Kindness

  This was just another flight for him. Lately he had found himself on too many flights and going to too many places, but seeing none. So much so that the exhilarating view of the world from thousands of miles up dint amuse him anymore. Like any other flight immediately after take off he pulled out his head phones and started to work on the presentation.

   He felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. He noticed it was the person sitting beside him. Funny how we get lost inside our electronic devices that we assume having a conversation is out of the ordinary. This person was about 70. He wore a dhoti and a formal shirt upon it. Still carried a Nokia 1100 with him. He said in a very soft voice "son could you please help me with the seat belt?", He obliged. What's your name he asked after thanking him "Sam" he replied. Sam returned to his presentation and only put the laptop down when meals were served.
It was now that Sam noticed a crutch kept between them. All this time he was so consumed with his work that he dint notice it was kept between them. Starting a conversation he asked "uncle, you manage alone?" Pointing to the crutch. He replied " I make do". "You are going for work" he asked "what gave away" replied Sam. "Your attire"said uncle "why else would someone board the plane wearing a suit when it's 40 degrees outside. "You are very observant" said Sam. " I used to be part of the president entourage and profiling people is something I did for a living." replied uncle. Sensing the conversation is taking an interesting turn Sam switched his laptop off. "Which president" asked Sam
Second one he said with a smirk on his face. Normally Sam would Google it and appear smart. But 7000 miles above ground he had no way to do that. After an awkward staredown he said "Mr Radhakrishnan" surprised Sam said "wasn't that in the 60's" pointing to the crutch uncle said "I'm an old man."

  Sensing an abrupt end to the conversation Sam asked "What's in Pune?"."My in-laws" replied uncle and added "tomorrow is my wife's 10 th death anniversary." Not knowing how to respond to such sudden turn of the conversation Sam just said "I'm sorry". "Don't be son she had a good life and she passed without pain"replied uncle. " We were married for 40 years "he added. Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise. "How do we do it?" Asked uncle "well yes" asked Sam. "The secret is finding someone who is kind. When the looks fade away when you stop behaving and the actual person you are comes out in front of each other. The only thing that will keep you together is kindness" he added " you would feel the urge to make her world a better place for she makes it a better place for everyone else".