Revelations on Foreign Soil…

Anand always seemed to have a battery problem with his phone and felt everyone else's is perfectly ok.. 

London didn't change it, rather made it terrible, well it wasn't the fault of the place where he had landed, it was the amount of calls he made using the 3G internet, but that couldn’t be helped since he was so far away from home. With this problem, he realized that he needed an external charger urgently!

He got down or rather up from the Baker Street tube station and began searching for a shop. There were many shops with big names and fancy designs, but he was still looking, not knowing what exactly for…..That's one of his USP’s 'Not knowing Exactly' and 'Searching on and on.' Suddenly, a shop at the far end on the road caught his attention. He went in and was greeted with a warm smile by a guy in his mid-thirties – well-built and really smart. An Asian guy, not Asian-Asian like the Chinese or Japanese, but someone with Indian features. It didn't take a minute for Anand to realize that the owner was a Pakistani and that was when the owner also realized that Anand was an Indian. That did not make any difference. He was a businessman and Anand was a customer. He showed him 3-4 chargers in different price ranges. Then suddenly he was lost in thought for a moment and then he spoke and said that he had something very good, way better than all these, but the problem was it was pink in color.. They both laughed and Anand was like if it's really good and can charge my iPhone twice, pink or purple really doesn't matter! The guy said it was courageous of Anand to buy it and showed the price tag which said 35Pounds. He smiled and told Anand that he could have it for 25 since they were neighbours!

That came as a real surprise for Anand, as he was not expecting any kind of conversation. Anand was really amazed and appreciated the gesture. He forwarded his hand for a handshake and introduced himself. The man behind the counter accepted the gesture. They exchanged basic information about where they were from and all. The owner told Anand that he had a friend from Pune when he was doing his MBA in London. He said that he had heard so much about Pune and other cities and it would be great to visit them one day. He was from Lahore. As they were talking a Scottish playing the bagpiper passed by and the shop owner was like look at these guys, the Scottish referendum is tomorrow;, and see how peacefully they manage everything without any violence. Of course there was bound to be some heartache tomorrow, he said, but whichever way the referendum goes. It’s still admirable. And look at us... We have been shedding blood since decades fighting over Kashmir and still found no solution. Anand was like (to himself) yeah right (as he was also aware of what happens to talks and how the Pakistani Army and ISI violate the ceasefire and how the person representing from Pakistan is in no control.) He was trying so hard not to speak about all this and there the owner was going on and on…..And it was the owner, who said, but what can be done; our country is in bad shape as the politicians aren;t really in control. Other countries like America Saudi Arabia and the army run the show, but it will change for good. Soon there will be friendship between India and Pakistan. He said, who wants to  fight every day. Not long ago we were one single country and where did all that unity disappear!? Why did it become so bitter? 'Politics' they both said at the same time and gave a high five. The owner then continued to talk about how different it would have been if Jinnah had lived for a longer time. He was so secular and progressive and could have taken Pakistan in the right direction, he added! Anand couldn’t have agreed more!.

They were so involved in the talks that he just couldn't entertain any more customers. Anyone who came into the shop was directed to one of his colleagues. Being a busy time and a big shop with so many customers Anand found it strange. He thought to himself that this shows that the person is genuine and really interested in the topic that he is talking about. Anand was happy to meet a Pakistani guy who talked of peace and friendship at the ground level and was genuine and true about what he felt and meant every word he said!

Their conversation was just not stopping, soon it went on to the topic of the drama involved in the Pakistani and Indian elections. Anand asked him about who would be the one who could change things for Pakistan. He said it would be Imran Khan. Just a week back he was leading a march against the government in power in Pakistan, he added. Anand told about the alleged links he had to the Taliban sympathizer groups and that he had no standing as to what exactly he would be doing. The owner argued and cleared some things about this topic, to which Anand did not completely agree. And the owner was like can't blame you it's the media which paints things differently. The owner said he had flown from London to vote during the last elections and there were a lot like him and the numbers were increasing day by day as there are people who care for their country. He said all the election manifestos of almost all the parties had 'Good relations with India' in their list of things to do. He said how the general perception about India had changed and it wasn't like it was earlier. He stated that hate was slowly vanishing and was being replaced by peace and friendship. Anand was so happy to hear that. The owner was feeling so sentimental that his speech was overflowing with words and emotions. He also mentioned that so many times he felt like taking a car from Lahore and going for a drive to see the beautiful northeastern states and all, but he could not. Hopefully it will change. It has to change, he added. There are many like me who feel this and we will make a difference in our countries politics, he said, with his tone ranging from despair to hope.

Before they realized it nearly two hours had passed since they had begun the conversation. Anand’s iPhone’s battery gave him a warning sign and that brought both of them to their senses. He gave him the card with the new London number and wrote his personal cell number on it. He also informed him about places where he could find  better accommodation and also asked him to call him if Anand needed anything. Anand told him that he would come there if he needed to buy any electronic equipment in future. The owner smiled and said brother just drop in anytime to talk and also meet me about anything you need other than the stuff in his store or any kind of help in London. This didn't come as a surprise for Anand as he understood the bond they had built in the last ninety minutes or so. Both patriots, intellectuals, thoughtful, passionate people who wanted something better for their country had met and this kind of bond made sense!

Events like these make one realize how perceptions can be wrong, how it can be so different than something one had been thinking all along. And when you know, feel, you know everything and have made up your mind and formed your opinions, and feel nothing will change it or there is no hope, that's the time, 'LIFE happens'..