A NEW FRIEND

Today evening, I cooked paneer pakodas. While preparing a thought came, “I should go and give it to my
dad’s friend “(the couple stays nearby my place).

After making pakodas I packed a few and went to their place.

Aunty was cooking Paper dosa, so she packed me few dosas in a tiffin box.

I took them and thought let me fill my car’s petrol.

So went to the petrol pump nearby.

There was only one guy standing at the petrol station today. Today was a Sunday and usually it’s a
holiday for all, so its just his duty today.

I usually fill my car’s fuel from this petrol pump as it’s the nearest one to my house.

This guy fills my car’s fuel tank usually and the guy is deaf and dumb.

He speaks through signals and I have a hard time struggling to have a conversation with him every time
he fills my car’s tank. He is the only dumb and deaf guy I know in my entire life. So I don’t have the skills
to talk to him through signals.

Today its chilly cold and a holiday. I thought I will share a dosa with him.

I looked at him, opened the container and offered him a dosa with just a smile. As my words wont make
any difference to him.

He looked at me, looked surprised and stared at me for a second or two.

His nameplate read: “ Rakesh”

He took the dosa, I parked my car aside, offered him some chutney and we stood near the fuel station.

He ate the dosa as quickly and swiftly as he could. He knew I was waiting for a feedback , “how it is ?”

He gave me the best smile I have ever seen in my life. And made a sign with his fingers saying : “ it
tastes good, thank you. “

I smiled back to him and drove home.

Today I made a new friend without words and hope it remains forever.

By

Atraeyee purkait

29/1/2011