The Gentleman
Until I reached Hetauda the seat next to me was unoccupied, might be due to
lack of passengers. But when I crossed Hetauda, one person got in the bus, in a
hurry. He sat in the seat next to me. In his initiative we introduced each
other and became co-passenger very quickly.
We started talking. I was really impressed by the point of view of that
newly introduced friend. He gave me long and interesting details of those who
were engaged in corruption and also with the proof. On the basis of his talking
and proof about corruption I drew a conclusion immediately that this person is
very honest.
His honesty made me regret
on myself for being selfish. Being highly educated my effort was so less to
contribute something for the nation. I thought it would have been better if I
had provided free tutoring to the students. Being embarrassed, I carefully tried not to bring
it up while talking. I still remember what he said during the conversation very
clearly. I still remember the lights of truth and confidence in his eyes. With
full confidence he had said “Joint efforts of the youths like us can change the
face of the country by alleviating the terrible poverty.”
I was also happy to get such a honest person by
me, as it was a night bus, and it would mean I could catch some sleep without
worrying about my luggage or theft. I felt the journey up to Kathmandu in that
night bus would be safe. At about midnight, our bus reached Narayanghat and
stopped for a while to drop some passengers off. The stopping of the bus woke
me up. I looked up immediately to the seat next to me. My new friend was not there in his
seat.
At first I got little upset
as he didn’t even tell me goodbye when he left. I became little confused too. I
recalled he had told me that he was going all the way to Kathmandu. As I get frequent headaches, I tried to open
my bag to get the medicine. I couldn’t find my bag. I did not see my bag which
was under my seat. I yelled- hey, where is my bag? Has someone seen my bag?
The helper of the bus
asked me surprisingly ‘what type of bag……..? Was that blue color? Unlocked……..?
The bag under your seat? Was that yours?’
The helper said again
‘That bag…………the man who was sitting next to you took it. When he was getting
off in Bharatpur I saw the bag in his hand. He was in a hurry. I assumed that
was his bag, and also could not suspect him because you both looked very close
friends from the way you were talking. I thought you knew each other.
I had no words to say
him. I was speechless. Seeing me in such a situation the helper asked me ‘was
he not your friend, really? For sure?’ Didn’t you know each other?’
I replied reluctantly-
no, I don’t know him.
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