2 Bucks Each for a Smile

This shared vehicle service available to and from the Metro Station requires that a vehicle moving from there be filled to full capacity (and more) to get highest returns. So drivers and passengers some times need to wait really long while more passengers are found.

Today, we waited 15-20 minutes. Some restless college boys did urge the driver to not wait too long, but he wanted his profits, he gets a turn after a long wait in the queue. However, pressure from within the vehicle eventually caused him to start off with just 8 passengers instead of his regular 10-11. He wasn't happy. We all hoped that he would find some on the way, but that didn't happen.

So I thought I would pay him 2 persons' fare to make up a little for his loss. Then an idea struck. I asked all the passengers at the back, if each of them could contribute just 2 bucks, besides the usual fare. Some were not willing, which I can understand - college-going boys may not have a sizeable amount of pocket money, and those 2 bucks can mean 4 photocopies. But most agreed and I volunteered to collect the fare plus the contribution from 6 passengers including me.

When I got down at my stop, I handed the driver the money, currency notes for the regular fare and a stack of coins as a gift from us. He didn't say anything, just took the money. A guy at the back asked him if he was happy, as if to pacify him. This was the same guy who led the pressurising. The same guy who urged me, the only female in the van, to 'request' the driver to move. The same guy who thought I was asking only him to pay 2 bucks extra! The guy who told the driver, we were all like his kids and it's okay once in a while (!!!!!)

So this guy acted cool, "At least now you are happy...?" As I got down, I looked at the driver and told him he needn't be so pissed off after all. I saw a bright sweet smile on his face. There had been no bad blood anyway, but the bad mood was lifted and now things were good.

As the van revved up again to reach its destination, the cool college kid smiled at me and said, "Nice idea!"

I was grateful everyone got a chance to make the driver's day. It was not about losing out on fare for 2 extra passengers. It wasn't about 2 bucks that cost us all. It was about a kind gesture. It was about the joy felt by all of us in giving to this saddened man. That will stay in our memories for a long time, and hopefully inspire more kindness.