shouldering the legacy of his uncle, the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. But this post is not about him. It is about his namesake, a little known scrap dealer on the Thane-Belapur road, you may never encounter.

This incident happened about six months ago.

Halfway during my ride home, my bike refused to go further. A preliminary check found that the fuel tank was dry. And I was about two and a half kilometre away from the nearest petrol pump.

Somehow, I managed to get a bottle from the locals. I started the walk. After a hundred meters, I thought of hitching a ride. After a score of vehicles passed by, one biker stopped. But he was not going the way I wanted to. I thanked him and started looking for the next vehicle. That guy went a few metres ahead, parked his bike and walked towards me. He asked me why I was looking for a ride. Then he saw the bottle in my hand.

Petrol khatam ho gaya kya? (Are you out of petrol?)

Haan, petrol pump tak lift chahiye thi. (Yes, I was looking for a lift till the petrol pump)

Bas? (Is that all?)

Haan. (Yes)

Ekdum barabar aadmi ko rukaya phir tumne. Lao apni bottle. (Then you stopped the right person. Bring your bottle)

He unplugged his bike’s fuel pipe and gave me half a litre of petrol. When I tried to pay him, his reply was, “Paise loonga toh Khuda ko kya muh dikhaoonga? Kabhi yaad kar lena humein, woh bhi kaafi hoga.” Translated to English it means, “How will I face the Lord if I accept your money? It would be enough for me if you think of me once in a while.”

This was when petrol was almost Rs.80/- per litre.

Raahat had not only saved me a hike, he also saved me some money. But, above all, he taught me not to expect anything in return of a good deed.

I know you cannot read English, Raahat. There is close to zero possibility that you will know this post is about you. It has been six months but, every time I get the bike tank filled, you are the first person I think of.

May your tribe increase!