Moments Part 1 (Of Tragedy and Oddity)

At the end of a bad day when nothing goes right, there is nothing you want more than to quickly catch a rickshaw and have a smooth ride home.

This, however, wasn't the case today.

First off, we had the roughest time catching a rickshaw from dance class. When we finally did, the rickshaw-walla said that he wasn't going towards our area, but he could take us to someone who could. Glad for the man’s seemingly giving spirit, we hopped right on in.  

The weirdness started when he started talking to my friend who understands Hindi. At this point all I can understand is “hospital,” “wife,” and “medicine.” Then he started crying. After he stopped to let us out by a rickshaw stand and my friend pretty much pulled a very confused me out of the rickshaw, she explained what went on.

Apparently the man’s wife was in the hospital after having an accident during pregnancy. She has a history of high blood-pressure and was not in good shape. He started asking about our blood types (which REALLY weirded out my friend) and then started asking us if we could buy medicine for him because he couldn't afford them. He kept saying that he had to go to the hospital to see her. This whole time I don't understand what is going on so I'm just fiddling with my bag, being awkward. My friend offered to have us dropped off at the hospital because it is close to our house and then we pay him for the ride anyways, but he refused and went according to the original plan. The only thing that he asked of us is that we pray for his wife.

There are two things that could’ve been going on here. 

1: It’s like he said, and he has an injured wife in the hospital. 

2: He could be trying to cheat us. 

I think the first option is actually more likely because rickshaw drivers usually have other, more lucrative ways to cheat people. Also, the man refused to let us even pay for the ride and his tears seemed genuine.

The experience was very strange and very sad. So, very India.