We were walking home from a friend's house the other day - the couple just had a baby and we were eager to witness how much she had grown. For months now, A has spoken about this fried chicken place called Sam's Chicken. Every time we visited these particular friends, we would pass a branch of this chain, but every single time we would not go in and try. We were either too tired, or too full or weren't in the mood for fried chicken - so we have put off trying it for a very long time.
But this time, it was an ideal time to tuck in. We had had dinner, but that was a while ago - we had physical gastric room to spare. Our friend even offered us a lift to the station, which we politely declined in order to visit the shop on our way back. All this time, we have hyped this experience in our minds - the juiciness of the chicken, the hot spices of its marinade married to its crisply, fried skin. Needless to say, we were really excited to finally complete this foodie mission.
In our purchase, we were modest - only ordering six wings to take away. Thankfully our gluttony didn't overpower us that day. They packed it in a takeaway box and brown paper bag. Still hot in our clutches, we happily walked to the station - mission accomplished.
A yard away from reaching the trains, there were two men who approached us. "Assalamualaikum brother and sister," one greeted. "We have been walking everywhere for a bite to eat, can you please help us, we are really hungry." They were thin, tall and looked like they were from the Middle East. Behind the desperation in their voices, there was kindness in their eyes. It was obvious that they were genuinely seeking help.
Without missing a beat, A handed our brown paper bag of chicken wings to them. So fast, in fact, that it not only took me by surprise, but also the two men. "The whole bag? Are you sure?" they asked. In which, A answered, "Yes, please, take it." Instant smiles were plastered on their faces, and they even fist pump the sky. "Thank you so much," they said as they hastily walked away to enjoy their rezqi for the day.
There and then, I was reminded why I love A. It was in his ease in helping others, in his willingness to share what he had with complete strangers and his unattached nature to material things. He could have thought that after all the anticipation and wait, we deserved to enjoy our purchase. That that purchase was ours, and ours alone. But he didn't, in an instant, he must have thought, we have waited this long, we therefore can wait a little bit longer.
In the end, we didn't have to wait too long as a few days after that encounter, we ordered a delivery from Sam's Chicken to our house. The verdict? It really is nothing special. Good, but not great. So I am doubly grateful that A did what he did that day.
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