It was a cold November night, and I was heading home after work, almost 11,30 I checked my watch, I heard a growl from my stomach that reminded me "I have to eat" .

I could see a small hotel nearby ... walking towards it , I checked my purse (I do that very often: I don’t know what do you call the fear of realizing I have an empty pocket and cant pay for what I just ate: Empty purse phobia)

53 Rupees!

Suddenly I bumped into somebody and I looked up at his face , he must be in his 30s There is a lady and a kid with him.

He said: Bhai sahab aap hindi jantey ho?...[Do you speak Hindi]

Thoda.[A little]..I replied

He looked relived , We are from UP our luggage was stolen along with all the money in the train and we had to get down here, we didn’t have anything since morning, please help us...

I was literally moved when I saw the look on his wife and son's face!

I started thinking- It could have been me, these things could happen to anybody...
I gave the Man all the money I had in my pocket and I walked towards my apartment,

I passed the ATM counter and it was staring at me, but there was no point of course, It was the month end and I didn’t have any money in the bank, I was hungry but I was Happy... I felt that I had done something good for somebody, and that night I sleep with peace, feeling proud about my 'Act of kindness'.... [Mummy I am not that mean you see...]


Weeks passed, and my life got on the same old track.

One day I was taking a stroll on MG Road with a friend of mine, It was a fine Saturday, So we had made plans for a movie.

He went to get the ticket I waited outside the theater lighting a cigarette.

Bhai sahab aap hindi jantey ho?... I heard a voice behind me , I turned around and I saw the same guy , the only difference was this time he had another lady posing as his wife and another kid...

Holy cow, I walked to the man and asked him did he you recognize me... he said No Sir, I am from Bihar, Just arrived here this morning looking for a job, we haven’t eaten anything since last two day... Help...

I said I don’t know if you remember or not, I had given you some money a few weeks ago and then It was a different story with different Wife and kid... and I'm going to call the police.

The guy started Pleading!!!

Right then my friend arrived with ticket, he said, Dude, I know this man... I gave him 100 Bucks for a ticket last month...

Brain said 'Go on hand the guy over to the police.. Let him get what he deserves'

My instincts said 'Dude, If you hand him to the police he'd get away bribing the guy, So you are just contributing to the corrupt system [Welcome to India!!!], else you can atleast be happy you fed an empty stomach [Even thought he did not deserve it]'

I left the guy, but I did feel remorse- not for my 50 bucks, but for my random act of kindness going in vain!!