MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

                                 

                                                 

We had a very interesting chat session yesterday. ‘We’ means the ladies of our colony, which includes all sorts, like the wives of bank officers, business people, government officials and what not. You see, we cultivated this very healthy habit of gathering at some place every now and then in order to exchange some juicy tidbits of news about the people in the vicinity. But don’t jump to the conclusion that we are just a bunch of gossip mongers. We are not, by all means. We do discuss the national and international scenario also. This is where we learn about the country’s foreign policy, financial scene, cricket debacles, latest films and teleserials etc, etc. Of course, we also know about illnesses, marital quarrels, fixing of marriages, impending childbirths- in short almost everything under the sun about our colony members. I, like everybody else, look forward to these sessions very eagerly.

So, we met yesterday at the house of Sunita. Our group is sort of an assorted one. It takes all the types to make this world, isn’t it? For example, Vidya is a self professed avid newspaper reader. More than reading the daily paper, she takes elaborate pains to announce the fact to all and sundry – in other words, to all of us.

She sighed and said something about reading in the paper that one of the numerous miracle- making godmen of the country landed in the jail as a State Guest.

Deepa immediately closed her eyes and folded her hands discreetly. Her lips were moving in a silent prayer. This lady is an ardent devotee of  almost all the gods and godmen. I came to know about her devout nature during our very first meeting itself.

She made a courtesy call on me when I was new to that colony. Pleased with her friendly gesture, I offered her some home made snacks. She closed her eyes and folded her hands a little discreetly and her lips moved in what was obviously a silent prayer. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and ventured to eat. I took it as a serious  affront to my culinary skills. Nevertheless, that being our first meeting, I refrained from offending her by making any adverse comment. I offered her a hot cup of tea and then also she followed the same ritual. But when the same routine preceded her accepting supari, I felt intrigued and could not control my irritation as well as curiosity. I asked her what was the matter. Then she explained that it is her habit to thank god before putting anything into her mouth. Such is her devoutness!

So, naturally she was very disturbed with that piece of bad news and felt sorry for the godman. But not so Asha who is an atheist to the core. She firmly follows the dictum that “ Seeing is Believing” to the last letter. For us, simple folks, the guiding principle in life is, “Hearing is Believing.” As a result, she does not believe in more than half of the things which we do believe. Naturally, she is an arch rival of  Deepa. We were witness to their heated debates regarding the existence of god many times before.

She cleared her throat and declared in a definite no-nonsense tone, “I don’t believe in godmen and their miracles.” The rest of us are not so eloquent or vocal about our views. In almost every matter, we are more or less ‘middle-of-the-pathers’ like a majority of Indians. For example, we are all believers but not that staunch worshippers. I too follow the same tradition. About miracles- well, I never gave the topic any serious thought till then.

But somehow I appreciate both the ladies for their ideological obstinacy. They have clear views and do not mince words when it comes to defend their beliefs.

Deepa glared at Asha. “How can you dismiss so summarily? Miracles do happen. Didn’t you hear about the milk – consuming idols?” she thundered.

“Of course I ‘heard’ about that. But I never saw with my own eyes any miracle happening. Did you?” she inquired sarcastically.

By that time all of us warmed to the subject. It is clear that a majority of the ladies have faith in miracles. So there followed an unending stream of tales of miraculous happenings.

But the adamant Asha was unimpressed. “Don’t talk rubbish. If you have seen any miracle with your own eyes, then only tell me. I will get convinced only then.” She almost challenged all of us.

Normally I don’t argue much. Like Shakespeare’s Polonius says, I “give every man (or woman) mine ears but few my voice; and my thoughts, no voice” I don’t like to offend people by contradicting them. The main advantage of this policy is that I displease none and no one is my enemy. But the flip side is that I please none and no one is my friend either.

I ventured to ask her “What, in your opinion is a miracle?”

She pondered for a while. “A miracle is an unusual happening which cannot be explained by science or logic- which we never expect to happen and is very different from normal.”

That rang a bell in my mind. Recently I felt much on similar lines about some incident. But dimwitted that I was, I could not recollect quickly.

“At this moment, convincing her with an example will be more than a miracle.” Someone whispered.

Immediately it clicked. Same words I told my husband the previous day. That day the gas-boy arrived with the new cylinder. Normally he rings the bell incessantly till I open the door. But that day he just rang once and waited. Not only that, when I gave him the big note for want of change, he tendered the exact change to the last paisa and left – to my utter disbelief. Usually he has this habit of rounding off the bill to the nearest ten rupees. Over and above that, quite unabashedly, he demands some ‘baksheesh’ for doing the work for which he gets paid. That day he did none. It was in this context that I remarked to my husband, “His behaviour today is more than a miracle.”

Confident of convincing her, I narrated the incident. Taking a cue from me, others followed with their own experiences.

 “Since one week, my servant maid did not take leave. As she is not in the habit of working for even five days continuously, I was sure that she will bunk today. But surprisingly she came on the stroke of ten today and without frowning at the heap of vessels in the kitchen sink or the wash load in the bathroom, she finished everything silently. Imagine- not even a single grunt or grumble could be heard from her! Very unlike her indeed! Not only that, she even bestowed a smile upon me while leaving!” “Two days back when I went to Miyapur, the auto fellow charged exactly as per the meter- no full return or half return. Really surprising, Isn’t it?”

Asha vetoed everyone. “Quite unusual, I agree. These type of incidents are very rare and surprise us, no doubt. But I don’t consider them as miracles. At the most they can be termed as eighth wonders. You see, these people are capable of good behaviour but don’t bother. Just because they choose to be good for a change on some rare occasions, we cannot call it a miracle. It is nothing beyond their capacity.”

“When I was sorting junk yesterday, I found a five hundred  rupee note in a discarded handbag. Quite miraculous, isn’t it?”

This time, not Asha but Deepa herself pooh-poohed the lady. “Who would call finding money in the least expected places, a miracle?”

Now it was the turn of  Vidya. In a very confident tone, she declared “I am pretty sure this really qualifies to be a miracle.” She paused for effect. “Yesterday, I saw Mr. Easwar coming home from office before sunset. Not only that, he came with empty hands without the ever present bundle of files.” She sounded triumphant.

Mr. Easwar is her neighbour. Easwari, his wife is a very reserved lady and is never a part of our group. But that never stopped us from being observant of their movements. He is the only big executive from our office other than my husband, residing in the same colony. All are aware of the late- coming and files- carrying habits of both of them and wonder about this peculiar practice of the senior executives of our office.

So they were all surprised to hear that piece of news. Not just surprised- they were in fact shocked because such a possibility is never thought of. Asha was also equally dumbfound. As Easwari was not there, she looked at me for confirmation. I nodded my head. And of course, quite a few others also recollected noticing that special event the previous day.

So in a resigned tone accepting defeat, she said, “Well, yes….er….so….if really Mr. Easwar came home by sunset, if not before, without a single file, that surely is a miracle. So, miracles do happen, I agree.”

For no logical reason, we all felt happy and satisfied for being able to convince her at last. Still some were curious about the reasons. “How did it happen actually? Will it occur again? Does it mean that we can look forward to the same miracle in your home also?”

I sighed and shook my head gravely. “No, dear. I don’t wish it in my house. And there is no chance of it repeating there either.”

They were all puzzled. “How can you be so sure about it?”

I replied “Because yesterday was the last day of his service. He was fired.”