An innocent prayer!

Then, I was 8 years I guess. Me and my kid bro used to freak out after school, and return home before mom came back. It was a rule that we should be seen with our homework books as she came in or else.....

We had a nanny called BABY! Believe me, she was no baby, quite grown-up for her age, anyways that's a different aspect.

Though it was a norm for me and her to have little arguments and fights, it peaked one day. 

We were playing when she suddenly came to me and said she was going to catch the city bus (the last one - which left at 5.00 PM) and I have to go home alone. I was purposely told that because that day, I didn't have my brother or the neighbor kid playing with me and I was super scared to go home alone. I argued that I can't be left alone and would complain to mom but showed no signs of staying back. I had only 15 minutes left. I pleaded yet no result.

Last 10 minutes. The driver had come and was waiting for the people.

Every morning while going to my swimming class, I used to hear the morning Namaz but never paid much attention. At that moment I don't know why I thought of it, maybe because I grew very anxious and wanted to do something to stop her from leaving me alone. I tried to remember the lyrics - I'm a Hindu and I never learnt Urdu so I doubt if whatever prayer that came to my mind, made any sense. 

I kept repeating it with emotion as if my whole life depends on it ( I'm 34 now but I still remember this incident because of its innocence and intensity) and asking God to stop her. (Thinking back-I don't know why I prayed like that). She asked me if I had gone mad and as to why I was uttering something illogical. I told her, I was praying to stop her. She gave a cold small laugh, went, and sat inside the waiting bus.

After 10 minutes or so, the driver yelled that engine broke down and won't leave for the city that day. This was nothing short of a miracle for me. I was shocked beyond belief and sighed relief. 

Suddenly, I felt fearless and went back home alone, leaving her in that broke-down bus.

When she came back, I didn't utter a word but she asked me as to why I walked down alone and complained to mom. Surprisingly, mom didn't scold me and just instructed me to be careful.

Looking back, it was a very small incident but the TRIUMPHANT feeling it gave that day, I can't forget. The genunity of a small child and the innocent prayer whose lyrics don't make sense speak a lot.