The gratitude of an unknown smile

The gratitude of an unknown smile

Rohan was sitting in a crowded local train in Mumbai, with his bag pressed under the seat. He was looking outside the window at the rain falling down. I have not got a job for three months... I failed the interview today too, he thought to himself. Just then there was a stampede at Churchgate station. A girl with a torn carry bag in her hand ran wildly and jumped into the same compartment. There were mud stains on her white salwar and fear in her eyes. Please help me! Someone snatched my purse and ran away... it contained my sister's medical report! She clung to an old man sitting near Rohan.

Rohan saw that two people at the station were pointing in that direction. Without thinking, he jumped and said, tell me the description of that thief! I will catch him. The girl said panting, the one with the red shirt... a coin chain around his neck. Rohan ran to the platform and caught the man hiding in the crowd. His hand got scratched in the jostling, but he recovered his purse.

The girl wiped the blood from his hand with a handkerchief. I am Aadya. Yours...? Rohan. It's okay, I just did what anyone would do, he said shyly. When the train started, Aadya quickly tore a page from her diary. It was written on it - St. Mary's Hospital, Room No. 214, "Come here tomorrow morning, I will help you, she smiled and got down at the next station.
Rohan kept that page in his bag. This girl is probably a nurse... or a doctor? But how will she help me? He kept thinking. When he reached home, he saw - a phone number was also written on the back of the page.
The next day when he reached the hospital, the nurse told him that Aadya is the daughter of the managing trustee here. She has just come from the US for a vacation. Rohan was surprised. Aadya came to pick him up in the corridor. Has the wound on your hand healed? Come, meet Papa.
Mr. Mehta, sitting in the room, saw Rohan's resume. I would have interviewed you myself if you had not helped my daughter. The post of HR manager is vacant in our company. Join from tomorrow. Rohan's eyes filled with tears. He looked at Aadya, who was smiling quietly.
It was two months after getting the job. Rohan was returning from office. Then he got a message from Aadya – Come quickly, Papa has had a heart attack… he wants to meet you. He rushed to the hospital. Mr. Mehta held his hand and said, “Take care of the company in my absence. Aadya has a lot of expectations from you…
That night Aadya and Rohan were sitting outside the ICU. You not only saved my purse, but also saved my sister's life with that report. Now it is my turn to stand with you, she put her hand on Rohan's shoulder. The bright Mumbai night tied the lives of two strangers together.
Today Rohan is the CEO of the same company. On their wedding anniversary, Aadya gifted him that old purse, which now contains their daughter's first ultrasound report. Remember? This purse brought us together, Aadya laughed. It was raining outside, just like that day.
Rohan looked at the purse on his palm. That night I thought, this girl will go away from my life… but you became my life. Aadya pointed to the drops falling from the window, that rain was a curse for me... Mummy's accident also happened in such weather. But because of you I forgave this rain.

After Mr. Mehta's departure, the responsibilities of the company had made Rohan firm. Aadya, like her sister, started taking care of the company's social work. One day they launched the "Mehta Foundation"—for medical aid to poor children. This purse will now become the smile of hundreds, not just ours, Aadya said while signing the papers of the project.

When their daughter Arya turned five, Rohan took her to Churchgate station. Who are you waiting for here, Papa? Arya asked. The person who introduced me to your mother, Rohan said while holding her in his lap. Just then a young man got down from the train, from whose hand an old man's luggage fell. Arya ran fast and picked it up and gave it to him. Thank you son. At your age people are lost in their phones, the old man stroked her head.

Aadya saw this scene from a distance and smiled looking at Rohan. There was the same sparkle in her eyes as there was on that rainy evening. When a stranger changed her world.

Even today that old page of the diary is framed in room number 214 of St. Mary's Hospital. Below it is written. Sometimes a favor... lays the foundation of a relationship. And next to it are three photographs: a stolen purse, a wedding dress, and a girl who is carrying the luggage of a stranger.

Sometimes life brings such turns, where a moment's help... becomes a companionship for centuries. The only difference is that some relationships are made with blood, and some with promises written in blood.

Sometimes life gives us a chance to become someone's angel... we just need to extend our hands with courage. Because that unknown face is a stranger today, tomorrow it may become your companion in happiness and sorrow.