Robin is the name of the person I met today on my way to the Bombay (soon going to be Mumbai) High Court. I must be meeting quite a few people in a day but this small story needs a specific mentioning here in this blog because I intend to know sometime in my future that whether I am myself or I am a fool. I am not confused but I need to know whether I should be what I am, or do I need to change.
When I left from office today, I thought I was already late for an appearance before the Prothonotary. But then when you are running late, then everything else has to fall apart. So, on my way I am stopped by a lean guy wearing a brown nike cap and a black t-shirt having a message that “I do not work here, I just a consultant”. He asked me (in a very good british accent), “Are you a lawyer?”. I looked at him and told myself “don’t I look like one having wearing the black jacket, white shirt and the band?”. But then I told him yes I am a lawyer. Then very hesitantly he asked me if I knew the address of tourism bureau. He then explained that he is looking for a tourism bureau like they have it in England (I do not know if they actually have it) through which he can ask his brother to wire some money. I said you have western union money transfer and all but there is no state agency through which you could do that. Later on he told me that he too was a solicitor and was robbed yesterday by a bunch of guys who tried selling “Hashish” to him and took away his wallet, passport and every other thing he was carrying. I first thought if the man thought I was a fool and would believe in his story. But if he thought so, then he may not be wrong. I asked him how could I help? To which he said if I could message his brother Kevin that he was in trouble and if kevin could wire some money for travelling to Goa by bus (I do not know to which account) and that he would call him later from some other number. And then he told me his name –ROBIN. I messaged his brother and wrote down my number in a slip for him to contact me later to find out if his brother had replied. Then I rushed for the court, attended the matter and came back. His brother did not reply.
At 2:30, I got a call from unknown number and it was Robin. He asked me he could call his brother from my mobile if I could help him in getting money through western union money transfer as he did not have any identification proof. I gave him my office address and asked him to come. In the mean while I thought that the man is really in need and I should help him atleast by buying him a ticket for Goa. I searched and found details. When he came, we tried calling his brother who, he said, was a forensic scientist. His brother disconnected the call. Then I told him, “Look Robin, I believe that you are genuinely and I need and so I will help you. I told him that either I could give him cash or book a ticket for him. He said he was good with anything. I then decided to give him 600 bucks cash and plus 50 bucks extra if he needed to make a call or use internet from somewhere. He asked me if he could make arrangement for returning money to me tomorrow. I bluntly told him that I do not care about money and that it was important for him to reach his friends/folks at Goa. He thanked me and once again told me that he shall arrange for returning money to me tomorrow. And then he left.
This may not be a very interesting story. I know 9/10 people would not have believed Robin. I know I may be (am) a fool. A very big fool who can be fooled very easily. I can buy any story or even silliest of arguments. And the best thing is that I and always conscious and realise when I am being fooled by someone. I always find out when someone is lying to me. But still I do not confront the person. In case of Robin, I knew there was a huge possibility that Robin would be lying that. I had no reason to believe him. But then I thought what if the man was really in need? I would prefer losing 600 bucks to a liar than not helping someone badly in need. I do not know where Robin is and if he is really on a bus to Goa. He may have lied to me. Those 600 bucks may neither make him rich nor make me poor. If he lied to me then he would be rolling a joint somewhere, but will be happy. And irrespective of then fact if he was lying or not, I am at least satisfied. I am waiting for tomorrow to find out whether I am a fool or I am myself. That whether should I change, or be myself !
