My wife asked, “How much did they charge for the battery?”
My daughter was emotional, ” How can you leave the car and go home?”
We were walking away from our car which malfunctioned when I was about to play a podcast interview of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book “Revenge of the Tipping Point”. We had dropped our younger daughter for Maths tuition and on our return, as I was ready to turn the key for ignition the battery refused to start. So that was an embarrassing situation in the street. I regretted not taking it to the service station well on time. There were several reminders from the service center and I didn’t pay heed and delayed it for eternity. Finally, it succumbed. While I was ruminating, the entire street was turned into a crime scene investigation mode. There was a police vehicle parked 100 meters from our car and a sniffer bulldog was going about doing its business. There were a couple of stray dogs barking nonstop. The crew following the lead dog was going helter and skelter and I drew a parallel. I was wondering what to do. In total discomfort, I started looking for the service centre number and started calling one by one. I tried Rapid Assist, a 24-hour breakdown service and finally the call centre. Some of the numbers were switched off, some others were kind enough to tell me that no support could be made available thanks to the long Diwali weekend. One service agent showed empathetic distress by telling his own story. His car broke down and he had to take a rickshaw back home!
The message was very clear. So we decided to make the plan to inform the surrounding people to leave the car and head home. I carry books, pens and Post-its around wherever I go so it was easy. I was writing to announce to the world and also make people aware that the car has broken down with my name and mobile number. My daughter by that time had engaged in studying under the mobile light. I am sure she made my forefathers proud as someone would have studied under street lights as I was told by our old folks.
I decided to ring the bell and inform the surrounding house owners about the situation. It was in vain as no one opened the door despite repeated attempts at least in two houses. Turning back from a house, I saw a person pushing his bike inside. I decided to approach him and inform him. He turned out to be one of those gentle souls whose image will be etched in my memory for some time. He was kind enough to tell me that since he had two cars there was no space to park mine but seeing my wife and daughter he offered to drop us back home. I was humbled and appreciated his good nature. As I was leaving the car he told me to check one more battery place and see if there could be some help in the offing. That was a nice cue and that was the perfect gift. By now the bulldog has left the scene. Still, one stray dog was barking away to glory. My wife was calming the stray dog to take a break from barking. She was talking to him “Why are you barking, it has already left”. I was left amused hearing her speak like that in the middle of an ongoing crisis. I’m quite sure that I must have driven her mad with my angst and antics. Must say wiser counsel prevailed for her.
We walked around 500m and there it was. From a distance, I noticed the battery repair place. It was just like an oasis in a desert. It was a tiny shop but I was impressed with the proprietor Prakash who immediately decided to come along with me with the jump start. I noticed a boy who was working on another vehicle and I started making assumptions in my mind. We reached the place where my car was parked. Another embarrassment was to figure out the knob for the engine cover to be opened. I finally managed and in a few minutes he did it and I could start the car. I noticed that Prakash knew our good soul and they struck up a conversation. We returned and he asked the boy to fix a new battery inside the car.
I was keen to see if the boy had mastered his job and I asked a basic question, “Have you fixed it before?” It was already 6.45 PM and getting darker. He responded with a nod. I understood by then that he was the proprietor’s son and he studying in the 12th standard. While he was turning the nuts and bolts he asked me an interesting question, “Is AI replacing Humans at work?” There was a palpable silence. I was stunned. He told me that he wanted suggestions on which discipline he should pursue for his engineering. I asked him what he wanted to do. He told me that he wanted to finally end up doing business on a larger scale. In his mind, he has decided to go with Electronics and communication. I also supported the same and gave my view on the latest trends. He did his job nicely and it was time to shake hands. His hand was dirty but his handshake was firm. His face radiated with the attitude of a go-getter. The payment was done and it was time to leave. I looked around the shop and noticed how he organised himself as his father had left already home with his family. Call him the old chip of the block.
With my daughter, I was exchanging what I learned from the incident. I told her that if you do good to others it will get reciprocated in some form from someone else. I was fine paying the fine, as I met a nice soul Topno, a bright young mind Prithvi and a calm Prakash on that evening thanks to the breakdown of my car. Henceforth, I will now set a reminder for the car service. Still, if I fail to act that will be a real tripping point and I better be prepared, before there is an act of revenge.
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