Disabled and Unstoppable

 It was not my best day…I was in my nap mode and then having to wake up to go out…that never puts me in a good mood.  I left around 4pm to go to the doctor, stopped at India Bierhouse for a beer sampler and sushi and met with my friend Sagar from the Purple Fest.  

He told me to meet him near the Nandhi hotel where he would come pick me up by scooter. I just could not believe how brave and courageous he was driving through the traffic. He asked if I was comfortable and was talking about how much he loves riding… it was something I do not even think I ever saw in Bangalore-someone disabled on a scooter. He had to have someone help him get on and off….It was truly remarkable as he was truly “unstoppable.” I walked in and his sister was happy to see me. All of them did not remember who I was as he just said “my friend from Purple fest is coming.”  

We sat and spoke about all kinds of topics… She likes English movies Romance and love stories being her top choice and drama. He likes to watch all kinds of series. They both just sit so contently next to one another watching tv on a small sofa with no back on it… 

She loves to network and meet new people and he is more of an introvert. She traveled to Chicago to speak at an International conference and he traveled to Dubai. They both worked for Dell-going to the office 2 days per week. They pretty much do everything together and it is not an issue for either of them.  

Sagar said, “Sometimes I think about being able to walk like everyone else and I get bothered but most of the time I feel fortunate and know things could be worse.” He saw people at Purple fest in less fortunate circumstances and that made him grateful… 

He was teaching me about the Kannada language, the different regions of the South, and places to visit.  

They were watching an Indian singing competition like an America’s got talent. The parents did not speak English, but they were so nice as per last time we met. They asked what I wanted to eat and I said anything is fine…I mentioned non veg is fine because Sagar said he loves to eat Nonveg(meat) so I figured that was trending in the household. Turns out he does not eat non veg on Saturdays…the father ending up going out after he got home from work and came back with a bag of chicken. I always feel so bad when people go out of their way...people who are working class and do not have the most money...I feel like just awful, but these people are treating me as a guest and they just want to make me happy.  

I was telling Sagar, “I wish you told me you were eating vegetarian tonight.”  

He said, “Don’t worry you just enjoy.” She brought out snacks before and desert before dinner, which was so kind and she meant to make Ginger tea, but made Ginger coffee.  

After the snacks I felt full, but she was in the kitchen cooking away the Chicken curry with dal, rice, and paratha with the traditional sliced onion and cucumber…Sagar and his sister sat at the table with me to eat and it was lovely just sitting there and being with them sharing food.  

I was suppose to come over at 5:30 and I ended up coming over at 7:30… 

I was actually the timely one with that, but it was fine because I wanted to make sure I saw them no matter what time. It ended up being 1030 and my friend was waiting to come and pick me up so we could hang out a bit.  

Sagar had just finished eating and my friend pulled up….. They said that he could come in for coffee…I felt so bad… ugh it was sad.. Sagar just looked at me with these puppy dog eyes. His mom and dad walked me outside and stood in the driveway. She ran back inside and brought out some Cadbury chocolates and put them in my hand. I went to shake her hand, but we just looked into each others eyes and gave each other this beautiful, embracing hug. 

When I hugged her, it was just like this delayed hug and then we both just hugged each other so tight…it was like she was grateful that I was so kind to her son and I was grateful for her being an amazing parent and just being so kind to me.  

Mani and I went out together, as I had cancelled on him twice already and I really wanted to see him and catch up, but I was so full from all the food and it was already 9pm.  

But it was nice our short time together. I forgot how incredibly easy going and positive he is all the time….He wanted to take me to this special café on Mysore road, but it was too late for that…..he was also a great listener as I was talking about wanting to live in India and transition myself 100 percent out of the USA with no chance of ever going back and that was suppose to be the plan this time, but I left my car there… I had every intention to sell it and then it was driven without my consent and it was a total mess… boy did I learn my lesson put everything in storage, sell the rest, and just get out of there…. 

We had to cut our night kind of short and I could tell he was annoyed. I should not have double booked plans, but I am happy that I got to see him because that was the last time...before leaving India.  

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