One such moment I experienced about a year ago.
After grueling days of work, even though it was the festive season, I decided to hop in a bar for a quick bite and drink. While I was there, I saw one young man tapping his fingers on his thighs to the tune of music. He happened to be my server for that night. While I feasted on the delicious food, recommended by him, I exchanged pleasantries with him. Only a few tables were occupied at the restaurant, so it became easier for me to talk to the man.
His name was Sahil- A young man, in his early 20s. There was something about him, I couldn’t decipher. I assumed he must be a student trying to the extra bucks but when I spoke to him I understood how far he was from home.
Eyes filled with dreams and hopes, he spoke his heart out. Wearing the warmest of smiles, I had ever seen he shared how a guy from Assam landed in a bar in Pune.
The pandemic hit some families harder than they showed on the news.
He explained how he currently stays with few men and barely makes enough to stay afloat. “Why aren’t you finding a new job?” I asked.
“Sir” he nodded, almost with a pang of guilt, and said, “I want to be a musician, and the bar is the place I get to see a live performance of musicians for free, so”
Well, that hit a chord in my heart.
I have a close affinity towards music. In my college days, I tried my best to play the guitar however I never could get enough time to practice. As life took over, the strings of the guitar began to rust and the most unique-sounding musical instrument became a decorative item on my wall.
I, without missing a beat, asked him to show his performance videos. He confessed, “Well my guitar is not that good, I might not sound that well.”
however, I insisted. When I saw him stringing the guitar and singing, I was bowled over. an Idea took root in my heart. how would it be, if he used my guitar to perform?
I shared the specifications of my guitar with him and said, would you like to have it? with the widest of the grin, all he could muster was, “Really? you’d give it to me? after all, we just met”
Then I told him about how I share the passion for music and my guitar just like him, “I would prefer to be in hands than just hanging on the wall, even if those hands aren’t mine. I just wanted to ensure those hands are skilled!”
So the date was set. Sahil traveled all the way to the other end of the city to collect the guitar. It was 9th Nov 21, when my guitar was reborn within the hands of a skilled musician. When he first touched my guitar, his eyes lit up. It was as if a kid was unwarping his favorite candy. I could feel, all he wanted to do was just to strum the strings but it needed a bit of work. the old strings needed to be changed. I forgot the count of times, he said thank you to me and my mother. His heartfelt gratitude touched me.
I told him that I truly believe that the universe is filled with unlimited resources. The higher power decided that he deserved a new guitar. I know there were many invisible hands in my journey of life, which shaped my life to be what it is today. It is only natural to reciprocate the same. I was just an instrument to fulfill the wishes. Who am I to take credit for this mysterious alignment of our stars?
May god, bring him all the good fortune in his journey in music. I believe Sahil has upscaled his performance and has recorded many YouTube videos.
Well, music is surely his strong front but his humility makes him shine even brighter.
P.S.- this is the pic he put as part of Wassup Status on 9th Nov 22. When he becomes famous, I will print this pic and make him sign it. Insha’Allah!