Growing up, we all heard fairy tales. The best part of these stories was the ending, which was always bright and happy, whatever hardships the characters went through, good eventually happened, be it Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty, to name a few. And that is how our initial years are shaped, thinking that things will always get better, come what may. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to be infused with so much positivity right from a tender age? And how amazing it can be if one could be a part of someone’s life to bring that happy, positive end, which may turn into beautiful new beginnings.
On 25th April 2025, I was going somewhere at 1 pm. My car halted at a traffic signal just two minutes away from my house. My car happened to be on the side of the footpath and not amidst the many cars waiting. I see a girl walking, decently dressed. She looked exhausted, it felt like she could fall any moment, and every next step was torture. She also had a lost look in her eyes as if she did not have any idea where to go. I also noticed she was not carrying a mobile or any bag. I won’t deny, had a fleeting thought, should I ask the girl if she is lost? But before the thought could firm up, the light turned green, and my car moved. Came back home, had lunch, and went to my room around 3 pm. Opened WhatsApp and while going through, found a message about a missing girl in one of Vayun’s school WhatsApp groups. I was awestruck. The image the message had attached to it was of the same girl I saw at 1 pm at that traffic signal. It stated that she had been missing since last night at 7 pm and had two numbers to call if anybody had any information. I started feeling a rush of emotions, more because inside I was regretting not stopping by to ask her if she was lost. Called Suyash, his number was busy, called my friend Mahima, and she told me we should for sure inform them, but advised me to check with Suyash first, as it goes “one never knows”. Again, called Suyash, glad he was free this time, told him about it, and he was absolutely sure we must inform them now, no confusion about anything, the only thing was he decided to call them from his number, so that I am not bothered. And for the next 45 minutes, he kept receiving calls, from the police personnel, the parents’ colleagues, and even a lawyer. He even made the inspector talk to me as they wanted to know every detail straight from the horse’s mouth as to where she was going and the exact spot where I saw her. Fingers were crossed, I was just hoping for the best, and feeling helpless as to why I did not stop that girl. But God is great, he is always there to make things right, and at 5.30, they found the girl in a nearby hospital, sleeping on a bench.
And then started the thank you calls. The parents, choked up, called to say how grateful they were. The police called to tell how the info helped them to narrow the area of search. They had been looking for her in a thousand different places, with minds shadowed by tons of negative thoughts. The inspector mentioned that generally nobody calls even if they find something, as to why get involved in any unknown business. The father came after a day to meet us…I mean, the number of times he thanked me, can I ever forget how grateful he felt. It was altogether something I had never gone through and had never felt. He said we gave them a new life.
What about us…? Suyash and I have been so so humbled and overwhelmed. We can never forget this ever. Suyash penned down a post on social media so that people could know about this extraordinary occurrence in our lives. Can I ever be grateful for the love and affection that poured out? So many calls I received, wanting to hear how everything happened, and how they felt so proud of me, I was showered with blessings and patted on my back. But I felt as if I just did what the power above made me do. I mentioned I was going somewhere that day. What was this somewhere…? I had a party to attend that day and had forgotten to shampoo my hair. At 12.30 kinds I was thinking about what to do should I shampoo at home or go to a salon, and go now or in the evening. Finally made up my mind to leave at 1 pm. So, if in the morning I had washed my hair, I would not have seen the girl that afternoon, if the traffic signal had not been red, my car would not have stopped, and if I had been on a call, maybe I would not have noticed the girl. Always a believer but now even more amazed, intrigued, and enthralled…he is always there to take care of us, to guide us at every step, to be right there to make miracles happen. And how happy I feel to be a part of someone’s story and bring the happiness and onset of new, beautiful beginnings. Humbled and grateful forever…pure serendipity…!