Of An Exquisite Experience

Finally legal!
Yes, it was my 21st birthday day before yesterday - the 1st of February. I'm legal as it is said once you cross this age barrier.
I'll start on a very different note from what this post it actually about because coming straight to the point, just doesn't fit.
A three day weekend thanks to Chaos (the IIMA Cultural Fest) saw me making a beeline out of Ahmedabad, to Udaipur this time. Yes, I missed Chaos, one of the best fun occasions in IIMA life, for a three day weekend at Udaipur, with a trip to Mt. Abu thrown in. Oh! Did I mention that the person most important to me came down from Delhi, to be with me on my birthday and for the trip.
Day 1. (30th)
I reached Udaipur at 3:30 am, a good four hours before her train was to reach, feeling extremely stoned and sleepy. A brief nap later, I was at the station waiting to welcome them (she came with her other best friend, a lady). To see her walking up, smiling like mad, hyper like a bee and pure, lit up a warmth I rarely feel these a days. We spent the rest of the sightseeing et al, I'll leave the details of the city to some other time. The palace, a crystal gallery, a beautiful sunset are some of the highlights.
Day 2.
We headed for Mt. Abu, braving bad roads, tons of dust and rally bus driving to reach there, and then immediately go out for shopping and touristy sightseeing. Went boating, had a beer, saw the sunset, ate and shopped for random things.
This was my birthday night, and it is enough to say it was amazing. All that they did, and what they planned but couldn't do, it was simply moving.
Day 3.
A tormenting bus journey back to Udaipur later, we were just whiling away time.
Their train left at 6:30pm, and I felt sad and alone like I haven't in a long time.
Had 4+ hours to kill.

THE EXPERIENCE PART
I withdrew some money, found an auto, a friendly looking Muslim guy with a white beard. I asked him to take me to a decent place to eat where I could have my own booze, as I was carrying some. We roamed around for a bit as I tried to find out such a place from friends who'd come here before. Soon he just said, 'Aap gadee mein hi pee lo uske baad khane ki jagah le chalunga' . This found me opening my beer and him taking me on lonely, dingy and dark streets of Udaipur. The silence was getting to me so I started small talk.
His name was Mohinuddin. He had three children, two daughters and an infant son. Both his daughters went to school. He was able to save about Rs 100 in a day, the school fees took away a sizeable Rs 1000 a month for both kids, there wasn't much chance to save. The beer half done, I was suddenly overcome by the desire to eat with him. Without thinking I asked him if he would have dinner with me. He agreed asked me what I'd like to eat. I told him to go to one of his favourite places wherever it may be. So we started the journey into old Udaipur to a place called Hotel A Rahmani. He ordered ghosht for himself and I took chilli chicken. Served with rumali roti's, the meal was truly delicious.
We spoke about his family, when and why his ancestors came here. He told me of when he's nearly lost his sister in the Ahmedabad riots. I gained my knowledge on 'Namaz', it's customs and such trivia.
I asked him to ask me anything he wanted. He seemed hesitant, so I went on and told him about my family. He gave my sister (in absentia of course) his blessings (she's getting married) and asked about the boy. I told him this and that. I asked him how is the marriage custom in his house now, what if his daughter likes someone, what if that someone isn't Muslim, etc etc.
Nothing I didn't expect. But it was nonetheless a moving experience to sit at that table with him, listening to all he had to talk about.
The meal taken care of, we continued in the auto. I asked if Muslims commonly ate paan. He said yes with such glee that I proposed that we get one each. I was pleasantly surprised when he offered to pay for the paan, and I refused then, but now think perhaps I should have let him.
We continued till we reached a silent place next to the lake, with a beautiful view of the Jag Mandir and the Palace. Soon enough the conversation begun. He told me of how he'd tried to help a drunken man get home, only to see his clothes bathed in liquor, something prohibited by religion and the Quran. He told me of his beliefs, his guru, his run-ins with gundas, how they helped each other and the likes.
We sat for a long time, oft in spells of silence, drinking in the beauty in front, the moment, the inexplicable warmth of it all.
We spoke of many other things, and soon I figured it was time I should head back to the bus stand.
I asked him to start towards the bus stand and he began the slow nearly reluctant drive back. The feeling was mutual. We reached soon enough, and I asked how much I should give him. He said 'Jo aapke man ko theek lage'. Totally at a loss, yet wanting to be nice, I gave him much more than the bill could have been.
He looked at me with a warm smile, again wished me a happy birthday, and my sister a happy marriage, and rode away.

The simple happiness I felt I cannot compare,
now a days that feeling so pure and so rare,
it was a time that shall never fade from memory lane,
that little walk with him on a different plane.

I hope I have many more such exquisite experiences.