A Tale Of Three Conversations

I am an Indian, who was living in Scotland, during the year 2018–2019. The story, I am about to share with you, is about three different conversations that I had with three different folks from Pakistan.

It’s going to be interesting, let me take you on this Journey!

If you are not aware of the political relations between India and Pakistan, let me just say, they are neighbors and that these two countries don’t see eye to eye on practically anything!

In fact, they have fought four full-fledged wars (1947,1965, 1971 & 1999). One during my lifetime as well, but all lost by Pakistan! After these failed attempts the govt. of Pakistan took the course of state-sponsored terrorism and orchestrated, attacks on Indian soil, to which there was first diplomatic then, military retaliation!

I have to narrate this unfortunate reality only because the three conversations, happened around the time of one such armed retaliation by India called the second surgical strike!

Now if you think, that I am going to bash Pakistan and just praise India, then let me assure you, that is not my intention! In fact, I am going to present the other side of this coin!

It’s my duty here to tell you , even after so many confrontations, there is a fact which appears to be a striking contrast, the good people of India and Pakistan have not given up! They have not completely surrendered to hatred and bitterness, also the good people are too many in number!

Well, I have already clarified my stand! It's a no-brainer to assume that the other folks would have naturally had contrary opinions!

So let me tell you about the first encounter,

I was new in Scotland! Well, if you are not familiar with this country, let me tell you briefly about it. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. For me who lived in the Indian cities of Bangalore (worked there), Hubli (did graduation), and Patna (where I was born and brought up), the greenery in Scotland was the most soothing to my eyes.

The people there were really good and friendly! if you visit there and are not used to listening to the Scottish accent, you might have some difficulty at first, but you would get used to it soon! This description will not be complete if I don’t tell you about the top-class customer service you would get in every single shop, restaurant, or any public offices that you go to!

I lived there for a year, and I only have fond memories!

Most of my interaction with the local people outside of my office used to happen in public places, and with the cab drivers during the occasional cab rides that I used to take!

This brings me to the point that, apart from Scottish cabbies, you would generally find Indian and Pakistani guys as well. There were others from the Indian subcontinent, as I was told; but I hardly remember meeting people of Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan nationalities!

One day, I had called a cab to go home after my day at the office. As I was waiting, I checked the status of the cab on my phone. I noticed the driver’s picture on the app, he looked like he was an Indian. I was happy with the thought that I might be meeting someone from my home country here in Scotland!

The cab arrived and I got in, and after the usual greetings, I asked where was he from?

He replied, “Azad Kashmir, Pakistan!”

Now let me tell you, Kashmir is an Indian state, that shares border with Pakistan, there is a part of it, which is in Pakistan’s occupation since 1947 and a bone of contention, between the two countries. It is an integral part of India, but this gentleman here referred to it as ‘Azad Kashmir’ or free Kashmir! No Indian, would be pleased with that!

I had no choice then but to react with a sarcastic, “Oh really!”. It was pointless to debate with him then! After all, I was in a foreign land!

He then asked me, where was I from?

I replied, “Bihar, India!”

Then he asked me how long had I been in Scotland? I told him that I arrived a few months back. From then on, we had a cordial chat!

I thought if I removed the ‘free Kashmir’ part he seemed ok!

I was wondering, the people of Pakistan also called the region ‘Kashmir’, Maybe, this guy was trying to be over-smart by adding an adjective, ‘free’ to it! Well, I could have been wrong here, but who cares now!

I reached my home and paid the fare. I told my friend that I had met a Pakistani guy. Not many Indians and Pakistanis get a chance to say this, in India or Pakistan. As there is practically no tourism between these two countries.

My friend told me that there were many Pakistani cab drivers in Falkirk, the city where I lived. In fact, there was a Pakistani restaurant, called ‘Sanam Tandoori’ which was a famous dining destination!

After that day, I happened to meet that guy a few more times, he never mentioned Kashmir and was nice to me.

Then came the 14th of February, 2019. A Pakistan-based terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammed carried out a suicide attack on an army convoy in Pulwama (India), which killed 40 Indian soldiers! The entire country of India and all Indians worldwide were naturally enraged! ….

I along with two other friends, had plans to visit London during the weekend on 16th and 17th of February. We left our office early on Friday, the 15th, and went to buy a few things for our trip. we had to return home and catch a coach in the night from Glasgow, which would reach London on Saturday morning.

It was getting late so we decided to take a cab to go to our home from the shopping complex. After a few minutes, the cab entered the shopping complex, we were able to see it from far. Suddenly my friend noticed that it was the same Pakistani guy!

I would have canceled the cab that day had I known earlier, to show solidarity with the families that have lost their loved ones.

Everyone has a right to protest in their own personal way!

While talking to my friends, I had said that I will not go to any Pakistani restaurant after this! The feeling was mutual among all three of us. My friend asked me what to do? The cab had arrived by that time.

The cab stopped, where we were standing. There was not much time for us to think! The driver opened the front door, I entered! My friends followed me!

The driver then asked me in a caring voice (in Hindi), “Kaise ho Ankit Bhai?”

It means, “Hey Ankit! How are you?”

Perhaps he had also sensed the tension!

I automatically replied (in Hindi), “Badhiya, aap Batao?”

which translates to, “I am well! How about you?”

Somehow, the anger inside just did not find a way out!

It might have happened because, due to the few meetings we had before this, we had become friends by this time!

He then asked me what did I buy? He had noticed the shopping bags in our hands. So I told him about the London trip, and we discussed London for the next 10 minutes that we took to reach my home. My friends had also participated in the conversation. He shared some good information

After we got down, one of my friends asked me, “What was that? Just before the cab arrived you had almost decided to never go to the Pakistani restaurants again, and suddenly you became too soft?”

I replied, “I just couldn’t do anything else! I wasn’t thinking, it all happened almost involuntarily!”

I contemplated later, that all my anger was for the terrorists and the govt. of Pakistan and perhaps my subconscious mind was convinced that this particular individual could not be blamed for those actions!

….to be continued

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This short meeting was the first of the three conversations, I had the other two conversations in a matter of few days after this, with two other people. One of these was a verbal fight and the other one was something I would never forget my entire life!

The other two accounts will be out soon, please heart the story to let me know if you liked it!