An Old Boot Polisher

People say when life changes it does it in a moment - and ‘a second’ that is smallest measure of time is still long enough in front of that moment. Ryan had wished to change his life forever, he had gone through hundreds of job interviews but none turned into a job. It had been 3 years since he had completed his studies and looking for a job. He had started losing hope in his life. However, there lay an interview call in his hands from the city of hopes and opportunities. Only a day before, he had traveled to Mumbai, lodged in a cheap lodge and the only source of light in his gloomy room was a blub illumining yellow. Next day in the morning, he took a cold water bath and readied himself for interview. While walking out with a folder in hands that had his resume, listed all his academic qualifications which had been termed gateway to livelihood.

He reached the train station to catch a train to suburb and after spending almost half an hour in queue he purchased a ticket that cost him Rs. 10. He hadn’t had tea that morning.  His wallet was only left with Rs. 10 note for return ticket and a picture of his parents. His wallet also had a picture of Jesus pinned to cross, bleeding to death for the sake of believers but he had torn it into pieces and thrown into the direction he didn’t look. Perhaps, that morning, with that picture he had also torn his only relationship with God. Suddenly, with that act he had entered into the realm of faithless ones.

After crossing a couple of overhead pedestrian bridges, he reached the platform he had to catch train from. Reaching right platform called forth a surge of achievement in his heart. He had never seen this many people together. Everywhere there were people running, crossing, walking, talking, jolting without apologizing, trying to make their way from hopelessly crowded places, jumping into the trains already carrying passengers twice or thrice the capacity, holding on to handle bar like in the act of circus. To Ryan, it was a world where not living but survival was the utmost priority, and only achievement.

Standing at platform, he looked around and saw people with office bags, wore cleanly creased clothes, having impatient eyes, often looking at the big digital watch hanging from the roof for time and scheduled trains. Though, they stood at platform but their mind and thoughts were somewhere else. All seemed disinterested in the present world they were in and had hopes of finding a new world kept them going forward. Ryan heard loud tapping sound appearing at regular intervals, he looked around and saw Boot-polishers scattered all over the platform and tapping the wooden base with shoe brush from which they polish the black and brown boots of their customers. They were trying to seek attention of all the potential customers. Most boot-polishers also had their customers and polishing boots with full vigor. They are one of the fastest boot-polisher in the world. To them every second means money especially in the rush hours of morning.

He saw an old boot-polisher, tapping the wooden base while looking at him. When their eyes met, he called Ryan. Ryan refused by the mere look in his eyes but Old boot-polisher insisted. He smiled his old smile and pointed at the awfully shabby boots of Ryan.

“These shoes are not going to have you have the job you are going for, young man.” said old boot-polisher.

Ryan was left awestruck by this revelation. Though, he knew the condition of his shoes very well, they needed a replacement.

“How do you know, I am going for job interview.”

“I have been doing the job of boot-polishing since 30 years at this very platform. I can tell by mere look of a traveler what is he up for.”

Old boot-polisher urged Ryan to have his shoes fixed and polished before catching the train. But, again Ryan refused him. He again urged Ryan. This instance, Ryan went close to him where the old boot-polisher was seated, “I don’t have any money to have the shoes fixed and polished.” told in low voice.

Old boot-polisher told him not to worry about paying for his services. If you get the job then you can come back and pay me for the services along with sweets and if you don’t then also come back I will again polish your shoes for your next job interview.

“Why are you being so generous for a stranger like me, Old man?”

“World is not a fair place, since it’s not run by saintly people. Let me give you a lesson I have learnt in my life – One has to look someone to become someone and shoes are the most important aspect of one’s life since they keep men running and have him stand like a rock in the difficult times. That’s the reason shoes are considered part of one’s personality.”

Eventually, Ryan have had his shoes fixed and polished, and caught the train after promising old boot-polisher to return. However, that morning he wasn’t sure of his life, had doubts and in some corner in his heart he was at the brink of sinking.

In the evening, Ryan returned with an appointment letter in his hands. He looked around but couldn’t find the old boot-polisher. He waited for some time and returned to his lodge.

Next morning, he again found himself at the same platform; it was going to be his first day at job. He wanted to thank Old boot-polisher for the hope he brought in him. Ryan measured both the ends of platform but again couldn’t find the old boot-polisher. Since he was getting late he caught the train and went to work.

In the evening when Ryan stepped down from the train he again went to the spot he had his shoes polished from Old man. He was angry on himself for not being able to find Old boot-polisher. Determined to meet the old boot-polisher, Ryan spent the entire night there at the platform. First thing in the morning, he wished to meet him. He slept by the closed nearby book shop. When morning arrived, the book shop owner came to open the shop and found Ryan sleeping there.

“Young man, wake up, why have you slept by my closed shop, don’t you have place to spend night?”

“I am sorry for your inconvenience. I have a place to go but I am waiting for the Old boot-polisher who sits by your shop and does his business.” 

“For an old boot-polisher you have spent your entire night sleeping here, why do you want to meet this dead old boot-polisher?”

“Excuse me, did you say dead?”

“Yes, he died a day before, had some sort of seizer. Couldn’t get help in time.”

“Was he sick?”

“Very much, at times I offered him money to go and see the doctor, but he always refused. What an old obstinate man.”

Ryan’s eyes ceased blinking, for a moment his surrounding turned noiseless. He heard nothing, saw nothing, only the smiling face of old man flashing in his sight. He put right hand in his pocket, took out the money he intended to pay the old boot-polisher and looked at it as if he never deserved it; he owed it to a man whom he could never ever payback.

The END