You inspired me- Part 1

I remember this day very well. I, in fact, can never forget this day. The 24th day of February, 2012. This day gave me courage to fight the odds of my life. This day taught me what it is to live. This day put forth the meaning of life to me. This inspiring day I met young Veer Deol.
Veer was born in Mumbai and eventually shifted to Kerala when he was 10years old. He admired nature like no one did and was very young, maybe in his early 20s. His parents divorced each other when he was in college and since then, he preferred living alone. He had an elder sister, to whom he was very close in his family. She lived in Kochin.
I met Veer, not at my Chai shop, but on the middle of the highway, when I was riding back to my shop from the town. He asked me for a lift. He looked tired and but not dirty. He had short hair and had an unshaven beard. He carried with himself a rucksack bag, perfect for his travels. He looked like he deserved a lift more than anyone on the highway that day, trust me.
"Any place closeby to rest?", he asked, in hindi. I understood the language well as I worked at Raichur, a small town near Pune with my uncle. I was unemployed and he decided to lift me up in life with that wonderful job of a table-cleaner. I was sarcastic, but whatever I am today is because of him.
"Yes, sit", I told him. We drove to my tea-shop. I had a small room at my shop where I slept at nights if I got late. I would not mind letting Veer stay there, if he asked. He looked matured and strong for his age, not physically but mentally. His eyes had reason as to why he stood there. Why he was on one of the hundred highways in our country with a bag and without any contact with the outside world? What made him let go off everything? I wanted to ask him all these questions and many more, but I instead said, "Here, take this room. You can rest here".
"Can I spend the night here?", he asked me with a soft voice. He looked like a loved kid. "Yes! Definitely", I told him and handed him a blanket. "What's your name, son?" I asked him. "Veer Deol, bhaiya. Call me Veer", he replied. I nodded and left. He slept soon, and woke up just in time for the dinner.

Singara Chennai.

As I wondered where I had kept the jar of sugar last night, I heard Raghav's voice nearing the shop. He was with a new friend, unknown to me. I had not seen him here anytime before.
"Two teas, Anna. My account!", he said. This was his habit- "My account". What Raghav used to practice was something different and logical. He would have his account with me for whatever he brought from the shop including cigarettes, tea, etc., and he would clear the account at the end of the week. I trusted him, as for the past 3 years, he had not missed once.

"Who is he?" I asked, as Raghav came to take their teas. "1st year, Anna. Very good boy. His name is Aurav. He is from your city, Chennai!". As soon as he said Chennai, I felt an understanding grow towards Aurav, as if I had knew him all along.

Chennai or let me call it Madras the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is where I grew up. Madras is a brilliant city, not only because I grew up there but also because I have seen and felt the beauty of Madras. Those beaches where you see filmy couples sit and romance or the ripped Tamil men with thick mustaches playing Rugby fiercely, little later to realise that they are all policemen and it is their past-time, that is Madras for you. The temples my mom took me to, the fairs where I played my heart out, the "Pongal pandigai" as we call it and the vibrant food dishes, made me fall for Madras. So why did I end up here? I will let you know soon. 

"Oh yes, Madras. Nice..", I murmured and smiled.