I have been wanting to write about this for so long. And I have been kicking myself ever since. This happened in August 2013, and now its January 2014. Thats procrastination. But better late than never! I thought that this story is just too random, too unique and too special for me to just forget.
So here goes.
So it all started with a Malaysian dinner with my boss. I booked a table at Tuk Din so that my boss got a chance to eat good authentic Malaysian food before my internship comes to an end. To the dinner, he brought Bill, the company's advisor - who I only had the pleasure of meeting only at the very end of my stay at the company. But again, better late than never.
We got talking and with all honesty, he is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. A traveler, a lover of fishing, art, music who moonlights as a corporate advisor and sits on the board of advisors of my university hospital. He is just so random, and his stories of his travels were just so awe-inspiring and his knowledge of culture and religions mind-opening. He had the energy of a youthful teenager despite approaching retirement. And according to my boss, he enjoys long walks, bike rides and runs. What else do I have to say to convince you, dear reader, that he is awesome?
Towards the end of the dinner, I was telling him about my medical education. Like most people, he was pretty confused on why I agreed to take part in an internship in technology. So I explained, and told him about my many interests in many things. At the time, it was medical technology. So he said, he had a son who works in improving the IT in the NHS, and he suggested that I should definitely meet him. He said, that he, with a couple of friends organised a hackathon for medtech. In my head, I was saying, "No way, I was just about to contact the organiser of that exact hackathon to see if I could get involved somehow." In short, small world.
So after the dinner, he gave me his card and asked me to keep in touch. A few days later, he called me and said, "My son Ben is coming to my house tonight for dinner. You should come and you guys could talk about the hackathon." Since I hadn't any plans, I said ok sure. And he gave me his address. It took me awhile to find his house, but it was somewhere up north - had to take the Overground. He opened the door with a smile, and I entered into a very warm, kind of eclectic home with a kitchen that opens up to a big garden. I was surprised that there were quite a handful of people already in the garden eating. So Bill showed me to the table and right away, strangers who later became friends offered me fish and seafood which were caught by Bill and Ben on their fishing trip earlier that day. Fresh off the line!
I was then introduced to Bill's daughter, grandchildren, Ben, Ben's friends, Bill's friends, neighbours and some people who used to stay at Bill's house - basically many many people - more than I can remember. We ate and exchanged stories - they were intrigued that I came from Malaysia, a med student who will take philosophy etc etc. In between fish pasta, violin performances, fire shows and conversations, I forgot why I was there in the first place. Then a cake came out.
"Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear Bill.
Happy birthday to you."
And I was like, wait a minute. Its your birthday?
You would think that you would mention that before you invite someone you just met to your house.
But at the same time, I was touched because he invited me to share this day with him and his family and friends. I have just met the guy. And he turned 60, or was it 65. It really didn't matter. I told my new friends this - that I had just met Bill and that I didn't even know that it was his birthday - and much to my assurance, they said that that was very 'Bill' of Bill. He opens his home to everybody.
After a lovely evening, I caught a ride home with one of my new friends. I did talk to Ben in the end, and that later led to another (random) dinner with his doctor-tech friends in a Somalian restaurant in Kings Cross. I laid on my bed that night, trying to rationalise what had just happened. The thing is - I couldn't. Rationally, a person would not invite a stranger (me) to their intimate birthday party - especially someone who is of a totally different background and culture. Nevertheless, Bill did. He saw pass my head scarf, my ethnicity and my background and saw an interesting human being and a possible friend. If I learnt anything through this experience, it was that people don't give squat of what we look like or what we believe or don't believe, as long as we are good people.
I wish for more Bills in the world, and I wish Bill a happy and long life. Ameen.
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