As I made my way back from Bengaluru airport at the unearthly hour of 3 AM, I found myself in a situation I never anticipated. Instead of being just another passenger, I became my cab driver’s driver. Yes, you read that right!
The streets of Bengaluru were eerily quiet, illuminated only by flickering streetlights and the occasional honk from a passing vehicle. The city felt alive yet asleep, wrapped in a blanket of stillness that was both comforting and unsettling.
As we navigated through these quiet streets, I noticed my driver struggling to keep his eyes open. He was fighting a losing battle against sleep, even stopping for a quick cup of tea and a cigarette to shake off his drowsiness. It was clear he needed help; his weary eyes spoke volumes about the long hours he had been working. In a moment of spontaneity, I offered to take the wheel. To my surprise, he handed over the keys faster than I could say “Bengaluru traffic.”
With a grateful nod, he reclined his seat and promptly dozed off, leaving me to navigate the bustling city with only Google Maps as my guide. As I gripped the steering wheel, I felt a mix of exhilaration and nerves wash over me. Here I was, driving through Bengaluru at night, with a stranger peacefully snoring beside me.
Just five minutes before we reached our destination, his phone rang. It was his boss on the line, asking him about his availability for a day shift. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness as I overheard him explain how he simply couldn’t manage the night shifts anymore—his voice tinged with exhaustion and resignation. It struck me how hard he was pushing himself just to make ends meet.
In that moment, a whirlwind of emotions washed over me: gratitude that he had trusted me enough to hand over the keys; sadness for his struggle; and a touch of amusement at how quickly he had deemed me fit for this unexpected role.
When we finally arrived at his destination, I handed him a ₹100 tip and cheekily asked for a five-star rating in return—fair trade, right? We both laughed at the absurdity of it all, two strangers sharing an unexpected moment of camaraderie in an otherwise ordinary night.
Reflecting on this experience afterwards, I realised that life is full of unexpected detours. It’s essential to be kind and empathetic because you never know when someone might need your help—or when you might find yourself in an unusual position. This encounter reminded me that small acts of kindness can create meaningful connections between us all.
So here’s to those unexpected moments that remind us of our shared humanity and the connections we can forge—even in the most unlikely circumstances!
Story by: Milind Chandwani, an IIM graduate and founder.
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