The Remains of The Day

"You ... most most ... jewel saar, life ... pakka jewel", said the auto guy, squeezing my hands and saluting when he was not squeezing. His face was assuming expressions varying from surprised happiness to appreciation. I was impressed, thinking that he was doing a good job of whatever he was trying to do and my ego satisfied (of course, assuming what he meant to say is - "You are the crown jewel of human race" or something to that effect ;-) ). Now, when I look back at the incident, I felt I just did the right thing at the right time, that is all.

Last night, it rained heavily. It started around 7:30 and was non-stop till about 11:30 types. The 8 pm cab which came at 8:30 to the office, gave us a thorough tour through the most muddy regions in Bangalore, and safely got us into the downpour at Sadashivnagar at around 10:30 pm. It didn't make sense to stand and get drenched, when i can rather walk and get drenched. So I started walking placidly, sandwiched between the shower from top and the 1-foot-high slushy water on the roads. After a while, I found an auto guy eyeing me with all the challenge he could muster into his eyes. I gave in and asked him if he can come to MES College (a landmark near where I stay). He replied a defiant yes, adding that it would be 50 Rs. Of course, this was plain robbery, knowing that it won't cross the minimum of 12 Rs from where he was positioned. I gave in to this too and smiled at him knowingly, at least to let him know that he wasn't just walking all over me. Things were going fine until about 40 sec after the auto started when it came to a halt and just didn't move. This guy tried whatever he has at his disposal, like swearing, pulling the gear violently, opening and closing the engine box etc.

As this was happening, I somehow felt pity for this man for whom that 50 Rs must be god sent, and how he was really excited about the prospect of loosing it. His efforts went on for a few minutes without response from the auto. I then asked him to just go back a few yards to a petrol bunk, where he can get his auto repaired, I'll pay him a 10 for the ride till then, and go walking from that place. I could clearly see that he was moved but not satisfied. He asked me to sit inside and pushed the auto back to where I had indicated earlier. But, as he came there he noticed that there was an parellel road running which was slopping down. He immediately said that the problem is solved and sat in the auto and let go, after a while the engine picked up and we were just fine.

As is my habit, as we reached and as I handed over the money, I asked him if he knew the route to where he needs to go then. At this point, without any warning he was holding my hands and praising me left-right-center. It was sort of unavoidable as he was holding the money and my hands together. It was 11 pm and and I was feeling extremely tired because of the heavily bumpy ride of 2 hrs in the office cab , the drenching in the rain and the blood donation from afternoon. I pacified this soul and got into the house.

My part in the whole incident, I feel now, was partially inspired from reading a book that one of my colleagues gave - "The Remains of The Day". It was a booker prize winning novel from a Japanese writer Kazuo Ishiguro. I was surprised at how a Japanese guy wrote in detail about the British psyche during the post world war times. The story is told by a perfect English butler who serves under an influential Lord for around 30 years.

This butler, during his holiday trip through rural England, recollects many of the reminiscences of those times during his service with his previous master and reassures himself that his life hasn't been a waste serving his master, whatever gossipers have to say about him. At many places during the narrative, there are good discussions on what is dignity, what is greatness etc. Though these were from a English butler's perspective, and how things changed over generations, the general message was not lost on me. What drives us most to do whatever we do, is a sense of accomplishment, that is , the task itself. Most of the time, if we were to be asked during the work that we were sure about the result, the answer would have to be no. But there is always hope and there always will be. It somehow feels nice to do the best thing possible given a situation. I can't explain but I'm sure many of you will feel the same way. You many not always be master of what you face, but you'll still be master of what you do when you face whatever you face.

For example, last night's situation. I was drenched. I can be more drenched and keep walking and catch cold or something. Or I can take the auto and leave. When the auto stopped, I could yell at the guy and stamp out bad tempered or I could have tried to help both of us out of the situation. This list goes on and on. It's like a binary decision tree. I do the best possible at a given situation or I won't. Really inspiring novel, it leaves you with a feeling of purpose in life.

I would recommend this novel for anyone who has a little inclination towards Victorian type novels.