Eye Opener

My temple visits are always with an ulterior motive, if not many. There is an Indian restaurant adjacent to the temple that specializes in cuisine from Karnataka but my primary motive is making fun of people. The temple attracts desis from all over and I observe people a lot and it doesn't stop at observing. I have to make relentless comments about them to friend(s) who are with me. One of my friends once asked "Do you have to make fun of people even at the temple?". The question didn't make sense to me, what's the difference? I like to think they are harmless comments - "Look at that guy, I think he escaped from the zoo", "Look at this guy, he's clicking a picture of a flower!", "Look at that guy, if he paid $10 more, the kurta would have covered his toes". And I make sure it's almost inaudible.

One such visit, after having had a heavy meal at the restuarant, we hit the temple. The visit usually lasts five minutes. I'm usually on my way out when people who came in with me are still just getting out their cars. So, after my usual routine (which includes saying a quick prayer while thinking of which bar to go to in the evening, passing comments, making fun of the preist), I sit on the floor for about thirty seconds with my eyes closed. Let's not get into what's going through my mind. Even God's jaw probably drops. Anyway, during this visit, I opened my eyes to see a kid standing infront of me staring into my eyes. She was probably 3-years-old and a wee bit shorter than me when I was sitting with my legs folded. She had a broken right arm and a cast around it. She didn't stop looking me in the eye. It made me highly uncomfortable because I don't know what to say to kids. Her parents stood next to her and didn't say a word. I tried to small-talk the kid but she didn't seem interested. I don't blame her one bit. Finally, while continuing to look me in the eye she asked "Why?".

I have no idea what the kid meant but I haven't slept in peace since.