He Said She Said

It was a sunny morning and Ram was headed to his Guru’s ashram 200 km away from Mumbai. He was driving alone and was quite uneasy about it. 

He was always worried about making these trips alone, fearing a breakdown or any other incident on the highway. He always tried to get someone to accompany him, but this time there was no one available. 

He reached the outskirts of Mumbai and made a turn into McDonalds for his regular breakfast and bathroom break. He always stopped there as they had really clean bathrooms. He had a McMuffin and a strawberry milkshake and went to the bathroom and the pit stop took less than fifteen minutes. 

As he was getting out of the parking lot, he saw a young woman with her thumb out asking him for a ride. She asked him if he could give her a ride to Pune. 

Ram was wary about doing it, as he had heard many stories. He noticed that she was wearing a Sai Baba locket. A good sign he thought and agreed to give her a ride. 

She got into the car and said “Thanks so much. I am Sheetal.” 

He said, “No problem. I am Ram.” 

He drove the car onto the expressway and was thinking of something to say when she said, “I noticed the picture of your Guru on your dashboard and thought it was safe to  ask you for a ride.” 

He smiled and said “I noticed your Sai Baba locket and thought it was safe to give you a ride, Hahahaha.” 

They both had a good laugh. The ice was broken, now they could be themselves.  

They drove in silence for a while and then Ram asked “So, how has your spiritual journey been?” 

She smiled and said ”It has been good. I was born into a family who were Baba’s devotees and Baba’s blessings have carried me all through my life and I have had a very happy life. How about yours? You look like you have had to struggle to find your path.” 

He was spooked and wondered if it was so obvious. 

He said “Mine has been a twisted and winding road and I am happy that my Guru found me. He was with me even when I was not initiated but I did no know it then.” 

“Ya, that is how it happens sometimes” she said, “Did you not feel protected even in your darkest moments?” 

Ram thought about it for a moment and said “It was a very hard time, but I prayed for help and I got it. The funny thing is that my prayers have never gone unanswered. All through my childhood till today, whenever I have needed help, it has come.” 

“That is a very good sign; of a good soul. You are blessed to realise that” she said. 


The conversation continued and they got to the ghats and crossed them and were on their way to Pune engrossed in their conversation. 

The hills flew by as did the road and before they knew it, they were getting off the expressway. 

He asked her “Where in Pune do you want to be dropped off?” 

She said “Hadapsar.” 

He was glad because that was on the other side of Pune, closer to his destination and was glad that he would have her company for most of the way. 

They crossed the city by taking the outer route and chatted about spiritual influences. 

He said “I have loved Sai Baba all my life and Baba’s words for all devotees were Devotion and Patience, and I have lived by them ever since I read them.” 

“You are blessed that you have taken the influence of all the spiritual masters about whom you have read. The spiritual path is not for the dogmatic” she said. 

They were passing Hadapsar and she said, “You can stop on the left over here. This is where I will get down.” 

He pulled over and said, “You will not believe, I was so worried about making this trip alone and it was so wonderful to have your company for the trip.” 

She turned to get out of the car and said “Our Gurus provide for us even when we forget to ask” she smiled and said “Om Sai Ram” and closed the door behind her. 

He drove the car ahead and looked in the rear view to see her for the last time and there was no sign of her. He turned his head in all directions and could not see any sign of her. He smiled and thanked his Guru and continued onward towards the ashram.

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