Reality Check

There are times when we wonder if God/Almighty exists. When everything in life is smooth and comfortable, there is a chance that you might debate about the existence of the Almighty. I used to be one such person until I got a reality check on an eventful day.

 I was in my second semester of college, had taken interesting courses, was earning some extra money and to top it all, I got engaged to my long time love and was getting married within six months. I was talking to my parents twice every day, my friends were just a call away. Life was exciting and the number of times I pray decreased gradually.

 So, one fine day, I went for a quick shopping spree alone (yes, I love shopping alone. Where else would I enjoy my right to freedom of thought? ). My phone was fully charged, I had a few buses at appropriate timings and most importantly, I had enough money and time. So, I started going around the store when my fiancé gave me a casual call and hung up soon. I picked up a few clothes and went to the trial room area which was completely empty. Feeling relieved that I need not waste any time waiting, I picked more clothes. Basically, I was just wasting time. My friend who was not in a very good phase of time called me and I started giving some free advice based on my experiences. There are times where u feel u are a saint and I was smirking after the call. After that, I checked the time and realized that I might be running late. Ignoring this fact, without checking the bus timings, I went over to try clothes and was smirking even more when I realized that I got good stuff for lesser price. I got the billing done, held my huge shopping bag and was nearing the exit gate when I noticed damp footprints near the entrance gate. This meant it was raining. With a jolt, I checked the time in my phone and it came as a shock that my phone got switched off. It was 70% the last time I checked it. How this happened still puzzles me. Now, I could not call anyone, the store was about to close, I had rough estimate of the last bus timings, I could not book a cab as my phone was dead, the store was about to close and they were in a hurry to leave as it was raining.

Going home in rain was impossible coz it was a 50 min walk and worst of all, I did not know the route back home. So basically, I was struck on a raining night with nowhere to go, no one to contact and the last bus left must have left too. I tried to stay calm and started walking alone towards the bus stop. It was pitch black with no one around. All I could hear was the rain. Still, I was confident and walked quickly with my head high. 'How bad would things turn out! What would possibly happen to me!' were my thoughts. By the time I reached the bus stop, I was half drenched. There must still be a bus and why should I worry? 10 minutes passed and one car passed me. It was raining heavily now. All I could feel was the water dripping my hair coz my fingers became numb with cold. 10 more minutes passed. A chill ran through me when it was evident that I had no way out than to just stay there or walk for 30 minutes to reach a store, charge my phone and call someone / book a cab. Moreover, somehow the whole area was creepy with weird noises made by insects and bats.

 I gave up completely ... I was wondering if I had no other way than to start walking when it struck me like a lightening that I still have hope. I prayed - "Dear God, I know that I need not read verses praising you or recite your names. I have been ignorant, foolish, self obsessed and I am sorry for it. All I wanna ask of u is if you really exist, please help me out. I have nowhere else to go or ask.... ", I paused.."Hope you really exist!!" I added. And then I waited. 5 minutes later, I saw a headlight and heard a bus horn and it stopped before me. "New route. So, Mason is it?" the friendly driver said. Relief flooded all over me. My shivering hands showed him my id.. "Thank you", I croaked. As I sat on a comfortable chair, all warm and cosy, I closed my moist eyes and said, "Yes, you exist. Thank you God!!".