Giving in to my extreme laziness as much as I could, I finally dragged myself out of home as the cellphone bill payment deadline approached the last few hours. (surprisingly so, I still dont pay it online). As I closed in towards the 24 Hrs Vodafone Payment Kiosk, a human figure began to emerge, though blunt, behind the moisture covered glass door. It seemed to be a young guy attending the Kiosk, cramped in a chair, fast asleep. He had well-adjusted himself though in an awkward position and with somewhat difficulty, in a place where there wasn't enough to even stand comfortably.
With the usual disgusting look (as to how such employees behave at work), I opened the door. In an instant, he got up, straightening his clothes which had now got all wrinkled and immediately started attending me for my mobile bill payment. His gestures seemed very humble which made me reconsider my early formed opinion about him.
As he continued with my payment, I questioned, "Dont you get bored sitting all the time when there are no customers? Why dont you read something and add value to yourself ?"
Handing over the receipt to me, he spoke hesitantly, eyes still not meeting mine and staring down at the floor. "Yes, I do. I have my study books in my bag." His voice felt soft, as if there was a sense of excruciating pain behind it. I decided to extend the conversation further.
"So you are a student?" And.. he started murmuring that went on for quite a while. He said, he studied in Class 12 (which would make him about 17 years old), would attend school in daytime and work in a nightshift (8 hrs) at this kiosk. By this time, I had already started feeling ashamed for the opinions about him, that I walked into the Kiosk with.
He went onto explain how his family had gotten into financial problems and continuing studies had become a question mark. But he wouldn't budge. So he took up a night shift and would bring his books along, studying late hours when there were no customers. He went on speaking as if nobody had ever bothered to ask him about his life. There seemed to be liveliness entering into what I had seen, only a few minutes ago, cramped in a chair and half-dead.
He spoke further, as to how today being a Sunday he would have to do a double shift - 16 hours (which explains the sleepy state in which I faced him). Slowly and steadily the frustration started coming out. He talked about the weekend before, how he had come in on a Sunday at 3 pm and was working for 30 hours at a stretch, till Monday 9 pm. Reading the look of 'Why' on my face, in a very resigned manner, he slowly added, "the guy to replace me never came."
By now, I had developed the highest level of respect for a 17 year old, someone I had looked down upon, only a few minutes ago. Not to mention how I felt about myself. Feeling ashamed was only a softer version for it.
Quickly bringing myself back into the situation I was standing in, I spoke a few words in his admiration, reminding him, how he was different and well above others of his age and far more than that, setting an example for people who want to study. The deeply distressed face gave in to a small smile. Guess, that was the least I could do....
