While looking for a autorickshaw from Charminar to Imlibun I saw this one auto coming up with an aged Muslim driver. Something about him made me realise he was a decent guy and that he would not overcharge or try to fleece - he had an honest air about him. True to my guess, he asked for 120 bucks (as opposed to 200 bucks in the earlier case) Got in and headed out to the Imlibun bus stand.
We got talking and he asked why I was there in the old city and if I was new to Hyderabad. I said I was not new but was discovering the city only now, especially the Old city. He asked if I had biryani in the Old City and I asked where they served the best biryani. He said Shadab without blinking an eye. Then he said 'the best biryani is at my house'. Then he went into raptures on how they make it at home and how zabardast it is.
I said I would have loved to come to his house for a meal. 'Abhi bole to palta detun,' he said which translates to 'I'll turn the vehicle around if you tell me now'. So pleased was he that I asked him about a meal at his house that he was ready to take 10 bucks less, wanted to drop me right at the steps though the cops were stopping us etc.
'Aise dil mein mohabbat hain so aadmi mushkil se milte saab,' he said. 'Mile toh nahin chodna'. (It's difficult to find people who have love in their hearts sir, we should not let them go easily).
I loved his sentiment, his intensity. His search for mohabbat or love in all his interactions. I envied it. I asked him his name. 'Babar Khan,' he said with a smile that lit his wizened eyes. He did not have a mobile so no numbers were exchanged. And in those few moments, he showered all the love in the world on me for just saying I would love to eat a meal at his house.
Babar Khan, I wish you all the mohabbat in the world my friend. And may you enjoy many more of your biryanis at home. And feel my presence along with.
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