This is about a friend I met during my time in Bengaluru. He was my roommate, a person with an unpredictable mood but a genuinely kind
heart. What stood out was his ability to be non judgemental and equally respectful towards everybody. One afternoon, he went out to meet his
girlfriend. Around 2 p.m. I received a call from him saying they had argued over something trivial. He was extremely angry. I asked him to
calm down and come back to the PG so we could talk. I was convinced the night would be long and restless. To my surprise, when he returned, he was completely calm. There was no trace of anger in him. After freshening up, he suggested that we go out for dinner. Curious, I asked
why he looked so happy despite what had happened. Laughing, he shared something that stayed with me. On his way back, he had noticed a woman sitting on a platform with her baby. Without thinking, he reached into his pocket and gave her the money he had planned to spend on a cigar. He told me that the moment he saw her smile, his frustration and anger vanished. He smiled back and walked away feeling lighter. Before ending the conversation, he said, “One day, you’ll realise this yourself. And when you do, you’ll remember my words.” A few years later, one evening, I went out to buy something for myself. On the way, I saw an elderly woman sitting by the roadside, asking passers-by for something to eat. I walked past her, completed my purchase, and took the same road back. Seeing her again, I stopped without hesitation, took some food from my bag, and gave it to her. The smile on her face was simple, yet deeply moving. I found myself smiling all the way home. That was the moment I truly understood what my friend had meant. It wasn’t about money or charity—it was about human connection. That day, I realised what true happiness feels like.
