Rohan and Sheela were dead tired after an entire day’s shopping, so they decided to grab a cup of coffee. They placed their order and were chatting, when through the glass door Rohan spotted a shabby looking kid, smiling and waving at him. He was carrying a small plastic bag and was carrying a shoe brush in hand. He would be about ten years old and was wearing a pair of shorts and a worn out shirt with two buttons missing, which exposed his thin stick like legs. When their eyes locked, he pointed towards Rohan’s feet, suggesting that he get his footwear polished. Rohan mouthed that he was wearing sandals, as he couldn’t possibly scream through the glass door, and that he didn’t need to get them polished. But instead of making a face, the little boy simply smiled, gave him an understanding nod and started looking for other customers.

They kept looking at him now and then. Rohan was impressed by his cheerful attitude, so he decided to offer the boy some money. Sheela volunteered, but promptly returned only to tell Rohan that the boy said he is not a beggar, and would only take money if he offers his services. And that he speaks in broken English. That was something Rohan didn’t expect from a shoe shine boy. He was bowled over by the boy’s self-respect and dignity. Rohan thought that he would at least get his sandals brushed, albeit without any polish. When the boy looked in his direction again, he gestured for him to wait.

Rohan and Sheela drifted back to their conversation and by the time they finished their coffee, they had somehow forgotten about the little boy. But the boy didn’t. As they stepped out of the restaurant, they both heard some one call out. “Sir, Madam.” They turned around to find the boy eagerly standing with his humble belongings. He quickly came over and put his bag by his side. A peek into his bag showed two brushes, two boxes of polish and a piece of cloth. The boy took out his brush and started brushing Rohan’s sandals while Sheela sat at the café stairs.

“What is your name?” Rohan asked.

“Raju,” he said without looking up.

“Why do you polish shoes? How can your parents allow you to do this?” Sheela enquired.

“Me have to take money home.”

“Why? Your father doesn’t work?” Rohan asked, curious to know his story.

“No. he drinks. He comes home drunk and beats my mother and me. He spends money me make in drinks.” Raju looked sad but determined to make his situation better.

“How do you speak English? Do you go to school?” Rohan inquired.

“Yes me do. Me go to school in the morning and work in the evening. They teach us to speak English these days and me try practice with people.”

He had a spark when he spoke about school. Rohan had a feeling that the boy would do well for himself if given a chance. Raju wanted to ask them something, but seemed a little unsure. But finally he did, though with hesitation.

“Can me ask you something?”

“Sure go ahead. Tell me” Rohan said, enctheiraging him to go on.

“Would you…umm…buy me shoe polishing kit?”
 
For a moment Rohan thought that all he has said so far was all an act. The boy continued.

“If I have kit, people come to me, than I going to them. And also they pay me the money that they pay other boys. Now I don’t have proper kit, they pay me anything they want. Sometime nothing at all.”

Rohan understood his problem. They both felt bad for the boy and then and there decided to buy him a kit, not right away, but next week. Rohan started,

“Ok, here’s the thing. Next week...” the moment Rohan said next week, Raju gave an expression that meant that he did not believe in what Rohan said. His eyes rolled up and he sort of looked away. So Rohan asked,

“What happened?”

“Everyone says same thing.”

“Does everyone sits and talk to you? Does everyone show genuine interest in you and your story?”

He said a well thought out no. So Rohan continued,

“Next week, same time, we would come and buy you your kit. I promise you. How much does it cost?”

He seemed convinced and said, “Rs.250.”

They bid goodbye to the boy and left, making a mental note to remember their promise. A week passed. They had to go to a party on that Sunday evening, but they still decided to go to the coffee shop lane, locate the boy and buy his kit. They had a good feeling in their hearts. They felt good that they have the capacity to help others in whatever small way they could.  They were walking down the lane while looking for the boy. The market was buzzing with people. They feared the possibility of missing him. And just when they were about to give up, they spotted Raju walking by with the familiar plastic bag. They both held each other’s hand in excitement.

“Hey. Is that him? I think it is him.”

“Yes. Call him”, said Sheela with the same eagerness that Rohan was going through.

Rohan called him twice before he heard him. While he walked towards them, they were expecting him to show some sort of recognition, but he seemed absolutely blank. His eyes were misty and he acted as if he was looking at Rohan for the first time.

“Don’t you remember me? We met near that coffee shop last week?”

“I meet many people. I don’t remember everyone?” he replied.

Rohan was taken aback by the reply but went on.

“We had promised that we would meet you today.”

“No, I don’t know you” and just when Rohan had begun feeling awkward about the whole thing, Raju added, “but I know madam.”

Rohan beamed with relief that at least he remembered Sheela. Rohan was about to remind him of their promise when he said, “how can I forget madam, after all she got me my shoe kit.” Rohan immediately gave Sheela a puzzled look, to which she gave him one too.

“So what did you with it?” Rohan asked curiously.

“I have kept it home.”

“Why? You said you wanted to sit and work.”

“The municipal officers didn’t allow me. They say I not supposed to sit here.”

He was answering absentmindedly and seemed lost and spaced out. His eyes were emotionless and face expressionless. The smile from the other day was inconspicuous and the spark in his eyes was missing too. He looked like he was in a different world. And come to think of it they had almost bought him a kit.

Did they feel cheated? They couldn’t tell. But Rohan did think that Raju actually tricked them into believing his sob story. For all you know he must be saying the same thing to zillion other people, who most probably would have bought it. He could be getting the kits and then selling it at a higher price to others. Rohan didn’t know what the deal was. Or there could be some criminal gang behind this whole thing. But one thing Rohan did realize was that Raju was under the influence of drugs and that saddened him. His body language, his eyes were telling him that. Imagining a young boy taking drugs at such a tender age was painful for him. God knows what else he must be into he thought. By this time people had started staring at them and sensing trouble, they left the boy at the spot and walked away. On their way back they discussed all that the boy could be doing or has possibly done already, including his past, his present and his future. They couldn’t come to any conclusion.

The boy had sowed the seed of doubt in them. Rohan stopped trusting people. And Sheela stopped believing in her ability to spot the needy from the cunning. There were so many unanswered questions that they were left with. They had gone to do some good and it didn’t happen. They drove back disturbed and shaken, never to return to their favorite coffee shop again.