By SAVITRI NARAYANAN‘How come it’s morning so soon!’, thought Sumesh as the alarm went on in full volume. It was highly tempting to switch off the alarm, close eyes and slip back to sleep! Sumesh resisted the temptation and got out of bed.
‘To cheer up this cold morning, nothing like a cup of strong, hot coffee!’, he thought while heading for the coffee filter in the kitchen.
It had been a few years by now that Sumesh worked as a steward with an airline. For the past two years he was posted at the same base, shared the living quarters with the same friends and was generally having a good time. Their colleague Thomas was getting a promotional transfer to Mumbai and was due to leave by the weekend. In celebration of their friendship, the previous evening a few of them had met up at their favourite restaurant near the beach.
“I’ve an early morning flight to report to!”, Gaurav had said.
“Me too!”, Sumesh had laughed, “You can’t fly away leaving me behind!”
“I’ve a morning flight too!”, Thomas had said, “Let’s go home and get some sleep!”
With all the good intentions, it must have been pretty late that he slept but Sumesh was ready on time. In his spotless uniform, with briefcase in hand he was at the gate by the time the taxi pulled in.
Their airlines and the taxi services had an agreement between them that ensured the staff’s local transportation needs were met. Sumesh would get an intimation on his phone with particulars of the taxi that was allotted to him and its driver. By the time he locked the house, slipped into his shoes and picked up his briefcase, the taxi would be at the gate! By now the faces of some drivers were getting familiar. They had a warm greeting and often exchanged notes regarding their families.
“Good morning, sir!”, greeted the taxi driver as he held the back door open.
Sumesh returned the greeting and got in.
‘Half an hour to go!’, he thought as he leaned back in the seat. It was an easy drive to the airport especially as they drove in the opposite direction. Sumesh felt a mean sense of pleasure and had a laugh as he watched the morning traffic.
To his surprise Sumesh noted that the taxi was swerving and losing speed.
“What’s the matter?”, he asked the driver in slight alarm.
The driver seemed unwell as he signalled and tried to tell something but no sound came out. Fortunately, he was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road and switch off the engine before he collapsed, his head bent over the steering wheel.
‘What’s the matter? What’s wrong with him? A heart-attack?’, Sumesh thought as he opened the passenger door and came out. Misgivings rose in his mind as seconds ticked by.
‘What to do? What’s the right course of action!’, he searched his own mind for an answer.
Sumesh was relieved to note that the driver was alive. At the same time, he was struggling to breathe. His eyes were half closed and the body was motionless. Was he having a heart-attack? What to do?
What surfaced in Sumesh’s mind was what they had learnt in school. As an NCC candidates, their group had done some training in first-aid. Whatever he remembered of artificial breathing exercises he administered to the driver. It was obvious that he needed immediate medical attention.
Sumesh rose to the occasion and waved to a taxi that passed by.
“Let’s take him to the nearest hospital!”
“Sure, sir!”, said the driver. A passerby also stopped who willingly helped them to carry the driver to the other taxi.
“Hopefully he’ll be alright and back driving his taxi soon”, said the driver as they drove to the hospital. He voiced out his thoughts as if he was talking to himself. It seemed as if there was no need for any inputs from the listener.
“But if there’s any delay or anything serious happens, we’ll hand over the key to the taxi association’s office!”
Sumesh was impressed by the sense of responsibility and forethought of the driver. Once in the hospital, the Casualty department took charge and got into action. The trolley- – was rolled in – -and the patient was taken inside. The clerk at the counter pulled out some forms which the driver and Sumesh filled in. “I am on duty, need to reach the airport!”, Sumesh glanced at his watch, “Have an outgoing flight to board!”
“Sure sir, you go ahead and join duty”, said the driver politeness and respect evident in his voice, “I’ll be here in the hospital and if need be getting help from our taxi office; let me have your telephone number, will keep you posted!”
Sumesh was pleased to note the presence of mind and helpful attitude of the taxi driver. He called his friend, a fellow driver and arranged for a taxi to take Sumesh to the airport.
“Thank God for all these people who reach out in their own ways!”, thought Sumesh as he checked in on time. Soon he was in the cabin with the food van stacked with breakfast delicacies. As he filled and passed on the food and drinks to the passengers, Sumesh felt an additional warmth in his own smile and tone.
(Savitri Narayanan is a retired educationist at present in Goa. A mother and grandmother, loves reading, writing and travelling.)
