I was riding from Kannur to Calicut through Kerala’s beautifully built express highway. Roads like these tempt you to pull down your wrist on the accelerator. The engine creates an almost ecstatic feeling.
But I no longer fall for that trap.
I believe in riding at a speed that creates a perfect rhythm between the mind, body, and soul. The idea behind a ride is not to complete it quickly, but to experience every moment of it fully.
As I rode ahead, I noticed a bike parked on the roadside. It was obviously a breakdown.
I slowed down.
There was a young couple — probably college students, maybe 18 or 19 years old. The girl looked scared. The boy looked disappointed. The bike had simply run out of fuel.
I suggested that the boy accompany me to the nearest petrol station while the girl waited there. She was hesitant to stay alone, but he assured her that it would only take a few minutes and that it was still mid-afternoon.
We took off.
On the way, we exchanged a few pleasantaries. He admitted that the bike wasn’t his. He had borrowed it to take her around.
About two kilometres later, we found a fuel station. He searched for an empty bottle and found one that could hold around 1.4 litres. The bill came to around ₹150.
Then came the silence.
He started checking his pockets again and again. His expression changed. Confusion. Shock. Embarrassment.
The ₹200 note he had carried was gone.
His phone didn’t have enough balance for GPay either.
Without saying much, I paid for the fuel.
For the rest of the ride back, he kept thanking me in broken English, his head lowered the entire time. It wasn’t the fuel that mattered to him. It was the relief from embarrassment.
When we reached back, the relief on the girl’s face was equally visible.
Before leaving, I quietly slipped another ₹100 into his pocket and told him:
“Don’t forget to return this too…”
Today, I wish my camera had been on.
I received one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen.
I quickly rode away. In my rear-view mirror, I could see the boy frantically trying to stop me. I knew he did not have my number, and I did not feel the need to give it to him.
I don’t know whether what I did was right or wrong.
I just know that I enjoyed doing it.
Rider with a king size heart 💓
Now that is a nice compliment. Thank you so much.
You really deserve every nice compliment Kiran.
You are a wonderful person I had the privilege to work with.
Inspiring……That’s the exact kindness you always had in you…… that’s the quality I always admire in you. That quality never fails in you.
Thanks. We all owe it to our parents. Our mom was an epitome of kindness but so also was Dad.
This is beautiful, It’s so true that sometimes the best part of a journey isn’t the destination, but the unexpected detours where we get to humanize a moment. You didn’t just save them from being stranded; you saved that young man’s dignity. That extra ₹100 note gesture was pure class.
Thanks Abhishek – I was truly happy that day.
Kiran sir like person makes me keep believing, good poeple will be there for you
Thanks Akshay – means a lot
Such a heartwarming incident! ❤️ Moments like these give us so much more satisfaction than the instant gratification that we get from Likes or impulse purchases.
Thanks Neel – yes you are absolutely right – true gratifying moments
Sir empathy is in your nature. This reminds me of the first time you took my a peice of my heart and i started thinking of you as my God father. I was 18 years old who was alone in a new city with a very busy schedule for studies. Always scared of strangers and classmates alike. Scared that if I make one wrong move my parents would take me back home. On a random day when I was running back to pg you called me just to check on me and make sure I was ok. You were just my teacher till then but became my God father from that moment on☺️☺️
Thanks Sanjana – you will always be one of my fav daughters